Saddle Seat Training

Saddle seat is a style of riding that features high-stepping horses that are beautiful, athletic and exciting to watch. For this reason, saddle seat divisions are popular areas of competition for highly motivated horse and rider teams. A saddle seat horse must meet certain physical standards and often requires extensive training. Riders must also undergo training.

  1. History

    • Saddle seat riding originated on the plantations of the rural American south and in the city parks of Europe. Competition has always been an aspect of saddle seat riding. American plantation owners wanted to impress their neighbors by riding tall, elegant horses, but also needed horses who were pleasurable to ride over large expanses of farm land. Similarly, European equestrians wanted horses who were high stepping and showy for Sunday rides through the park.

    Requirements

    • Saddle seat training requires a horse that is physically able to perform the gaits of walk, trot and canter in the animated, high-stepping fashion traditional to saddle seat riding. For the most part, saddle seat training is limited to specific breeds such as the American Saddlebred, the Morgan, the Arabian, and National Show horse. Saddle seat training also requires a diverse set of equipment, from the traditional "full bridle" and cutback saddle, to training implements such as "long lines," biting harnesses and jog carts.

    Trainers

    • Saddle seat trainers are typically individuals who have studied horsemanship and equitation for years, oftentimes working as an apprentice before starting their own stable.

    Methods

    • Saddle seat horses are often taught to drive before being broke to saddle. They may be started in harness as early as one year old. As the horse progresses, it will be broke to saddle, working first in snaffle bits before learning to accept the full bridle.

    Cost

    • Saddle seat training is expensive. Bills for training services can easily exceed $1,000 per month. Because saddle seat training is most often in preparation for show ring competition, one must plan for the added expenses of transportation, show fees and daily stall rates at fairgrounds and expo centers. Saddle seat horses often also require special shoeing, which makes for farrier bills that average over $200.

    Considerations

    • When choosing the correct saddle seat training program and trainer it is important to consider the individual goals of the horse and rider. If upper level competition is the ultimate aim, a trainer who has had competitive success in the past is a better choice than one who has not, despite the fact that their services will be more expensive. It is also important to assess the ability of the horse to perform the physically taxing movements of the saddle seat style. A knowledgeable saddle seat trainer will be able to evaluate the horse and offer a training program catered to its individual needs.