Spotted Saddle Horse: Breed Profile

Theres something absolutely breathtaking about a pinto horse and the Spotted Saddle Horse was created to embody the beauty of the pinto and the smooth ride of a gaited horse. Closely resembling a compact Tennessee Walking Horse this breed is ideal for many purposes from trail riding to showing. The Spotted Saddle Horse has many other traits like its surefootedness and its calm nature that make it a popular choice among many riders today.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT 900 to 1000 pounds
HEIGHT 14 3 to 16 hands

BODY TYPE Refined lighterweight horses with short backs and muscular chests
BEST FOR Trail riding pleasure riding and competing
LIFE EXPECTANCY 25 to 30 years
Spotted Saddle Horse History and Origins
This eyecatching breeds origins begin in central Tennessee. Breeders crossed Tennessee Walking Horses and Missouri Fox Trotters with pinto horses resulting in gaited horses with beautiful pinto coloring. These horses were bred primarily for pleasure and trail riding. Additional breeds including Standardbreds mustangs Paso Finos and Peruvian Pasos were later added to further refine the breed. Through the Spotted Saddle Horses development there has always been a focus on preserving the breeds natural gaits while also producing horses with pinto coats that are wellsuited for riding.
The Tennessee Walking Horse still heavily influences the Spotted Saddle Horse today and many of these horses are doubleregistered as Tennessee Walking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses.
Spotted Saddle Horse Size
These horses have a lighter stature making them ideal for riding. They typically stand between 14 3 and 16 hands high and most horses weigh between 900 and 1100 pounds. Ideal horses have a shorter back a muscular chest and a refined head.
Breeding and Uses
Today the Spotted Saddle Horse makes a popular show mount. You may find these horses competing in a variety of classes including pleasure classes inhand classes and driving classes. These horses have an impressive presence in the show ring but their comfortable gaits also make them ideal for pleasure and trail riding.
Purebred horses can be registered in two breed registries. The National Spotted Saddle Horse Association was founded in 1979 and prioritizes the use of only humane training and showing techniques. This registry bans trainers owners and riders from using devices like stacked shoes weighted shoes and pastern chains. The Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association was formed in 1985 and also functions as a breed registry. To be registered with the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association horses must