Could someone give me info or websites about spotted saddle horses?

Question

I am looking at getting a spotted saddle horse, but I have never had one, so I don't know anything about them. Are they gaited? How do you show them in halter classes? What should their headset be when riding them? Any info would be appreciated. thanks

Answer 1

www.sshbea.org

that is their association web page

it has all the info you need

Answer 2

Yes they are gaited horses and strongly resemble a spotted TN Walker due to that breeds infuence in creating the  SSH.

National Spotted Saddle Horse Association

http://www.nssha.com/

Yes, they show in both halter and performance type classes. Here is a list of classes and their descriptions

http://www.nssha.com/classdivisions.html

Sample Class List

http://www.nssha.com/ClassSheets.html

Answer 3

hudson is right.

but i found several websites with loads of info on them:

http://www.sshbea.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_Sad...

http://www.nssha.com/

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/SSHorse.html

http://www.thegaitedhorse.com/spottedsad...

hope this helps :]

google them and you can find more info than i've given you

Answer 4

They are a branch off of the rocky mountain horse that allows Paints.  I think they closed their books but for a while the only requirements for registration were white above the knees (I think it had to be on body or legs above the knees) and gaited.  In this respect it was much looser than the rockies which had a size a requirement and also would not allow any horse with white on it above the knee.

Almost all gaited horses show with a high head set.  This is to make them look pretty and has nothing to do with the gait (unlike the common misconception).  The only exception to this that I know of is the versatility shows of the Missouri Fox trotter which want a head set which depends on the job the horse is doing (cattle penning requires a low head set and trails a medium, etc.).

Halter classes would involve teaching them to stand square (I do not believe they stretch or 'park out' the Spotted Saddle as the do the Tennessee Walker

If you want a paint horse with a gait and the opportunity for better shows try a Missouri Fox Trotter.  Many are beautifully painted.  The Fox trotter has more shows at least around here than any of the other gaited breeds.  Of course we are in the heart of Fox Trotter country (the headquarters is less than an hour away and it is the state horse of Missouri) so you would have to look locally.