CHAPTER IX 

 THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 



Like many of the breeds of horses, the American Saddle 

 horse takes its name from the purpose for which it is pro- 

 duced. This breed, although of recent origin, provides 

 greater comfort for the rider than that of any other breed. 



Origin of the American Saddle horse. — This breed is of 

 American origin, and is the outgrowth of necessity. In 

 the early days before improved roads or railroads were 

 established, traffic was largely by horseback, along the 

 trails, through the forests, over unbroken and almost 

 impassable roads. Such conditions demanded a sure- 

 footed, sturdy horse that could travel long distances at a 

 steady rate of speed. Out of this need grew the Amer- 

 ican Saddle horse, rather undeveloped and hard gaited 

 at first, but by the use of better sires, largely Thorough- 

 breds, there has evolved a horse of magnificent type, 

 capable of going a number of easy and steady gaits. 



The breed was developed largely in Virginia, Kentucky, 

 Tennessee and Missouri, though Canadian horses were 

 used to some extent. So much of the development has 

 taken place in Kentucky that the breed is sometimes 

 referred to as the "Kentucky Saddle horse." To improve 

 the gait, easy-going mares were selected and bred to 

 Thoroughbred stallions of easy movement. This cross 

 resulted in a smooth, easy-gaited offspring, whose gait 

 was still further improved by mating with pacing and 

 ambling stallions from Canada and New England. 



Influence of the Thoroughbred in developing the 

 American Saddle horse. — Of the i,o8i horses registered 

 in Volume I (first edition) of the American Saddle Horse 

 Stud Book, J. H. Ward found that 879 contained Thor- 

 oughbred blood, as follows : 



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