Horses of the outside world. If one is going to do the thing, this is the epitome of the thing. The American Saddlebred: 4/1/17 5 Gaited World’s Grand Champions 1903 through 1947. Check out the sidesaddle in 1911.
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No saddle seat lesson last week. Barn at show. Using the space to ponder the horse search. As I said last time, “A good horse is any color & the right horse is any breed.” [Breeds for the Horse Search, Standardbred]
Do I really want a Saddlebred or have I gotten caught up in the possibilities? [Yet Another Requirement For My Theoretical New Horse]
If New Horse were registered with a breed, there would be double the opportunities. First, do the sport horse thing. Then, go over and do the breed thing. Quarter Horse Congress. Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. The Arabians have an entire Sport Horse Nationals for Arabs & Half Arabs. If New Horse is not that fancy, then at least the local and regional versions of these. Point is, there would be a new area to explore.
As previously, “This description is heavy on showing language. It is also shorthand for a horse willing to turn his hoof to whatever comes along: trail rides, obstacle clinics, tackless riding.” [Finding A Horse To Match The Hat]
Do I like Saddlebreds?
I like horses. They are horses. Therefore, I like them.
Does the breed hold a special place in my heart? Certain individuals definitely. The breed as a whole? Maybe not.
I’ve been wondering if Sam was one of the reasons I found a barn home at Stepping Stone for so many years.
“When I’m in a dark place, one of the things written on the wall of my soul is, ‘There are only two horses I can ride, and one of them is dead.’ Previous Horse was the latter. Sam is the other. Embrace this. Enjoy that I feel comfortable on a horse.” [Lessons, Theory Vs. Reality, Further Considerations]
He was the one I started on. [Sam I Am]
Even if I was riding other horses, he was always there in background. [Theory Vs. Reality].
Now, he’s gone and I have moved on. Or not.
Was my saddle seat binge due to one horse? Was it all the horses? Was it an artifact of where I ended up? Would I be hip deep in Quarter Horses if I had ended up at the western barn? [New Barn Checklist]
Getting the right horse will always depend on the individual. The likelihood of that individual being a Saddlebred is going down. Or perhaps, the chance was always low and I am simply recognizing this.
I’ll tell you one thing. I’d get a Saddlebred before a Warmblood. [Get Off My Lawn, And Take Your Warmblood With You].
If I end up with a gray, Warmblood mare, we can all take it as a sign that we have shifted to an alternate universe. [Horse Search, Of Mares & Warmbloods]
Onwards!
Katherine
You’re not even thinking of another bay TB? Me, I’d go for another Arabian. Or maybe a large pony, if you don’t mind looking a bit silly. Remember all the fun you had with Priney? She was a Welsh/TB cross, if you remember. What do you want to be doing with your next horse? Hunters? Saddle seat? Dressage? Back to eventing? Trail riding? Maybe a grade horse that can do whatever it is you want to do. Don’t give up hope, and you’ll find one you click with.
I would be so thrilled to be in a position, physically as well as fiscally, where I could have another horse.
I didn’t mentioned it here, but “We all know New Horse is going to be a bay, TB gelding.” [Horse Search, Of Mares & Warmbloods] Well, gray TB certainly wasn’t the answer. Anyway. Priney <3. What do I want to do? All of it. Grade. Remember George? He was as grade as they come. Also <3. Got the space, need the horse.
Yes, I remember George quite well. Priney and Chief both did the hunters, dressage, event, and trail. And a lot of just hanging out.
The horse will come, probably when you least expect it.
Big decision here. Me? I prefer Saddlebreds, always have. If one of the “old style” TB’s was around, if you can find one, you’d probably be happy. As I recall, “old style” had good legs, not dingy, just nice horses. Re warmbloods — no. NO. And, the side saddle 1911 World Champion Gaited horse, that used to be a common sight, decades and decades ago. MM