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Saddle seat is a form of riding that is found in the United States, and to a lesser extent in Canada, Europe, Africa and Australia. The goal is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, and the discipline is especially flashy and showy. All saddle seat riding is done on the flat (jumping is not involved).
Just as with the other disciplines governed by the United States Equestrian Federation, the discipline name is two words, Saddle Seat and not one as may be commonly misused.
History
Saddle seat riding as a distinct discipline developed in the United States, when smooth-moving, high-stepping horses were used by southern plantation owners and overseers to travel across their fields. These horses had to be comfortable enough to spend hours on while overseeing the plantation, but their rider also wanted a showy animal for riding in town. There was also some influence from Europe, particularly England, where wealthy riders would often show off their flashist, most high-stepping horses by riding them in city parks on Sundays. Hence, the term "park" or "park action" is still used today to describe competitions where the action of the horse is of paramount importance.
Type of Horse Required
Horses that naturally have an upright neck with high head carriage, as well as animated gaits and high action are best at saddle seat. They should be very energetic but still remain responsive to the rider's aids. Several breeds do well in this discipline, with the most well-known being the American Saddlebred. Other breeds commonly exhibited in saddle seat style are the National Show Horse, Tennessee Walking Horses, Morgans, and Arabians. Friesians, Andalusians, Hackneys, and Rocky Mountain Horses are also sometimes shown in this discipline.
Presentation of the Saddle Seat Horse
Show ring grooming and "turn-out" of the Saddle Seat horse is intended to emphasize elegance and grace. There are noticeable variations in grooming style between breeds, and sometimes within different disciplines of the same breed. Therefore, it is often quite easy for even newcomers to tell which breed is being shown by the way it is groomed.
The Mane and Forelock
Horses shown saddle seat generally are left with a very long, flowing mane and forelock that is not trimmed or pulled. For American Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, and other gaited breeds that adhere closely to their traditions, the first lock of the mane and the forelock may be braided with satin ribbon, which is color-coordinated with the browband of the bridle and the rider's outfit. On the other hand, Arabian and Morgan exhibitors are specifically prohibited from braiding or adding ribbons to their horses. The "bridle path" (the area of the mane just behind the horse's ears, where the bridle lays across the top of the horse's head) is often trimmed more than in other disciplines in order to show off the length of the horse's neck, often with at least 6-8 inches of mane shaved off.American Saddlebreds shown specifically in "3-gaited" park-style competition are shown with a roached (entirely shaved off) mane and forelock, to accentuate the lines of the neck and head.
The Tail
The tail is left long, and often the bottom of it is kept wrapped up at the stable so that it grows long enough to skim or even drag on the ground as the horse moves. The only variation to the full-length tail is in Saddlebred "3-Gaited" competion, where tails are shaved for a few inches at the top of the dock, to match and balance the roached mane, though left long and flowing below.Tail-Setting
Some breeds (such as the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse), are shown with an artificially "set tail" in the high action classes, such as 3-gaited and 5-gaited under saddle classes, and Fine Harness competition. Set tails are not allowed in Saddlebred or Tennessee Walking horse "pleasure" classes or in most "flat shod" classes, and some saddle seat breeds, such as the Arabian and Morgan, prohibit it altogether.Tail setting is a controversial subject. To create the artifical line popular in competition, an operation is usually performed in which the retractor muscles on the underside of the dock are nicked (the tail is not broken, as some people believe). Once healed, the tail will not lay totally flat.
It is also possible to put the horse in a humane tail brace, a device which will keep the tail up without the horse having to go through the nicking procedure. However, whether a tail brace is used or the horse has had the nicking operation, in either case the tail must then be kept in a "tail set" to maintain the look. A tail set is a harness-like device with straps that loop from the chest of the horse to the back of the tail using a crupper. A tail set holds the tail upright and stretches the muscles that hold the tail up, preventing the tail from gradually sinking down. Set tails require much effort on the part of the groom. If the set tail is not taken care of appropriately, even a nicked tail will drop down to a more normal position in a few months. , Because it would be dangerous to turn a horse out in a tail set, horses in active competition must stay in a stall most of the time except when being schooled or exercised under direct supervision. Only in retirement or during a long layoff is the tail set removed and the horse allowed pasture turnout
In some breeds, notably Saddlebreds, the upright set tail shortens the length of the rest of the tail by several inches. Therefore, horses with a thin or slow-growing tail may have a false tail added. False tails are not allowed in Morgan or Arabian competition. When used, false tails should not be obviously fake; they need to match the horse's natural hair color and flow into the natural tail.
The Legs and Head
The horse's legs are trimmed, and the chestnut cut close to the skin. The only exception to this tradition of closely-trimmed legs is for breeds such as the Fresian where feathery fetlocks are a breed trait.The head is also trimmed closely, paying special attention to the jaw, muzzle, ears (including the inside), and eyes. The whole face often is clipped, especially on a horse with a winter coat, sometimes even the entire body, to give the horse a finer appearance.
Show Classes
- For information on horse gaits required by different classes, see: Horse gait
Classes under saddle may include:
- Three-Gaited: Open to American Saddlebreds, shown at the walk, trot, and canter
- Five-gaited: Open to American Saddlebreds, shown at the walk, trot, canter, rack (a fast, showy gait), and slow-gait (four-beat gait with great suspension).
- Plantation Walker: Open to Tennessee Walking horses, shown at a Walk, Running Walk, and Canter.
- Park: A class designation used in both Arabian and Morgan competition, where horses are shown at a walk, trot, and canter, judged on their brilliant, high action.
- Pleasure: A class designation used in almost every breed, designated classes where good manners and smooth performance are more important than brilliant action. Most pleasure classes require horses to show at a walk, trot and canter, often calling for extended gaits.
- Equitation: judges the rider's form and use of aids. Also see Saddle Seat Equitation.
Class terminology varies between breeds. For example, Saddlebreds may be shown in "Classic Pleasure" or "Country Pleasure." Morgans and Arabians have Park, English Pleasure, and "Country" or "Classic" Pleasure classes. Tennessee Walkers in Plantation Pleasure or Performance. Each class may ask for different variations of the gaits, extended gaits, and sometimes for any specialized gaits. Any of the breeds used for saddle seat competition may sometimes also be shown in harness in "fine harness" or other driving competitions, usually requiring a walk and two speeds of trot. Rules for horse grooming and handler attire parallel saddle seat rules.
In any competition, classes may be broken down by any of the following criteria:
- Age Divisions: may be divided by age of horse or rider. Horses may be divided into junior horses, usually age 4 and under, and senior horses, usually age 5 and over. Under the rules of the USEF, riders can be broken down into age groups as follows: 10 and under, 11-13, 14-17, 18-39 and 40 and over.
- Experience: divided by the experience of the horse or rider. The most common categories are: Maiden - never having won before in the division, Novice - never having won over 3 classes in the division, Limit - never having won over 6 classes in the division.
Tack
Saddle seat riders use a special saddle not seen in other riding disciplines. These saddles have a cut-back pommel, which has a pommel that is four inches further back to allow for the high withers of the horse. The saddle has little padding, with a very shallow seat, and are placed further back on the horse to allow the extravagant movement of the horse. This saddle also places the rider slightly "behind the motion," which makes it easier to influence both the headset of the horse and the animal's gaits.
The size of the saddles are usually a few inches bigger than other English saddles.
The horse wears a double bridle (full bridle), with both a curb bit and a snaffle. This allows more fine-tuning of the horse's head set. The shanks of the curb bit are often longer than those found in dressage, with shanks averaging at 7 inches in length. The browband is commonly leather with a colored strip, usually red.
Running martingales are also sometimes used in practice but not in the show ring.
Shoeing and action
High action is prized in the Saddle Seat horse. Therefore, many horses used in saddle seat are shod with pads and special shoes. The shoes are often held in place with a metal band, as well as with clinches, because of their weight. Longer toes and heavier shoes allow a Saddle Seat horse to lift its feet and knees higher, or reach them out farther, with more "snap" and flash. Toe length and shoe weight therefore is an often controversial issue among Saddle Seat competitors.
The exact combination of elevation (knee height) and extension (how far out in front the horse reaches with its feet) is determined to some extent by breed and fashion. However, for the health of the horse, specialized shoeing should not change the hoof angle to any significant degree, and more than a 3 degree alteration often causes lameness.
The balance of the shoe can alter action: the Three-Gaited American Saddlebred and the Hackney Horse have the highest knee action, while the Tennessee Walking horse is asked to perform the "big lick," exaggerated action of the front legs, especially in the running walk, where the horse both lifts its feet very high and reaches them out in front as far as possible.
In pleasure and "flat shod" competition for Saddlebreds and Tennessee walkers, built-up shoes and pads are not allowed, all action must be produced from natural ability. In saddle seat breed competition for Morgans and Arabians, pads and slightly weighted shoes are allowed, but with strictly-enforced limits on overall toe length and shoe weight.
Many Saddle Seat horses also wear certain devices to increase their action while in training. Use of these devices is also controversial, though when used correctly, they help develop mecessary muscles and do not cause the horse physical pain. Devices used include "stretchies" (rubber tubing attached to the front legs), weighted "rattles" (large beads) or chains placed around the fetlock, and shackles, a device usually used with the handler on the ground, designed to enhance the action of all four legs. Depending on the breed, some devices may be used in the warm-up area but not the show ring, while other breeds ban them from the show grounds entirely.
The most controversial practice used on a few saddle seat horses, mostly Tennessee Walkers, is "soring," the placing of a caustic ointment on the coronary band and pastern of the horse, to cause pain so that the horse picks up its feet as quickly as they touch he ground. Because of the pain it causes to animals, soring has been banned by federal law, enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture as part of the Horse Protection Act. However, enforcement is spotty amongst show-sanctioning organizations, and funds are not sufficient for the USDA to inspect all horse shows. So even though the practice is widely condemned and illegal, it does still occur in some areas.
Clothing
Correct Saddle Seat attire differs from that of Western or Hunt Seat disciplines. For both men and women, it is closely modeled on men's business suits and/or the tuxedo, with variations in styling designed to improve the rider's appearance on horseback. Fashion in Saddle Seat disciplines changes with changes in menswear fashions, reflected in collar styles, shirt and tie designs, and sometimes in length of coat and color of linings.
According to the United States Equestrian Federation, conservative solid colors must be worn, such as black, navy blue, brown, dark green or gray. Pinstriped fabrics and other fabric textures that appear solid at a distance are also acceptable. However, in some classes, it is also legal to wear a "Day Coat," which is a coat that is of a contrasting color from the rider's pants.
In all classes, Riders wear Kentucky jodphurs (jods), which are close-fitting pants with knee patches and bell-bottoms that go over the boots, usually with a strap that goes under the boot to keep them from riding up. A long, fitted coat is also required. For men, the coat length usually stops just above the knee. For women, depending on height, the coat may be below the knee, though exact length varies from year to year as show ring fashions change. The outfit is complete with the addition of jodphur boots that come just over the ankle (similar to "paddock boots" sometimes worn in other disciplines), a hat (usually a derby for women and a fedora for men), a vest, tie, and dark gloves. In some breeds, riders have coat linings made in a contrasting color to add extra flash, though colored linings go in and out of style on a regular basis.
In equitation classes, where the rider is judged, the coat and jods must match. In performance classes, where the horse is judged, a matching equitation-style suit is appropriate, or riders, particularly women, may wear a day coat. Riders usually carry a longish whip, usually black, that is similar to that used by dressage riders. English-style spurs are optional. Technically a white-handled whip is only carried after 6:00 pm, but that particular tradition is widely ignored.
After 6:00p.m., some classes allow a rider to wear formal attire, with usually consists of a black or dark navy blue long coat with matching satin lapels, top hat, vest or cummerbund, bow tie, white gloves and matching jodphur pants with matching satin strip on outside of pant leg. No formal attire can be worn in pleasure or pleasure equitation classes, but it is commonly seen in evening equitation championships, and in "park" style classes for American Saddlebreds, Morgans and Arabians. In a few breed disciplines, though never in equitation, wearing flashy, brocaded coats in a formal class in lieu of a matching suit is occasionally fashionable.
External links
"Saddle seat"