Though I lost my heart to Arabians (and of course Shagya Arabians) as a child - I too have also had absoutely wonderful experiences with Saddlebreds and crosses. I had an Arab/Saddlebred cross as a teen… . . and I think I’ve been trying to find that horse again ever since. . . I;ve also ridden a number of full bred Saddlebreds and they have all been amazing,
My current little heart horse is an Arab/WB cross. I got her as a yearling and hoped she’d mature to 15.3 but alas she topped out at 15 hands but you know. . . I agree with those who praise the virtues of the smaller ones. She moves like she’s 16 hands - she fills out my leg just fine because she has a lot of substance and she’s likely to stay very sound. And the ground isn’t as far away 
I’ve got trips lined up in April, but something I didn’t quite expect in pricing. The OTTB clearly has to find a new job, and there are stunning examples under $5000. The ASBs that could work are overall younger (3-4) than the TBs (some 3-4, but more 5-8 year olds), and they aren’t rejects. So most I find appealing at this point are $7000-$15000 or higher. It makes sense as there is a market for ASB riding horses - duh.
Caveat being that each horse is an individual, I’m now questioning if a 3 year old started ASB has enough “more” potential than an OTTB to make the $3K+ price increase worth it? Hmm…. And also adding I love both breeds and get along with both. If all else is equal, a 5 year old TB for thousands less than a 3 year old ASB - might be a clear choice.
Maybe look out West for ASB’s? I’m in Colorado and a few years ago I helped sell 9 saddlebreds. Now they were all either young and only halter broke or older ( but former show horses.) I found that this area was not into Saddlebreds at all. I think back in the day, but my impression is there is a market out east for them.
I heard a big Saddlebred barn in the area is getting ready to close and sell stock. I don’t know the name though.
Just FYI for all you Saddlebred lovers… a sport horse show just for Saddlebreds and 1/2 Saddlebreds. Probably a good place to go shopping too???
Wish my boy was more than 1/4 ASB!!!
For traveling, not sure if I’d save enough after my travel expenses and shipping costs, and it’d be rough to travel that far and not like the horse. Again, biggest thing is I thought a TB and ASB would be similarly priced. So the root question is an ASB that much more promising than a TB? In general, as individuals vary…. I’m still seeing both breeds in April, but at this point, unless the TBs are horrifically lacking and the ASBs scream future GP star, I’ll likely end up with a TB. But we’ll see:).
I understand! The ones we sold were about $1500. But not broke either. That was also a few years ago so who knows now.
I’m a huge TB fan 
ASBs have natural ability to sit, and when you find one with jump in the canter, you’re there. They naturally have a quick hind leg. They are pocket ponies, and bred to be so. They are warmbloods. The ASBs that I recommended have all been started correctly for the purpose of being ridden as performance horses. They are extraordinarily well bred, and with top barns and trainers. They have not been subjected to being over used as young horses. If you can find a Thoroughbred with those credentials for half the price- go for it!
We often forget that the purchase price is nothing. Buy the best quality you possibly can. It costs the same amount to feed a bad one as a good one, as a trainer told me decades ago. All of these time and money you spend bringing them up through the levels- that’s where the money goes.
Just speaking as someone who produces a fair amount of retraining projects - I’d 100% take the mind and physical structure of an ASB if my goal was straight dressage horse.
I think you’ll find that TB prospects that really have the conformation and train ability to do well in dressage are priced similarly to the ASB, and if they’re off the track, with more wear and tear and training to undo.
But that’s me. I pretty much won’t go near a TB these days, I know too many people and have had too many of my own experiences with a pretty horse who exemplifies “pretty is as pretty does," and does not do as pretty as they are.
If you were looking for an event Prospect I would say go with the thoroughbred. But if your goal is dressage, I would take my time and find an ASB with a spectacular canter, and a non-lateral walk.
Spend the max you can for a horse with the fewest existing issues. Don’t cheap on on the purchase price. It’s the smallest expenditure you will make when spread out over the next 20 years.
I’ll be looking at examples of both breeds, but at this point, I’ve seen drool worthy TBs with uphill movement for a fraction of the cost of the ASBs. I’ll still ultimately pick the best horse for me, just noting that I was incorrect in assessing both as being equitably priced. I don’t think the prices are based on dressage potential, but overall market value. The ASBs on my list could compete in Saddlebred shows in various divisions. The TBs are out of a job, so priced as retraining prospects only. I’ll update when I get closer to decision time.
My preference is obvious and i won’t get into why, I will simply say this:
You are correct, you can still get TBs off the track for less than 5K. And if TBs could withstand hard work and stay sound and sane the way ASBs can, then the Amish would be buying up all the washed-up TBs, and ignoring the Standies and ASBs. 
Food for thought.
…she said “Standies” 
I like both breeds (actually all three, since I own a STB), but TBs are not trained to drive, whereas most ASBs are started in long lines, and obviously STBs drive, so not sure soundness is the reason Amish aren’t buying up TBs. In addition, many STBs and ASBs sadly get dumped at auction when they break down from the wear and tear of road use.
I like that both breeds have devotees, and where TBs have been fairly widely accepted as an alternative sporthorse for decades, it’ll be awesome to see more ASBs accepted as such. I sincerely believe both breeds provide options for me, so it’ll be interesting to see what turns out as my best option.
Generally speaking, TBs off of the track do not have any training that would be useful to the Amish. They are Needing horses that are pretty solid thinkers, and they need to have been broke to drive, be easy to hook, and be safe in harness. The kind of dangerous situations that they are exposed to on the regular are not for the faint of heart. American Saddlebreds and Standies have the kind of training that helps them navigate this. They are also pretty durable on the road even though at some point every horse fails and becomes at risk.
Throwing a slight spanner in the works. The Saddlebred rescue actually has one horse at a barn 2 miles from my house, though she wasn’t sure he’d exactly tick off all the boxes for me, I’ll still go see him and give feedback on what I think if nothing else. I also saw a listing for a DHH x ASB on the DHH and X FB page - I think some of you are on there. This guy is 1.3 miles from my house…
As noted, I currently own a STB, and the hind end/canter stuff - I adore him, but next horse needs to NOT present the same struggles! (!!!). I do like the DHHs that I see, but I also think some are more carriage bred and maybe don’t have the hind end I want. Anyone have experience with some of the DHH crosses coming out of Indiana? That’s where the prospect near me was bred, and I’ll go see him next week. The farm also has full ASBs, and the seller had others listed I found appealing, but she had one she thinks is “meant for dressage.” For those who bought from saddleseat barns - do you trust the assessment on prospects for saddleseat vs. dressage? Meaning, do you think some of the ones they know can make it as a saddleseat horse could be equally amazing for dressage? Obviously the price would reflect them not being a “wash-out” - but just curious about whether your experience is that a top saddleseat candidate means they are NOT made for dressage (which is sort of what I’ve read in some areas), or if it’s just the saddleseat folks don’t sell them easily to us;)
Short answer, no, I don’t usually trust non-dressage people who make an assessment that a horse would be good for dressage. It usually means they think the horse has a flashy trot and goes in a false frame. Ymmv of course but unless someone’s actually trained a horse through proper collection, I don’t think they have any idea what it’s about.
True! Heck, I think some dressage folks are sold on the flashy trot, too. Even some judges
The singular difference between what will make a show horse prospect, or not, is headset. If the horse can wear themselves with the upright position required in the Saddle Seat ring, you are not going to see them offered as a sport horse prospect- like, ever. And the value? Two year old show prospects that might be able to compete at the top are six figures.
What that means is that if they have that headset, they are simply trying to decide which Saddle Seat division that they can compete in. I bred and co owned a Reserve World Champion three gaited two year old. So, I do know of what I speak. That’s the only time that I ever tried to raise a show horse.
The SS trainers are becoming more educated about what we need in the sport horse disciplines. Still, do not expect them to understand our lexicon; you need to adapt to what they can tell you, and then do your due diligence.
Good luck to everyone seeking a new ASB partner! You’re going to have a good time!
…feeding chores and looking over my horses this morning, with respect to this thread…
What body type DOES make a good candidate?
Slope of shoulder?
Width of chest and hips?
Length of their back?
Long gaskin? Long forearm?
Slope of hip/length of hip?Equilateral triangle (hip/point of buttock/stifle) or longer ilium than femur?
I would say width is not as much of an issue as the other attributes you listed (as long as we’re not talking 2 legs coming out of the same hole, LOL)…
But yes, correct conformation for sport. Well honestly, correct conformation in general, because really, functional conformation for any athletic endeavour shouldn’t vary too widely AFAIC. I know some Saddlebred breeders breed for correct, functional athletes first, and whatever the horse ends up best suited for is what they train them for. I feel my mare is a fantastic example of a quality Saddlebred that came form a Saddleseat breeder’s barn. Bred for correctness, brains and athleticism.
@LilyandBaron Keep us posted!! 
