Can an american saddlebred be trained/ridden hunter jumper?

Question

If yes, what have been your experiences with training an american saddlebred to be a hunter jumper? (if any)

Answer 1

Yes!!  they absolutely can be trained and are ridden in many disciplines!!

Saddlebreds (which is what I ride!!) are often stereotyped to be considered high stepping gaited horses.  That is how they got the name of being the "Peacock of the Showring".  Although the majority are used as saddleseat show horses, they are trained and shod to "prance" around the ring and be very showy.  But the key word is TRAINED....although some Saddlebreds are just not meant to be high steppin' or pleasure show horses, they can be trained to jump, be used in Dressage (Harry Callahan) or just poke along a trail.  THEY ARE VERY VERSATILE!!

With proper training and knowing the capabilities of the horse, any horse can be trained to do anything.  You just need to know your horses limitations as not every horse performs at it's best doing something WE want them to do.  But that could be that particular horse and not the entire breed!!

A happy and content horse is one that enjoys the job at hand...no matter what breed!!

If you like playing soccer for example...and you are made to play baseball...you wouldn't like it and probably wouldn't enjoy playing it and your heart would not be there...even if you were forced to..you would become sour..so, it is no different for a horse..if you are a realistic, compassionate, respectful horseperson.  By that I mean there is no reason to "beat" or be cruel to a horse and make them do what they can't.  

You need to work as a team..especially if showing Hunter...where form and equitation are a major part.  Open too...just that the picture doesn't have to be "as pretty" cause you just want to clear the fences.....

Have fun and I hope that your horse will be a willing partner with you!!

Answer 2

Well a cross maybe here is a PART saddlebred jumping

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/1070...

Answer 3

Out of the 6 horses my old riding teacher had, 4 were registered saddlebreds. He had a hunter/jumper barn, and could those mares fly!

Answer 4

oh yes! in fact I think they would make great jumpers! Good jumpers have longer backs, BUT NOT TOO LONG some saddlebreds may be to long and not have enough power from the behind to jump

i think saddlebreds are very very versatile my neighbor has a beautiful chestnut one he's so pretty and she rides him western style and only trail riding!

almost any horse can be trained to jump but only very few can do it successfully!

and if he's fast t

he's probably make a better "jumper" than "hunter"

because most saddlebreds have HIgh head carrige i think it just dpends on how athletic your horse is, what his confirmation is like, and what his attitude is like

good luck!

Answer 5

only if it isnt trained to be gaited

Answer 6

yes pretty much any horse be trained to be a hunter jumper