American Saddlebred / American Saddlebred Horses

Family: Equidae

Description
The American Saddlebred horses typically stand between 15 and 16 hands high and come in a wide variety of colors. They have a small, elegant head with wide-set eyes set on a long neck that is arched and well-flexed at the pole. They have well-defined withers and a short back and flat croup. The legs are long and Saddlebreds are trained to stand with their hind legs camped out behind. The feet are grown unnaturally long and shod with heavy shoes to enhance the high-stepping action for the show ring, and the high-set tail is allowed to grow so long that it drags on theground.

The most distinguishing feature of the American Saddlebred is its high-stepping gaits. The Saddlebred can be either three-gaited or five-gaited. It naturally performs the walk, trot, and canter with some high-stepping action, but it can then be trained to perform these gaits with increased action and the additional ‘slow gait' and ‘rack'.

• Three-gait: The three-gaited variety performs only the walk, trot, and canter with high-stepping action.
• Five-gait: The five-gaited Saddlebreds are trained to perform the additional slow gait and rack.
• Slow-gait: The footfalls of the slow gait and rack begin with the lateral front and hind feet starting almost together, but the hind foot contacts the ground slightly before its lateral forefoot. The slow gait is a highly-collected gait with each of the four feet striking the ground separately. It is executed slowly but with distinct precision, full of style and brilliant restraint.
• Rack: In the rack, each foot meets the ground at equal, separate intervals. It gives a smooth ride and can achieve speeds up to 38 mph!

When they are moving, these gaited horses have their hind end tucked underneath and their withers and shoulders high, with the front legs kicking out in front. It is an amazing sight to see!

Horse Care and Feeding
Keeping an American Saddlebred show-ready is no easy task. They must be groomed regularly and their coats clipped for an even look. Their long tails can be kept in a tail bag for protection.

Canadian Sport Horse

Family: Equidae

Description
The Canadian Sport Horse Association stated aim is "to ensure production and promotion of a sound, solid horse, with a good disposition, capable of competing successfully in the Olympic Disciplines at all levels of competition." These horses can be bay, dark brown, chestnut, grey, pinto, palomino or black.
This sport horse should stand 16 hands or larger, with good proportion and a balanced look. They have a deep broad chest, a long sloping shoulder, well defined hind quarters, and solid knee and hock joints low to the ground with a good sized foot appropriate to the size of the horse. They should have naturally balanced movement with sufficient step to track up or overstep. They should demonstrate a good bascule when jumping with elevated front end and a powerful push from the hindquarters.

Horse Care and Feeding
The Canadian Sport Horse will do well in a show barn environment. They thrive on exercise and discipline, and do well in a box stall with daily turn out. They tend to be big eaters, and require a balanced diet with plenty of fresh hay and grain, without excessive carbohydrates. Vitamin and mineral supplements should be included as well, in accordance with the size of the horse.