CHAPTER IV 



THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 



The use of the saddle is common wherever horses are in 

 existence, no matter what the type or character of animal. Of 

 the various classes used, the one which has the most highly devel- 

 oped movement adapted to the saddle and furnishes the most 

 grace of motion and comfort for rider is the American saddle 

 horse. This horse does not as yet represent a fixed breed, but 

 through the character of his breeding and action he possesses 

 much that is interesting to the student of horses. 



The history of the American saddle horse extends back into 

 Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri more intimately 

 than elsewhere, for in these states the active work of his devel- 

 opment has been conducted. Much of this breeding has been 

 done in Kentucky, hence the common term " Kentucky saddle 

 horse." Early in the history of Kentucky, when railways were 

 unknown and poor roads common, horseback riding was univer- 

 sal. The early saddle horses were hard-gaited, and this resulted 

 in the selection of the better type of Thoroughbreds, easy of gait 

 and light of foot, some of which found their way into Kentucky 

 from Virginia. A few easy moving mares, with an ambling or 

 slow pacing gait, were sought for and found many years ago, and 

 to them Thoroughbred saddle stallions of easy movement were 

 bred. The pacing blood came in part from Canada and New 

 England, and so involved some Morgan breeding. Thus by 

 selection there developed a class of very easy-gaited saddlers 

 peculiar to Kentucky and adjacent states. Through much care 

 and selection a variety of gaits developed from this breeding, 

 thus giving special distinction to the American saddle horse. 



The influence of Thoroughbred blood on the American saddle 

 horse is interestingly brought out by investigations made by Mr. 

 John H. Ward. He found that the 1081 horses registered in 



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