[QUOTE=D_BaldStockings;8534830]
The NSH registry was created to differentiate the Arab - Saddlebred cross from other half-arabs with the plan of a non-set tailed saddleseat riding horse that could also show in Arab shows.
It was an outlet for Saddlebred mares that were not throwing Kentucky State Fair caliber foals to have a marketable foal. And for Arabian stallions to have taller offspring than usual, with longer necks.
It was also an outlet for less typy Arabian mares to have larger, more marketable foals.
Note that non-high performance Saddlebred broodmares have gone for very low prices historically, since there just aren’t that many buyers of Saddlebred broodmares.
It was originally embraced by both of the purebred breeds as a new way to market horses and add value to the already popular Arab x Saddlebred.
During subsequent economic recessions, the registry is pretty much not really active, but the name NSH is still used to refer to the cross.
Mr. Ed was basically an NSH.
I’ve owned 1/2 SB, 1/2 Arabs and they can be very good or very mediocre, depending on the parents, just like any breeding.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for correcting and enlarging the history lesson I had.
I still stand by my original assessment: If I could have the NSH mind of this gelding I ride in a better-built horse, he’d be a really great animal. And his degree of “want to” and intelligence plus “latching onto the ‘Yes!’” would probably really surprise the horsemen who work in TB- and WB-based disciplines.
And FWIW, I think this horse’s trainability was either wildly underestimated by the “Main Ring Arab” trainers who had him before me…or they were just mediocre trainers and not somehow unaccustomed to this kind of mind by their discipline. I can’t say, as I don’t know much about Main Ring Arabian showing.
I think this horse’s trainability makes him a little “vulnerable” in the ego; he worries if he doesn’t know the answer. It can be easier to train a horse who cares just a little bit less about getting it right. As much as I grew up in and like those English disciplines build around the TB and, later, the WB (infused with enough TB blood), this horse’s need for a little bit of hand-holding might cause those people to mis-ride him.
