Today’s blog topic puts the spotlight on a grievance of mine: the misunderstanding and misuse of the term “Sport Type”.
I’ve noticed this trend within the saddlebred industry, and it really irks me. I guess I could admit to taking offense on a number of levels. First (and this might sting a bit), a lot of times the use of this term is just plain wrong. Additionally, its misuse adds to the general perception by other equine disciplines that the saddlebred industry is somewhat ignorant and greatly insular. Finally, I take personal offense to the insinuation that a “sport type” horse doesn’t need specific physical attributes in order to succeed in what truly are the ultimate tests of athleticism, intelligence, and tractability.
Let’s start at the beginning, where all things should. I submit that the majority of those within the saddlebred industry don’t fully understand what a sport type horse is. For the record, here is what a five second search on google provides, courtesy of Wikipedia:
Sport horse, or Sporthorse, is a term used to describe a type of horse, rather than any particular breed. The term generally refers to horses bred for the traditional Olympic equestrian sporting events of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. The precise definition varies. In the United States, horses used in hunt seat and show hunter competition are often classed as sport horses, whereas the British show hunter is classified as a show horse. Horses used for western riding disciplines, Saddle seat, or any form of horse racing are generally not described as sport horses.
Nowhere in this definition does it say “Horses who were selectively bred for conformation, which enhances the movement desired in the saddleseat ring, and then fail in this chosen field of competition, are considered to be of the ‘Sport Type’ of horse.” This is a persistent phenomenon that I have witnessed more times than not. It makes me sad, too, because I wonder what is to become of the horse with the very long back, the extremely weak loin, or the small hind end who didn’t trot high enough.
I can only assume that the casual misuse of this term is due to ignorance and, as a willing barometer of the non-saddlebred populous, I can confidently say that this is a common perception. Now, I am in no way accusing those involved in the saddlebred industry as being ignorant of functional conformation and the biomechanics of the horse, in fact I could point my finger at loads of individuals. I am only saying that as a whole, it does appear as though the saddlebred industry (which prides itself on one sport what demands specialized conformation) is generally ignorant of functional conformation and equine biomechanics. If this were untrue, sweeping statements that equate large hock and knee action to the movement needed in dressage would not be made. Or, the pasting-on of the term ‘sport type’ to camped out horses with small hind quarters would be scoffed at. I could provide more examples, but I won’t. I don’t like feeling as though I’m pointing an accusing finger regarding this because I understand that it’s often hard to see the forest for the trees, but it’s time the members of the saddlebred industry start realizing that this ignorance is getting the better of them. At the very least, it just continues to illustrate the saddlebred world as an off-kilter and insular one.
In feeding into this perception, the misuse and misunderstanding of “Sport Type” down right insults a huge segment of the greater equine industry – the same branch that I believe is to be the saving grace of the breed. To slap the label “sport type” on saddleseat bred culls willy nilly, suggests that no thought or planning is required to produce a sport type horse. Furthermore, this inherently suggests that the disciplines within which the sport type horse competes do not require extreme athleticism, intelligence, and finesse. Let’s not forget the work and time invested by the old warmblood agencies to do just that, or even that our very own breed was founded upon very similar functional needs! We are talking about olympic level disciplines here, those that have been hallmarks for separating the best from the best through skill and physical ability alone in the most demanding of circumstances. If the odd saddlebred, who’s loin, hindquarters, back, shoulder, or limbs weren’t sacrificed to the show ring, actually makes it up into the competitive world at any level, it’s a wonderful thing. Just think how far they could go if the cards weren’t stacked against them? Think of how a purpose bred saddlebred could shine, if given all of the genetic possibility to get there.
The fight for the inclusion of the Sport Saddlebred is not, and should not, be seen as some receptacle for show ring failures. It pains me to say that, because it’s not the horse’s fault that it was demanded that it perform to an exacting extreme (which is near impossible if left to genetically develop as a horse was intended to)… but they can’t be expected to be able to seriously be marketed to the sport horse market, either. In reality, breeders need to wise up and educate themselves as to what functional conformation truly is, especially in regards to sport disciplines. Perhaps then they would see how bizarre the saddleseat extremes are, and understand why their horses aren’t excelling in other areas. Ideally, they would then realize the ramifications of demanding genetic and performance perfection out of an animal, and the costs in the form of life if that animal doesn’t meet the preset standard. Maybe at that point production numbers would drop, and perhaps even the maniacal drive to show ring trot – only because it leaves so many victims of specialization in its wake.
For those breeders who want to be taken seriously by the outside world (and who want to actually make a profit off of the untouched and viable sport market), they should start to really ask themselves to step out of the saddleseat paradigm-whether they breed for sport specifically or have a combined program. I am suspecting that the average member of the saddlebred industry only looks at the first third of the horse, and even then doesn’t understand the function of the shoulder in relation to the movement of the head and fore limbs. A thorough understanding of all gaits would be mastered, and an ability to evaluate each of them individually as well as a whole. A grasp of form-to-function would be wielded to better understand what characteristics play toward which disciplines for a better edge, thereby allowing for better marketing and placement of their young horses.
As it stands, I am unconvinced that the whole horse is looked at and evaluated with an educated eye. If the rest of the horse were a concern, then saddlebreds would have healthy backs of appropriate length and strength, they wouldn’t have tilted pelvic assemblies, straight stifles, camped out hind ends, sickle hocks, weak loins, and poorly placed lumbo-sacral joints. They also would be asked to showcase more than the trot in the show ring, but instead they are only required to produce a few uncontrolled strides of canter and a similar amount of a disjointed walk. Instead, the most extreme conformation and gaits are rewarded, and those extreme movers have had to sacrifice so much in the way of conformation that they simply can’t perform other equine feats of athleticism at any respectable level. I suppose this is all fine and good if they are destined to a life in the show ring (or a safe life in the event that they flunk out), but it alienates the sport market and seems to encourage the random application of the label “Sport Type” to any four legged creature who can’t cut it.
So, in closing I implore readers of this blog to arm themselves with the knowledge of functional conformation and equine biomechanics. I promise you that it will not only open an exciting world of understanding, but it will give you an edge that will change the way you ride, purchase, and breed horses. Better still, it will give you an edge over your former self. For those readers who are a part of the saddlebred industry, don’t forget that YOU are the governing body. Start challenging the way you see and do things, and the association will follow.
Below are some very informative articles pertaining to this topic. The first two are by Dr. Deb Bennett, and the remaining ones are from Judy Wardrope; check out their respective websites for more great reads. Both of these women are fantastic resources, and have formed the core of my understanding of equine bio mechanics. I’ll always be a student!
True Collection (starts from the horse’s spine)
It’s a Matter of Physics: The Functional Aspects of Conformation
The Right Conformation for an Eventer
Conformation 101: What to look for in a Dressage Horse
Conformation 101: What to look for in a Jumper
*applause* Wonderfully written, couldn’t agree more. I come from the Morgan world, and feel much of the same about that breed – although there are many breeders who do specifically breed for a more versatile Morgan – not just the park saddle types. But at the major breed shows, I sort of felt like an outcast because I had a “sport” Morgan. Anyway, totally 100% agree with your post. Well done!