Saddlebred for Eventing - thoughts?

[Juxtapoze]

Would love thoughts from riders with first or second hand experience of Saddlebreds for dressage and jumping. Does the breed general hold up well for the rigors and scope needed for jumping? Does the breed have any specific health concerns or issues that make them less suitable for mid-level eventing?

I’m looking for my next partner. I don’t have the budget for a warmblood. I love the work ethic, endurance and elegance of TB’s but am a bit gun shy to buy another purebred TB over health & soundness concerns and frequent downhill conformation. Seems like the uphill conformation of Saddlebred would give me a head start in dressage training.

Wondering if a Saddlebred or National Show Horse (Saddlebred/Arab cross) might be something to consider. I am mainly a dressage & hunter/jumper rider, but posting in Eventing since it covers the spectrum.

[Training_Cupid]

A saddlebred isn’t the most ideally suited to most sporthorse disciplines, but that’s certainly not to say you can’t find one that is. Especially for lower levels. Things I’d look out for: not too much knee action; doesn’t rack, or at least favors trot over it; not too high set neck; not too hot.

Giver your criteria, I would consider an appendix or lighter built QH. Or if they are common in your area, a standardbred. Or plenty of very nice grade horses out there!

[D_BaldStockings]

I think so.
See below

https://twitter.com/katrinaschmale
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/05/216.shtml#axzz4kUgoVp3Q
http://eventingnation.com/tag/american-saddlebred/
http://www.horsenation.com/2014/02/12/eventing-nation-a-saddlebred-event-horse/

There are many pics on pinterest or you can look on ‘Saddlebreds are fun’ or ‘Saddlebred sporthorse’ for others
and here
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/eventing/165475-saddlebreds-and-eventing

[JER]

I have two part-Saddlebreds. I ride at a (driving) barn with a lot of SB-types, mostly known under the more prestigious nomenclature of ‘Dutch Harness Horses’.

The DHH is an awesome sport horse. Does it all. They’re usually a mix of ASB, KWPN, Gelderlander, and Arab. Some of the really fancy imported ones are by fancy exported-to-Holland ASB stallions. The usual size I see is about 15.2hh because carriage drivers like smaller, but you’ll see them in bigger sizes too, all the way up to 17+hh. Prices are usually very reasonable.

ACMEeventing acquired a DHH recently for eventing, IIRC.

My two SB crosses are (1) SB, Belgian draft, TB – now 34 years old, sound, competed at Prelim into his 20s, safest jumper ever; and (2) Friesian Sport Horse who is part SB – he does everything well and is the kindest, cheeriest horse of the planet.

There are some full SBs at the barn who ride & drive and are very cool horses.

But it’s like with any other breed or type – look for a sporty type with a good work ethic and decent conformation and you’ll probably be a happy horse owner.

[Gardenhorse]

I leased a Saddlebred for a couple of years and showed him through first level. He was then sold to a junior rider who ended up showing him successfully through fourth level. He had lovely gaits and was very fun to ride. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to buy him at the time, but would have loved to.

[Duramax]

I teach a girl who has a Saddlbred that flunked out of SB school for not being Saddlebreddy enough. He’s the coolest horse. He is very very uphill- so much so that sometimes when we are trying to get him to stretch out and down that I’ll tell her to put him on his forehand, lol! He’s honest and nimble and can pitter patter his feet around to make any distance work out. It’s been fun watching his muscling change as he’s learned to go around in less of a bowl shape and more like a rainbow shape. I think there may be easier types of horses out there but I certainly wouldn’t pass up a good Saddlebred.

[SmartAlex]

Based on the ASB/Arab crosses I’ve known, I wouldn’t search there. Too often they get the flake from both sides at once. But if you find one that is brave, by all means go for it.

As far as purebred ASBs - they have a lot to offer. Shop for a canter. I would bet the biggest obstacle will be finding a strong canter/gallop. They default to trot. You want an old fashioned type who can keep their head down and not hollow out on you.

Health concerns? Look for good bone and strong hooves. Insulin Resistance is fairly common.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

I have known a couple of NSHs that were good all around horses - good-minded and very versatile. I wouldn’t rule them out - but as with all the other advice upthread, look for the athletic individuals with good brains.

[khall]

I love a good ASB or cross. I would absolutely buy one if I ran across the right one. Often a ASB reject is dirt cheap. Those ASB crosses bred for sport not as cheap.

[sdlbredfan]

Look here for Saddlebreds who are indeed excelling at eventing:
http://www.saddlebredversatility.org/
https://www.facebook.com/VERSA-638736079514776/
and on Facebook there are a couple of groups where you can find more pictures and owner testimonials.

Do not listen to the ‘breed prejudice’ people who tell you that they cannot do it. Bear in mind that the Saddlebred is an American Warmblood, an awesome amalgamation of Thoroughbred, Morgan and Standardbred source bloodlines. Although the genotype is set now, you will find some phenotypes that look more like Morgans, some that look more like Thoroughbreds etc, but the stamina, ‘heart’ and can-do attitude is built right into all of them. I have had the pleasure of knowing and riding a large number of them over the past 55 years, so I know whereof I speak.

[cb06]

@Training Cupid

A saddlebred isn’t the most ideally suited to most sporthorse disciplines,…

Well, this is patently false, but unfortunately indicative of ingrained misinformation (i.e., Saddlebreds ideally do not gait naturally, W/T/C like every other non-gaited horse is the norm, not the exception…). As sdlbredfan mentioned, Saddlebreds have a foundation that includes a large percentage of Thoroughbred, but rather than selecting for speed, they’ve been bred for over a hundred years to be a good all-around riding horse…athletic, comfortable and a trainable, people-oriented temperament. Most really LIKE to jump.

Like shopping for any horse, look for basic, athletic conformation and movement (especially walk/canter), and a trainable mindset.

This is a good Facebook group to look at also (closed, so ask to join),
https://www.facebook.com/groups/372756756171676/

of the many things you will find there…

This lovely young gelding is currently listed available at reasonable price…
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and this is Rocco, aka. Canyonleigh Sirecho, Kate Chaddertons 1* horse, now safely teaching the young riders.

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Good luck, they are fabulous horses.

[sdlbredfan]

Please let us know what part of the country you are in, as some of us may know of some trainers or breeders in your area to recommend.

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

I recently sold a really wonderful ASB/Hanoverian gelding that as an AA I brought along myself to Training level and had my life not gotten in the way he would have gone higher.

https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.krische/media_set?set=a.10204986435916740.1073741871.1116980909&type=3

[iamanequestrian]

Absolutely! I have an ASB that used to do saddleseat but I am now retraining her for eventing. She’s an incredibly good jumper (has gone up to 3’6") and absolutely adores cross country. She has been a little hot for the dressage, but she’s always been very spicy. However, she has been coming along very well and is beginning to understand how to hold a frame and actually use herself. They’re definitely not your average event horse but they’re so brave and willing.

[enjoytheride]

Biggest issue with saddlebreds is that some tend to be hot and they can be high headed which makes raising their backs and lowering the head and neck a challenge.

I am not a fan of the Dutch HH crosses I have seen, similar conformation makes them flashy leg movers but most ammys struggle with engaging the rear, lowering the head and neck, and raising the back. The ones I have seen are also hot.

[caffeinated]

I think a lot depends on the level you want to go, but I love Saddlebreds. A lot of people have already touched on the issues you might encounter and what to look for, but I think for the most part it’s a very good-minded breed, which would be my priority at this point when buying. The ones I’ve known have been very good natured and willing and versatile, so I’d definitely consider one. The biggest issue I think you run into is how well the horse is built to go properly for dressage, they can get a little hollow, especially if they’ve had saddleseat training (though I saw one once at Good Hands Finals in Harrisburg who REALLY used himself nicely and could have transitioned to the dressage ring with zero difficulty - they’re definitely out there!)

[sdlbredfan]

This just came across my FB feed. I recommend this group as a way to look for prospects. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7562…98234346174982

The horse currently at top of that group page, Apparent Magnitude, includes a link to a Saddlebred hunt seat class. Even if you do not plan to also show in breed shows, that division in Saddlebred shows is another place to look for prospects.

[D_BaldStockings]

King’s Lady in Black (Sammie) did very well at Eventing during the mid-2000’s. She had several very fast times on course and was careful and bold.
pic
http://www.saddlesbredsarefun.com/Images/Event/New%20Event/Event%202006/Sammie%20into%20water%20640.JPG

At a 2008 CA Horse Expo, she became a substitute mount for a young child whose horse was lame in a sort of versatility class with John Lyons as Judge and despite neither having partnered before put in a very good showing.
The horse’s temperament was highly praised by Mr. Lyons… I cannot find my file on this-sorry!

A good Saddlebred well raised will do anything the rider asks, then try to give more.
They are extremely generous and trainable. The TB x SB cross is more horse than most would want for lower level Ammy use; and was quite popular ‘back in the day’ for Jumpers, Eventing.

Dem hosses is smart!

Get one.

[FatCatFarm]

@D_BaldStockings

A good Saddlebred well raised will do anything the rider asks, then try to give more.
They are extremely generous and trainable. The TB x SB cross is more horse than most would want for lower level Ammy use; and was quite popular ‘back in the day’ for Jumpers, Eventing.

Dem hosses is smart!

Get one.

It was posts likes these on here which had me seeking out my crosses. If I told you what I bought the two buckskins for, you would be shocked! Incredibly reasonable and were I to sell them, I’d be asking bunches more and get it. I have found that any hotness is greatly tempered by their sweet natures and eagerness to please. Having had everything from Arabians to warmbloods (Trakehners, Hanoverian and Dutch) to TB’s, a Connemara and an Irish Sport Horse, my ASB crosses are hands down, my favorites to enjoy, have fun on and even win on. No, I’m not going to the Olympics so I have horses who are fun and capable. And that issue of coming over their backs, I’d rather deal with that than the myriad other issues I’ve encountered such as soundness problems, emotional problems, terrible feet, shitty attitude and what not.

[luvmyhackney]

There’s approx 30-35 Saddlebreds at New Holland that were consigned to be sold this week. Didn’t know if anyone here would be interested in picking up an inexpensive saddlebred. Most are saddleseat washouts.