The Spotted Saddle Horse combines a pinto horse’s elegance with a smooth gait horse’s riding. Similar in appearance to the smaller Tennessee Walking Horse, this breed is perfect for everything from trail riding to the show ring. Besides its good looks, this horse is famous for its firm footing and calm temperament. Let’s find out about the best buddy of any family with Canvas Personalized!
Spotted Saddle Horse Breed Key Figures
- Weight: 900 to 1,000 pounds
- Height: 14.3 to 16 hands
- Best for: Trail riding, pleasure riding, and competing
- Lifespan: 25 to 30 years
1. Background Of The Spotted Saddle Horse Breed
The history of this beautiful breed goes back to central Tennessee. To create gaited horses with attractive pinto coloring, breeders bred pinto horses with the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Missouri Fox Trotter. The species was improved by mixing in additional species such as the Standardbred, mustang, Paso Fino, and Peruvian Paso. Throughout the development of the Spotted Saddle Horse, the focus has always been on keeping the breed’s natural gaits while making horses with pinto coats that are good for riding.
This horse is still highly influenced by the Tennessee Walking Horse. Many of these horses are registered as both Tennessee Walking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses.
2. Spotted Saddle Horse’s Appearance
Generally, a Spotted Saddle Horse can be mistaken for a Tennessee Walking Horse. But it is a bit more stocky and more petite in size.
This breed is known for its ambling spotted saddle horse gaits. These horses are also athletic. And colorful coats have a unique pattern that makes them different in the horse world. Their heads are smooth, about the same length as the body, and either slightly rounded or straight. So, their eyes are set wide, and their faces have a soft, gentle look. The ears are not very long but have hooked lobes on the inside. The shoulders of this horse will be strong, sloped, and long. This breed also has a muscular chest with an average width.
The breed welcomes an extensive color and pattern spectrum. You can find these horses with pinto markings on any base color, and coat patterns like overo and tobiano are very popular. The hooves of many of these horses will be white. However, some will have black stripes.
3. Diet and Nutrition
A premium hay and grain diet, supplemented by pasture, is ideal for the Spotted Saddle Horse. Some of these equines can be “easy keepers,” requiring fewer food pellets to stay at a healthy weight. Horses ridden for long distances may require extra hay and grain to replace the calories consumed during these rides.
4. Grooming
Grooming your horse on a regular basis can help you develop a special relationship with your furry buddy. And this will also keep its coat in tip-top shape. This horse breed just need the basics when it comes to grooming.
Because of the white markings on their coats, owners of these horses have a harder time keeping them spotless. Cleaning the white coat parts of a horse is an essential part of getting it ready for a performance. Minor stains can also be remedied by spot-treating with a stain remover spray. Even with careful grooming and care, white legs tend to get dirty quickly. Whitening shampoos are an option for owners. And many riders use whitening boosters or chalks to make white legs stand out in the show ring.
A regular shedding blade may be used to remove loose hair. And a mane comb and tail brush can be used to maintain the horse’s mane and tail untangled. Moreover, if you see any infection or injury in your horse’s hooves, use a hoof pick to clean them out.
5. General Health Issues and Behavior
Most Spotted Saddle Horses have good health. However, some research suggests that these horses have a higher chance of having degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) than other horse breeds. DSLD is a painful inherited disorder that deteriorates ligaments and tendons in the legs and cannot be cured. This ailment is prevalent in gaited horses, which usually means that the horse can’t be ridden and will have to result in retirement as the disease worsens.
This breed is famous for its sociability, good manners, and eagerness to please. Spotted Saddle Horses are usually calm, which is a good trait for a horse on a trail. In addition to their strength and versatility, they are appreciated for their dependable demeanor and cooperative nature.
6. Is A Spotted Saddle Horse Appropriate for You?
The Spotted Saddle Horse pet is great for many riders because it moves smoothly and is calm. If you want a reliable trail horse that’s easy to ride or a beautiful one that will get everyone’s attention in the show ring, this breed might be perfect. These horses are up to 16 hands tall, so taller riders can also use them.
7. How To Adopt Or Purchase A Spotted Saddle Horse
You may find these horses for sale all across the country, and they are also inexpensive. Prices for younger horses who have received some training start at $4,000. This range, however, can be either higher or lower depending on the region, genetics, training, and show a record of the horse. You may contact local trail riding and gaited horse clubs. They could know of a good breeder or trainer with some of these horses for sale.
Local horse rescues may also have these horses for sale. To ensure the horse you adopt or purchase is the right fit for your needs, it’s best to have a trainer with you. Consider spending money on a pre-purchase exam to determine if the horse has any health problems that could make it unsuitable.
| Name | Website | Number |
| Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (SSHBEA) | www.sshbea.org | (931) 359-1574 |
| Spotted Saddle Horse Association (SSHA) | www.spottedsaddlehorse.com | (270) 865-9906 |
| Horse Finder | www.horsefinder.com | This website is a classified ad site for horses and may have Spotted Saddle Horses for sale or adoption. |
| EquineNow | www.equinenow.com | This website is another classified ad site for horses and may have Spotted Saddle Horses for sale or adoption. |
>> Further reading:
- Discover The Rocky Mountain Horse: Beauty And Versatility Breed
- Comprehensive The Thoroughbred Horse Breed Info
In conclusion, the Spotted Saddle Horse is a unique breed that horse fans love. This breed’s unique look and extremely smooth motion will win your heart. Whether you’re looking for a trail horse or a show horse, the Spotted Saddle Horse is a breed worth considering. Canvas Personalized hopes the information above will help you decide on a pet.
