This is a very strange thread.
It seems like some die hard Saddlebred people are taking it over - which is fine. But in their zeal to support the breed… they are representing the breed as hyperactive anxious horses with a tendency to rear and chew.
Uhhhhhh… I don’t think this is a great way to represent ASBs.
As for the op… glad you have a trainer and a plan. Good luck with that. Hopefully this is the start of a more productive and enjoyable period for you and the horse.
I gotta give you props for your infinite patience and positivity here. I stopped trying to explain the differences to skeptics long, long ago. Those who are genuinely open-minded and curious - I will talk their ear off explaining the wonders of this breed. Otherwise, I just nod and say things like “to each their own” (as above).
I too grew up with mostly TBs, WBs and various other breeds doing hunter/jumper lessons and shows. I rode for 4 years in Europe and leased a Belgian Warmblood. I’ve ridden and handled tons and tons of horses of various breeds over the years, and my first horse of my own was a Saddlebred. For the past 5 years i’ve been boarding at a coop barn so i’ve been not just “exposed to” everyone else’s horses, but have had to handle them as well - for turn-in, turnout, feeding, mucking, blanketing, medicating, etc.
So when i try to explain to people there’s a difference, I know what i’m talking about.
Some might think my horse is “misbehaving” because she doesn’t like standing still, but I know that when she NEEDS to stand still (like when i drop her lead rope in the middle of the aisle and busy myself with undoing her blanket clasps/buckles), she stands like a statue - because she needs to. Does she NEED to stand stock still when i walk over to get another brush from my tack box? No, she doesn’t. So she dances around a little. When i come back to her to brush her, she stops. Ask me how many times she has stepped on me or bumped me while “antsy”? None.
How many times has she stepped on me or pulled on me when being led? None.
How many times has she dumped me even though i’m the one who backed her and trained her? None.
How many times has she “accidentally” nipped me while mouthing everything under the sun? None.
My daughter, non-horsey, at age 6 could go fetch her in the paddock and lead her into the barn on a windy day with all sorts of things flapping and flying around.
Is she suitable for a beginner/amateur? 1000%. Unless they simply don’t understand (or like) her breed tendencies. Some people honestly just don’t “like” that type, and that’s totally ok. But they are MORE likely to be beginner and amateur-friendly because they are so in tune with their handlers/riders and surroundings, and they don’t tend to have that “panic” button where they zone out and bolt. It’s wonderful, it really is. The feeling of being 100% safe at all times and in all situations because my horse has a brain and she uses it to listen to me and please me, instead of going on pure instinct alone. It’s really, really special. 
I will say that the few ASBs I worked with were not as everyone is describing. The young one who never went into the show world - his worst habit was using his neck-stature to avoid being bridled. He also had learned that awful stop, turn, and drag habit that some horses learn when lunging.
Both were easy to resolve, and he was a fun and solid citizen.
The former show horse was workmanlike all day long. None of the ants in the pants, tail over the back, etc. He just did his job and got his cookies. A very good boy.
This is what I’ve been trying to explain. I now understand that horses that I once viewed as quiet were actually closer to shut down. In retrospect, every bad accident I’ve ever had on a horse was on one that was “quiet” and non-reactive. Because that’s not really what they were. They were accumulating rabbits (as Warwick Schiller says). You will never ever be completely surprised by a saddlebred except in awe of how WELL they handle something that would completely cause another horse to throw their cookies out of the cot. And you’re right - it really is the partnership of a lifetime.
What I am is friggen stubborn. Maybe I should stop trying to translate but I know if I just say how cool they are without explaining things well the expectations won’t match and we’ll have people upset that they don’t behave like quarter horses. And that doesn’t bode well for the horses at all. Then they DO get dumped because people from other disciplnes don’t understand them.
<3 They are the absolute best.
Yes, there are some lines that are spicier and others that aren’t. And I hate that lunge trick - a friend of mine has one that learned that. She kept insisting that he “didn’t feel like lunging today”. grrr
A lot of the older lines stayed true to the cavalry type. These horses are hardy much less spicy creatures. They still tend to have that interested appearance.
And they do love their cookies.
The breed as a whole is very ammy friendly but not a fit for every ammy. Either you like the personality or you think it’s too much and don’t.
They are just curious about everything and have a wicked sense of humor. Why I think mine is similar to a poodle, he just loves life and learning new things with a little drama and hair care sprinkled in, but he does need more mental stimulation than my QH.
Yup - my last mare was like that. Not mouthy at all. Still super alert and tuned in, but more stoic and quiet overall. She was heavily Stonewall bred - 8 inches of bone, size 2 feet, on a 15.2hh frame. Lovely mare. Reserved her affections for those she knew and trusted, otherwise somewhat aloof.
But a lot of the same tendencies - would look to me before reacting, even when i could tell she was quivering in fear. Wonderful work ethic. Loved her to bits. Miss her often. She is much loved in her new home - with a (you guessed it) older beginner-ish rider who does trails with her. 
@AdultEmmy looking forward to more updates as the training sessions progress! 
We just did spring shots here. All 4 of my horses got wonderful marks from the vet (and after she gave them cookies she remarked at how spectacular their manners were). However - the two QHs sort of went vacant during the shots. I was holding them, and though they stood like rocks, they kind of left the building mentally. Saddlebred #1 rested his lips on my hand, wanting to be sure I was there, and Saddlebred #2 who originally came in as a beast for shots, because he had a really bad experience with vets and a lot of poking and prodding due to an eye surgery early in his life, he also stood but he hid his head in my armpit. Never pulled, never was rude, just hid his head from the vet and wanted comfort from me.
I beg your pardon?
Just to re-use the dog analogy. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Doberman behavior - but they are a high energy intelligent breed. If they were described like labs or basset hounds, you’d end up with people acquiring them, then being disappointed in their behavior and dumping them at shelters. Which happens.
Instead, being acquainted with both the energy and intelligence of the breed gives people who are inclined to be interested in them some knowledge of what they COULD be getting themselves into, and aligning themselves with resources capable of dealing with them. Expectations matter.
You’re really only reading the negatives which is SUPER interesting. A number of us have recounting amazing positives, which are completely overlooked because of the few differences that many of them have from “normal” sporthorse behavior or body language, right out of the gate.
The dog analogy is interesting.
I own a Viszla. They are the definition of high energy, combined with intelligent and sensitive. And… people easily get into serious difficulty with this breed of dog.
What I have learned from this dog breed? Maintaining a degree of “calm” must be trained and reinforced. That means crate training and “place” and “sit” and walking obediently on a leash. And it’s hard… because these dogs have busy minds.
High energy animals need clear boundaries and consistent training.
I’m not a brilliant dog trainer. Nor a professional. Just an owner of a beautiful but challenging breed. Sooooo… I am working with a professional dog trainer and it is rewarding and educational. And this is creating a good outcome for my dog and family. He’s growing up to be a good canine citizen (he’s still in the puppy stage but over a year old now).
It sounds like the OP on this thread is now working with a decent trainer who is putting together a plan for the horse (Honey, the ASB), and a plan to get the OP some saddle time on a more amateur friendly mount for right now to help with the OP’s confidence and to get her going forward with her riding.
That all sounds wise.
What does not sound wise to me? To excuse away behavioral problems and claim it’s just a charming facet of a high strung breed. People do this with Viszlas all the time - they anthropomorphize the breed and make excuses for a lack of training and manners, and claim corrections are a “no no” because the breed is just too sensitive.
And then the Viszla rescues pick up the pieces when the dogs are 18 months to 2 years and people are at wits end with jumping and whining and mouthiness and anxious barking. Because people made excuses instead of following through with key basic training.
Anyway… I think it’s great you love your preferred breed. I love my high strung dog, and I also enjoy a few “hot” horse breeds - Arabs and TBs, to be specific. But… that doesn’t mean that I make excuses for rearing, or other behaviors that indicate training deficiencies. Nope. When behaviors are a challenge, I seek the help of professional trainers and work to improve it.
All horses have hooves and are big flight animals. All dogs have teeth and are actually predators. Good basic training and consistent enforcement of basic boundaries and limits is non negotiable, in my opinion.
that’s some mighty selective reading, VHM.
These are direct quotes:
I do believe that most horses are fully aware when their people are there and not there. Mine watch every move I make and my gelding ( QH) especially, does just about everything that @ASBJumper 's horses do–minus nervous poops . It is just his personality. I guess he wants to be a ASB!
I admittedly have skimmed much of the thread.
I have a 1/2 Arab who is a HOT little girl. I do understand a busy minded but clever horse, that can be prone to snort and blow and dancing.
You know what is non negotiable? Rearing. You know what else I don’t do? Have really inexperienced amateurs ride her. It’s not good for the horse and not good for them. That doesn’t mean she’s a bad horse. She’s great. It just isn’t a good match.
I don’t think I really understand continuing to emphasize how hot Saddlebreds can be, then in the next sentence insisting they are great for beginners. That is a non sequiter.
I think that’s a misreading of what people are saying, and maybe I haven’t explained it well in my zeal to help translate.
You can expect them to behave. What you can’t do is be shocked that they are higher energy nor can you treat them harshly when they are interested. If you try to stuff that energy down and insist that they LOOK like a QH, you’ll be disappointed.
I don’t know how you correct a Viszla as I have no experience with the breed, but with Dobermans, harsh corrections can be devastating. Praise orientation as well as play orientation works well (we trained in Shutzhund, so if there are other words that you’re more familiar with, please substitute those). My Doberman was trained to heel in a day by placing him in the correct position and praising the heck out of him. You could correct on the leash, but you had to be very fair.
My saddlebreds are similar, although I’ve certainly disciplined mine the one and only time he nipped in my general direction. And the other one, who is less inclined to be forward, found the end of the lead rope more than once (with ample warning, and he was STILL surprised that it bit him).
I find with them they are smart enough that they do prefer a fair trainer and they tend to be tolerant of mistakes but do not appreciate ill will or direct unfairness. How the heck they know the difference is beyond me, but they do.
Rearing, was a bit of an overzealous interpretation of what was happening. I viewed the videos. It was not a true rear, which I would agree is not what a beginner needs.
I think we’ve learned that Honey isn’t really rearing. She’s not rearing.
You know how every green bean describes being ‘run away with’ by a horse as a child? And the horse typically plodded slightly faster than dead to the gate and stopped. Yeah, this is something more like that. Not understanding an upheaded horses who likely never wore a nose band like a micklem or a dropped and was a little out of sorts in the head and neck. A sensitive but kind horse.
I was really worried about the OP and this horse, very much so. As things have progressed, with some insights from Alterration, my worries have lessened.
I think it’s hard to explain because it isn’t really heat. 
It LOOKS hot. It smells hot. But it isn’t hot.
Another dog-related example - Dobermans have a rather stiff posture that they use a lot. In another dog, that would mean aggression. In a Doberman, that’s just the way they stand.
It looks really scary (and they were bred to look that way). But it’s just a look. Dobermans are tested with a friendly stranger and a scary stranger and they are rated on whether they can (inborn by temperament) know the difference, but they ALL have that stiff sort of look.
Saddlebreds were bred to look fancy and hot. Yes, they can be higher energy, but it’s a SAFE energy. The look is like the doberman stiffness. That saddlebred high energy look served a purpose (mostly to get high ranking dudes some dates), but they weren’t all master riders. It makes their riders LOOK like they are handing these crazy wild rank beasts (which at one point meant that you were a very cool dude).
If you go to a saddleseat show, there’s a 9 year old and under class of riders (children) riding in a double bridle with a very large shank on a flat saddle on horses that look like their hair is on fire. I’ve never seen a kid fall off. Not once. Their (often very wealthy and well-resourced to sue) parents wouldn’t put them on horses that are unsafe, nor would the trainers risk that liability. The horses themselves are actually lovely and many of them do not stand still on the cross ties or have many of the other qualities that sporthorse people would find to be beginner safe.
It is a completely 100% different world.
I love Arabians, but their hot does come with some interesting antics, including the infamous scoot out from underneath you. I’ve ridden some fabulous ones, but as a tall long-torsoed person, I can struggle to stick with a whirl when the horse disappears from between your legs.
Ok. I haven’t been doing pm’s with the OP and apparently don’t have the same info, or all the info, or seen the videos, or whatever.
Here’s my take on hot horses who sometimes pop up a little under saddle or on the end of a lead rope when they get excited, because they are super observant, etc etc.
That is different from a true rear…
But it’s also not a good match for a beginner. Not in the saddle, and not on the end of the lead rope.
An experienced and knowledgeable horse person knows how to communicate “knock it off” while simultaneously telling the nervous beast to “go forward and use your energy in this productive direction instead.” That skill set requires a certain amount of confidence and effective timing. And that’s just not something many beginners have.
If the hot sensitive horse, who is also extra smart, and has a tendency to pop up is consistently handled inexpertly when this happens?
The behavior can get worse. And evolve into something more challenging. And that’s not a good outcome.
I think my take away from this entire thread… (And trust me I have followed it from the beginning, and and also was one of the people that got her posts removed for defending the OP. Albeit I probably didn’t do it with much grace.). is that horses and their personalities can be very different And I realize everyone wants the compliant, obedient quiet animal, who never steps a foot wrong. BUT Whether it’s by virtue of breed traits, or simply personality, differences amongst individuals… There are some horses who are quite dramatic. And that does not mean that they are dangerous or unruly. They just have very big personalities. And the keen horse person learns to see that and channel it in a safe positive way.
I have appreciated all the different viewpoints and sincerely wish the OP, the best of luck with her horse.
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