The Saddle Horse

The old adage about necessity being the mother of invention was perhaps responsible for the development of that equine aristocrat known today as the American Saddle Horse. During early Colonial days, the Thoroughbred was introduced into this country, but that horse could not fulfill the urgent need for a hardy, sure-footed, intelligent horse that could carry its rider with ease and comfort for long distances at a more or less steady rate of speed. The Saddle Horse was developed to fill that need. Americans judiciously blended the bloodlines of the Arabian, Morgan, Thoroughbred, and even some nondescript blood, to produce the most beautiful, intelligent, and versatile light-horse breed ever known to man. In this informative and highly readable book, Lance Phillips, breeder, trainer, judge, and authority on horsemanship, traces the development of the breed from the beginning down to its present refinement. Starting with a short history of the breed and its development, the author goes on to chapters on equine psychology, training the two-year-old, breaking to ride, the various gaits and their teaching and development, and a highly useful chapter on selection of the horse. Mr. Phillips describes in detail his methods of step-by-step handling and training from the day the foal is dropped to the mature horse. Each type within the breed is dealt with, including three-gaited, model, five-gaited, and fine-harness horse. In addition to the text, there are over 130 illustrations augmenting and amplifying the author's comments, making this a beautiful as well as useful volume. These illustrations-paintings and photographs -show some of the most famous Saddle Horses; such horses as Wing Commander, Bourbon Chief, Mass of Gold, Stonewall King, Denmark's Daydream, and many others. Whether the reader is interested in horses for pleasure or show, Lance Phillips' The Saddle Horse is a welcome addition to the library of every lover of fine horseflesh.