UNITED SADDLEBRED ASSOCIATION-UK

The American Saddlebred is ideally suited for all types of competition as well as recreation and pleasure. His beauty, charm and adaptability to any task makes the Saddlebred owner proud to be the horse's partner in any setting. He carries himself with an attitude that is elusive of description —some call it “class,” presence, quality, style, or charm. This superior air distinguishes his every movement.

The ideal American Saddlebred is well-proportioned and presents a beautiful overall picture. The animal should be in good flesh, with good muscle tone and a smooth, glossy coat. Masculinity in stallions and femininity in mares are important and should be taken into consideration. The average height is 15 to 16 hands and the weight 1,000 - 1,200 pounds. Any colour is acceptable including pinto's.

The American Saddlebred should be easily identified and individuals should possess "type" so that they are not confused with another breed. The American Saddlebred should possess QUALITY: he should have clean, dense bones that are both fine and yet indicating substance. His tendons and joints should be sharply defined, his hair fine and he should have the general appearance of refinement. He should be of gentle disposition, be both active and intelligent and generally be of good temperament.

His head should be carried relatively high; size and dimensions in proportion, with clear-cut features, well-chiselled, smooth jaw line. The head should be well-shaped with large, wide-set expressive eyes, gracefully shaped, perhaps pointed ears set close together on top of the head and carried alertly; a straight face line with a relatively fine muzzle and large nostrils and a clean and smooth jaw line.

The American Saddlebred should have a long and supple neck, rising out of well defined and prominent withers, which extend well into the back. The neck should be arched and well-flexed at the poll with a fine, clean throatlatch. He should have deep, sloping shoulders that are long and muscular.

The front leg should set well forward under the shoulder. The line of the hind leg, in a natural stance, should be vertical from the point of the buttock to the back edge of the cannon bone. The forearms and hindquarters should be well muscled to the knees and hocks. His forearms should be long and descend to straight and deep knees. His legs should be straight with broad flat bones, short cannons, sharply defined tendons and long, smooth and sloping pasterns (45 degrees for the front legs ideally, but should match the angle of the shoulder). His hooves should be sound and open at the heel, neither toed in nor toed out, with large elastic frogs and wide heels.

His chest should be medium-wide and deep and his flanks deep and long, with a low underline and not tucked. His back should be strong, level and broad, with well sprung, long and close ribs. He should have a long and level croup with a well carried tail coming out high. His hips should be broad, round and smooth, set on full, muscular thighs. The American Saddlebred should possess broad and muscular gaskins and his hocks should be straight, wide, point prominent, deep, clean-cut, smooth and well-supported.

ANY JUDGE or interested party who wishes to know more about the breed standards and rules of showing the
                American Saddlebred Show Horse are invited to contact USA-UK.
                 An electronic power-point presentation is available covering the major topics. In addition judges from other breed
                societies or associations who are interested in a more hands-on approach are welcome to contact USA-UK to join
                our visiting accredited judges in the ring. They will talk through their choices, what they see in the ring and the class
                calls and requirements - a great insight to familiarise yourself with the breed.
                Contact USA-UK direct.

Send mail to Lynnusauk@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last Modified 10th June 2008.