It is not the point, because I never said they were the same thing.
Nor have I noticed anyone else claiming that all horses should behave exactly alike, regardless of breed.
I’m not sure at all where you’ve pulled this particular straw horse from.
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Here again is an interpretation of behavior that might not ring true.
First, the disclaimer - not all of breed x behave the same. There are truly spooky and fearful saddlebreds just like there are truly placid quarter horses. Both do exist.
However, a saddlebred in their calm state will sometimes give off body signals that they are not calm. The high head, whites of the eyes showing, expressive ears that mean “Danger Will Robinson” in other breeds simply mean “what is that, I’m curious” in a saddlebred.
Why? Because that is what they were bred to look like. Not that they were bred to be scared, they were selectively bred to LOOK fired up. Which is why children and a lot of really sloppy riders can in fact ride them with very few falls or danger.
Yes, there are hotter and less hot individuals in the breed. They always exist in every breed. But the typical saddlebred is going to look significantly hotter than they actually are.
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It did not appear so from the video of her being warmed up. Never say never, of course, but the mare looked pretty typically forward, just ridden a bit “up” in the bridle and with a lot of tension.
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Yikes. I mean I guess anything is possible
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This thread. Alterration is wording this much better than I am.
People are implying that the typical breed behaviors described by ASB owners, are actually the owners just not training their horses. When in reality, they’re describing the breed, and their general characteristics.
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Shhhhh. The other major narrative on this whole topic is that nobody knows anything about Saddlebreds, and Saddleseat riding, and that is why people have doubts that the OP and Honey are a great match. And we are all just COTH meanies who are piling on the OP AND breed bashing.
But back to this amazing thing you describe, where sensitive hot breeds are capable of being animated at times, and calm at other times? How in the world does that happen? Do you think it might be because people invested time and energy into basic training with these animals, so that they could lead full and productive lives?
Huh. Imagine that.
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Sadly, it’s not uncommon for unethical sellers to do this when trying to sell a horse.
That’s why buyers often have their vets drug test a horse as part of a thorough PPE process.
Did you, by chance, ask your vet to drug test the horse when they did the PPE for you?
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No I didn’t. But the ppe was about a week later.
I truly don’t think she was, but I guess the only way I’d ever have known for sure is if I did have the vet test at that time.
Oh well. She’s mine now.
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I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that everyone on this board were saddlebred experts since we have a decided contingent of people who are definitely not understanding the difference between the way saddlebreds appear and the way they behave and the safety or lack thereof. It was pretty apparent to ME that there was a gap, but perhaps I misinterpreted what people were saying. Perhaps also I missed a spot where so many sporthorse riders spent significant time in saddleseat land. It’s been my experience that it’s not all that common for riders to get a ton of experience outside of their own chosen discipline.
Not sure anyone is saying that they can’t be or shouldn’t be trained. Did I miss that? Sh*t. I really need to read better. So much stuff on this thread.
But - the same training will not result in the same outward appearance as some other types of horse. Doesn’t mean the horse isn’t well behaved. Just means they look different.
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What was she like when you tried her out?
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The claim/behavior that was being objected to the most was the idea that “rearing/popping up” is just what ASB’s do and that it couldn’t possibly be dangerous. Especially since it was conditioned on the slightest hint of “feeling trapped/being blocked from going forward”, which the OP has said they struggle with.
There was the overt dismissal that this situation could be or could become overtly dangerous, or at best a confidence killer, and anyone who suggested that possibility was labeled either an idiot or a hater.
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I mean, what else do you call an issue with rearing under saddle? It is a training issue.
I just don’t think the stereotypes about breeds are very beneficial here. One of my close friends has owned ASBs and showed them at world for years. Her ASBs are wonderful to be around and are what I would consider safe for a beginner even on a trail. They are contrary to a lot of what has been written here. What does that mean for Honey? Very little, considering horses within breeds can be so vastly different.
Worth driving again that I think a quiet, confidence building type horse is the ideal situation for OP. ASB or not, I think most are raising concern because they don’t find this horse suitable and declaring X behavior is because Honey is an ASB is not entirely helpful in this situation.
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Interesting reading of the posts.
Here’s what I think most of us were trying to communicate:
Don’t block your horse in front and push from behind, and make sure your trainer isn’t doing so.
There are horses that will tolerate this, for a time, and most of them do eventually develop aversive behaviors if that type of riding persists. There’s a reason lesson horses often need to be schooled by advanced riders so as not to kill their beginner riders.
And of course, it could become dangerous. Keep stuffing almost any horse up in front and eventually an explosion will occur. That’s not unusual for any breed and I almost can’t believe I have to type the words.
What a saddlebred will do - again most of them, not all of them - is let you know you’re doing it up front so that you can stop doing it. They are very honest about it, if not a bit melodramatic.
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Chill in crossties, a little wiggly mounting but the previous owner was often getting on while the horse was walking away, she rode fairly nicely, but would break a lot. I assumed that was fitness related.
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I 100% agree that an intrinsically quiet horse sounds like a far better match.
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@Sdel Actually, no, that wasn’t the only behaviour being objected to - someone also stated in no uncertain terms that because my sweet little mare has ants in her pants when on the crossties (conveniently disregarding that when i’m actually at her side or actively doing something with her she stands perfectly well) that she is poorly behaved and i’m making excuses for her because i love the breed.
And i’m just over here like… “bless your heart”. 
endlessclimb and Alterration - I salute you again for your dogged tenacity and patience. I am still just smiling and nodding and waiting for the OP to post more pics/updates. 
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To be fair, I don’t necessarily disagree with that assessment. I have a dancer. I have a looky snorter. I find it supremely annoying…so does my farrier who primarily raises hot barrel horses….and I don’t consider it a super beginner friendly behavior in horse.
But you are not a beginner so if you want to deal with it….whatever floats your boat.
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Even I, the OP, agree that a quieter horse, a more chill horse, kick ride, etc would be better for me. I went on instinct, and because she moved similarly to some of my favorite lesson horses. Or so I thought.
However, I have honey. This month is intense boot camp for honey, and if at the end of the month progress feels good, and I feel good about things then great! She will not stop training—but I would have to figure out what I can financially handle. Maybe that’s 1x training 1x lesson. Maybe that is 2x training with biweekly lessons. I don’t know because I’m not there yet.
Maybe I move on her. It’s all still to be determined.
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Yup.
It’s very strange.
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THIS!
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