First and foremost, I feel it is important to share that I have actually said the words “I would never own a saddlebred, the look like frightened geese with funny saddles prancing frantically around a ring”. I actually have a long established habit of doing the things I said I’d “never” do, but that’s another story.
I don’t blame myself though, for feeling the way I did. As a person who grew up in North Central Florida, the “Horse Capitol of the World” thanks to the long standing and thriving thoroughbred racing industry, my exposure to saddlebreds was inherently limited. These limitations were further ingrained as I participated in hunters and jumpers. I do admit to having an early history of trying to succeed with an unpopular breed, having been a child who lacked skills, and rocketed her arab mare over fences in various hunter classes. However, I now see myself in a much better position to view an “underdog status” as a benefit instead of a handicap.
Anyhow, as mentioned, the majority of my riding experience has been devoted towards hunters and jumpers. This chunk of my life can be broken into two segments: the first part where I learned nothing from poor instructors, and the second part where I was taken in off the streets of embarrassment, broken down, and then rebuilt by two of the greatest horsemen from an era gone by. After years with them, I married in college, moved across the country, and began a nearly six year forced hiatus from riding. I caught rides where I could, volunteered when possible, and enjoyed friends’ horses sporadically. Eventually, I found myself back in the southeast. Through a twisty and turny course of events that involved knowing a Nokota horse owner, meeting and later befriending her Natural Horsemanship trainer, I finally fell in with a wonderful woman who was kind enough to allow me so many riding opportunities on her connemara ponies. She also provided me with nice introduction to dressage. With her help, I actually began logging hours with horses. I even began showing and going to clinics. I couldn’t believe my fortune and blessings.
Life only became more amazing when my admitted pining for horses was allowed to become serious looking. I’ve mentioned that I am married, but I’d like to expand on this a bit. I am fortunate enough to be married to a man who weathered the storm of his wife’s horse obsession, worked to give her opportunities and support in order to help ease her obsession, and committed to making horses a part of his life so that he could share this part of hers. My husband, Matt, has had no experience with horses beyond the occasional trail ride. He was open minded enough to give the lifestyle a chance, and I am so happy to report that he is building the foundation for a life of true horsemanship. Our lifestyle is not one that makes owning a horse easy. I am so fortunate to not only have a person in my life who is willing to make this adjustment for me, but who is also excited and interested in sharing it. So, with his blessing I began looking for a horse.
I had pretty stiff expectations. I wanted a horse who would be the right match in personality for myself, but who would also be forgiving enough for my husband. I wanted a horse who was intelligent and bold, but also friendly and warm. I needed a horse who wouldn’t be high maintenance, and who could provide many years of riding. Finally, in conjunction with all of these requirements, I wanted a prospect whose conformation and athletic ability suggested a strong ability to compete at preliminary level eventing. Or, if eventing were not in the cards, the same horse would ideally be a prospect for the equivalent levels of jumpers or dressage. The final need was that all of this would be found on a very, very tight budget… more than a tall order.
As can be expected, many people thought I was insane. In considering myself a “typist” as opposed to a breedist, looked at any and all horses. The breeds ranged from typical thoroughbreds; thoroughbred and warmblood crosses; appaloosas, paints, and quarter horses and their crosses; connemaras and connemara crosses; welsh section Ds (I came very close to purchasing a lovely section D) and their crosses; and even a few grades and mustangs.
Of course, in that list there lie the one saddlebred gelding. Previously, on-line I had seen photos of some beautiful horses. I contacted the owner and inquired as to what they were. I was floored to learn that they were saddlebreds, especially since they didn’t look like frightened geese. I had casually talked with this breeder about a young horse that they had, but had honestly filed the information away in the “forgotten pile”. As providence would have it though, nearly the day I was to make a final commitment to another horse entirely, I found in my in-box images of an absolutely gorgeous chestnut gelding. Truly, the rest is history. Arrangements were made, a trial period was set, months passed until the shipping company was available to pick up and deliver a horse who I was nearly positive would be the right match, and by June the decision was official. He was our new horse.
As mentioned before, this horse had some very large shoes to fill in order to meet my personal needs, as well as my needs regarding my husband. I still find it difficult to believe that right from the start we were both simply amazed at the quality of our new family member. “Elvis”, or “The King of Rock and Roll” as he is registered, has been nothing but a joy to be around. For myself, I am thrilled that he is such a thinker. He is independent minded but willing and wanting to please which, in my opinion, is the ideal combination of traits. He enjoys learning, and thrives on praise (as well as any peppermints that might come his way). For my husband Elvis is forgiving and patient, even as an immature four year old. He’s cautious, respectful, and apologetic even when he “makes a mistake”. Moreover, he is an endearing character. He plays easily, follows closely, and actually whinnies when we leave. My husband is so fortunate to have this sort of horse as his hallmark, and I am continually amazed that I happened upon such an awesome equine.
Our plans from this point out are pretty specific. Elvis is to begin an education in dressage, as well as building experience at shows, clinics, and on trails. Additionally, our goal is to act as ambassadors of what the saddlebred can be if conditioned and trained properly, as well as if it has actually selectively been bred for sport. I feel I have a unique opportunity to do this because I am not a member of the saddlebred industry. Instead, I am an exact representation of what the saddlebred industry would do well to recognize as an “alternative market”. I look forward to challenging the stereotypes amongst my peers, as well as possibly inspiring those in eventing, jumping, or dressage to look for a saddlebred in the future.
Congratulations on seeing past the “flash” and realizing that Saddlebreds are one of the most intelligent, trainable, and personable breeds around. Although mine are the traditional “showring peacocks” they are also more than willing to go out out on a trail…or anything else that I ask of them.
I hope your blog will help others see past the Saddlebred stereotypes and find the gem underneath as well.
Thanks Karen! My goal is definitely to give my peers (meaning those people in the sport horse world, not in the saddlebred industry) a solid reason to consider a SB for their next ride. It will be an uphill battle, because the image as viewed by outsiders is not the best. I didn’t even know that they weren’t an entirely gaited breed!
Anyhow, I am confident that I’ll be able to educate others like me, with Elvis’ help.
You’ll also find that the lawn mower thing is “selective” just like some dogs (and men) have selective hearing. He’s looking for a chance to show off just like the showring peacock stock he comes from. My guy will graze (yes he gets turnout) calmly as 4 identical noisy, loud motorcycles pass nearby and then spook at the 5th one…highly selective and just looking for a chance to prance around and show off..not a scared goose but a mischievous one! My guy can also puff up and give you the “Saddlebred whites of the eyes look” as good as it comes, but he is the safest horse I’ve ever owned. I have never even come close to coming off of him..he never rears, whirls, flips or anything else Saddlebreds are supposed to do and the only bucking he does is a gentle one when it’s cold in the winter. I’ve put first time riders on him one day and shown him at the top of his game the next…it’s all the same to him. Have fun with Elvis!
Hey, was directed to this blog by Mary on Trot.org!
I am, like you, a die-hard sporthorse hunter/jumper person. I own a 3-yr old sport-type Saddlebred mare, and she’s my third pure Saddlebred in total, and I have bred and still own two Saddlebred/Warmblood crosses, AND i have multiple friends with pure and half-Saddlebreds – and I can tell you, what you’ve discovered about your boy, that “je ne sais quoi” quality that makes him “more than just a horse” (quote from your hubby), is a very typical breed trait. All of my ASB’s have been like that. Incredibly smart, willing to a fault, ridiculously easy to start and train and so, so loving and trustworthy. Per-so-na-li-teee up the WAZOO! lol!!
They are incredible. Honestly I watch so many of my peers struggle with their “traditionally-bred” youngsters, who tune them out and buck or bolt or rear when they’re scared or confused or simply don’t want to work anymore, and I can only shake my head and hug my fabulous horses and thank the stars I discovered this wonderful breed.
I will add this blog to my Favorites – and feel free to email me any time! I provided my website, but I also have tons more pictures of my critters at http://community.webshots.com/user/lianne08
Cheers!
Lianne – Thanks for the wonderful words! I will definitely add you to my contact list. I think it’s important that people who compete with saddlebreds in sporthorse disciplines build a network. As I’ve mentioned many times already in the blog, I’m not a member of the saddlebred industry. I don’t know if I’ll ever see myself labeled as anything beyond a “jumper person”, or “dressage person”, or one day after I graduate from clinics to a recognized event, an “eventer person”. So, that means I am thrust out into a sea of dissenters, and I’ve already noticed that it can get lonely!
Again, thanks for the lovely post. I hope you keep returning to this site!
PS: lovely horses!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Saddlebreds!
Just love your blog and your bright attitude.
From another chestnut horse devotee 🙂
Welcome Silvia, and thank you for stopping by!
You know, I’ve always described my dream horse as a bright chestnut with a flaxen mane. Who know I’d actually end up with one?!
Welcome to the world of sport Saddlebreds… more than just the Horse America Made!
You are about to see the world through the eyes of what my non-horsey husband has declared “a creature created far superior to humans”.
Welcome to the wonderful world of saddlebred sporthorses! You and I have much in common. I too am a h/j event and DR person. Those are the disciplines I’ve always ridden. When I was a teen back in the late 80’s, early 90’s, I worked as a groom for a woman at my barn who had saddlebred show horses. So, I was being exposed to this breed with the eyes of a person used to seeing sporthorses. I admit I was amazed. In that area of the country its a widely accepted untruth that ASB’s are abused to get them hyper for the show ring and they were summarily dismissed as being worthless for anything besides carreening around a ring wearing a flat saddle.
But yet, due to the relationship I had with my friend’s horses, I knew them to be kind intelligent caring horses who would go out of their way to do their owners bidding. I saw at the shows tons of magnificient horseflesh I could easily picture under traditional tack and allowed to round forward and move with freed impulsion. Suspension, elasticity, substantial uphill build, it was all there. What amazed me most was the horses considered to be inferior in the show ring, the throw aways, were the horses who would have the best suitability being a sporthorse. This was back in 1990. I have been owning ASB horses for that purpose after my “mom” haitus, for the last 8 years and I currently have a yearling prospect I’d love to tell you the story of. I am enclosing a picture link to my 7 year old daughter’s first lead line free ride on my Ex Amish Buggy horse, turned dressage prospect from SBR.
Best Wishes!
Mona
Mona, what a thoughtful post, thank you so much! I’d love to hear about your yearling prospect; please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Also, thank you for the photo link – what a lovely saddlebred! So wonderful that he has a new life!
My first horse was a heavier type Saddlebred (or cross? a rescue!). He’s retired now, but I hope my next horse will be someone just like Elvis – with a couple years experience under his belt. Not easy to find! I think the mind and athletcisim of these horses make them ideal partners for at least lower level dressage. May have to bite the bullet in the not too distant future and find a youngster.
Erica
Erica,
Well.. Elvis has a little brother who apparently is his carbon copy! 🙂
What a wonderful journey you and Pariah Pony are taking together and what a wonderful experience for you to allow me to spend some time in your journey.
I will continue to “drop in”, now and again, and see how this “cheeky” Saddlebred and his human are doing.
Shirley
Thanks Shirley, and Welcome! I hope that Elvis and I can live up to everyone’s expectations as a horse and rider team. I’m really loving sharing the journey with other ASB fans, as well as those who are new to the breed!
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Saddlebred, “the I will love you to death and it’s all about me horse”. I am very glad to see others taking on this idea and running with it. I too am an outsider as I pursue natural horsemanship with my boy. I will most definetly keep track of you two.
Welcome, Chris, thanks for checking in! That is exciting to hear that you are also blazing your own trail with your saddlebred. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your insights on American saddlebreds. I am not sure that our Athena fits in this category, but your story reminds me so much of her.
My friend, who had previously sworn she would never own a grey horse, a mare, or an Arab, fell in love with a “free horse” that encompassed all of the above (an American show horse – saddlebred/Arab cross). Athena was a “free” horse, our ugly duckling, who previously was owned by a large animal vet student who could not take her when she left for internship.
Athena colicked twice within 2 weeks after we picked her up. We had naively thought she would have been taken care of very well by a vet student. In order to lead her, we had to walk very wide to the left because she threw her left front foot at least 2 feet out to the left in a swing motion because of poor trimming.
To make a long story short, we got her through the colick and special trimmed her for about a year. Lo and behold, after about a year Athena bloomed into a beautiful, talented, and loving addition to our barn.
Over the years we were told (by a very famous centered riding trainer) that she could probably be jumped to any level as she was so talented. But, her gentleness and charisma were what we treasured so much.
Athena fell in love with one of our barn cats, Percy (persimmon), who similarly fell in love with her. They were seen together often in her stall as well as in the fields. He was often soaking wet from her licking him and loving on him. I won’t go into their story, but it was amazing to watch.
When Athena was around 20 we found she had polyps in her intestines and she colicked for the last time, so we had to put her down. Percy stayed with her until the end.
Athena is buried here on the property. We will always remember our saddlebred cross who at first was such an “ugly duckling” turned into our princess.
Oh, what a beautiful story! I’m so happy you had such a lovely girl in your life. Also, as a self professed ‘crazy cat lady’, I loved hearing that she had a special feline friend! The relationship sounded just amazing!
I recently acquired a Saddlebred I use for Dressage. I’m also one of those “I’ll never own a Saddlebred” people… Couldn’t be more pleased with my guy! Sweet, talented, goofy… Great to see I’m not the only one out there breaking the stereotype for these amazing horses!
Hey there! I finally got my wordpress blog setup, yay! I’m working on changing the address, if that’s possible.
http://jamiecb1127.wordpress.com/
Elvis looks awesome! Love the one year later comparison!! I’ll have to do that with Riot this weekend..it’s his birthday on the 14th 🙂
I was able to change my address..here we are now: http://asbntx.wordpress.com/
Love the new wordpress blog, Jamie! I’ll be following with interest!