I’m glad you liked it – I’ve always ridden Saddle Seat and Saddlebreds (and therefore think dressage is redicuoulsly easy in comparison, especially since I like my horses responsive to the slightest twitch AND supernova hot all at once!), and am so glad to see that there are sport horse people out there willing to give our style a try!

You should see if you can try a 5-gaited horse some time – the only thing I can compare the rush of a full-blown Rack to is maybe driving a supercar at it’s full speed!

Saddlebreds are some of the most spoiled horses in the world and we would NEVER sore them. Denny sees the accupuncturist and the chiropractor more than I do!

I’m unfortunately getting out of the industry for now (just graduated college & my parents won’t pay much longer), but it’s straight up addicting. I’m contemplating going into the industry as a professional because I love it so much. Saddlebreds are the sweetest bravest horses I’ve ever met as a breed; my first ASB greets me by licking my whole head & Denny throws an absolute fit if I walk by him without stopping to at least pet him. Saddleseat Morgans and Arabians can also be entertaining but nothing compares to the breed that was BRED to go Saddleseat.

Racking a Saddlebred is very similar to tolting an Icelandic; if you haven’t ridden an Icelandic, you’d love them. They’re basically tiny Saddlebreds that think they’re huge & awesome. Hitting full speed on a truly square & sound racking ASB is unlike anything you can imagine; many people compare it to driving a Rolls-Royce or Ferrari.

Thank you for such a great post about our breed and I encourage you to take a few more lessons, it’s a wonderful workout and loads of fun!

As for soring, it’s not done. First, we want Saddlebreds to trot; a sored horse won’t do that. Second, we want them happy, using their ears and being bright. Enough said.

Take advantage of the trainers’ offers through Equestrian Life. You’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime if you don’t. Just be prepared to fall in love.

Thanks, Jo, for sharing with the original writer. As she said, you’re a great lady and a real ambassador for the breed we love.

Secondly, when you go, ask if you can ride a 5-gaited horse and get to try a slow-gait and rack. It is nothing like trotting or cantering – its a blast!

I LOVED Flying Cross; it was my first time there. The stadium was fun–loved the little cross-country element in the middle–and the cross-country courses were super, so educational. We jumped clean stadium but had a dumb pilot-error on cross-country–we blew past a skinny, oops–but my horse came off the course feeling so confident. This was only his third prelim and we got a chance to try our hand at such a wide variety of fences. I will definitely be going back in the future!