Saddle seat

The goal of the saddle seat riding style is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, particularly the trot.

To the casual observer the rider sits well back in the saddle, carrying his or her hands higher than in other disciplines.

[2] The rider must make the riding look effortless, and stay still and well-formed on the horse, sitting upright, with shoulders back and posting that is graceful and quiet.

[3] Horse breeds usually shown saddle seat style typically have upright necks and free-moving, animated gaits.

This saddle also deliberately places the rider slightly "behind the motion", which makes it easier to influence both the headset of the horse and the animal's gaits.

However, good riders that ride a balanced saddle seat with long stirrups in a "classical" position (legs balanced under the rider, not sitting too far back on the horse's loins), are able to properly ride their horses, encouraging the animals to step under themselves and collect, raising their backs, elevating their necks, and working off their hindquarters.

Poorly made saddles of this style can be unbalanced and an improper seat leads to a hollow-backed horse who does not have properly engaged hindquarters, with a superficially correct front-end position that is achieved by improperly forcing the horse's head and neck up and in, usually by means of leveraged training aids.

A single curb bit is used for gaited horses such as the Tennessee Walker and Missouri Fox Trotter.

The cavesson is sometimes plain leather, and sometimes colored to match the browband, depending on breed and fashion trends in tack.

Therefore, many horses used in saddle seat are allowed to grow longer feet than in other disciplines and are shod with pads and special shoes.

Longer toes and heavier shoes encourage a saddle seat horse to lift its feet and knees higher, or reach them out farther, with more "snap" and flash.

Other breeds, such as the American Saddlebred allow a 1-inch wedge pad, while at the extreme, 4-inch "stacks" are seen on certain Tennessee Walking Horses.

In Country Pleasure competition for Saddlebreds and flat shod divisions for Tennessee Walkers, built-up shoes and pads are not allowed, all action must be produced from natural ability.

The exact combination of elevation (knee height) and extension (how far out in front the horse reaches with its feet) is determined to some extent by breed and fashion.

Devices used include stretchies (elastic rubber tubing attached to the front legs by fleece-covered leather half-hobbles, used to provide resistance training), weighted rattles (large beads) or chains placed around the fetlock, and "shackles" or a "running-W", devices composed of pulleys and ropes that help increase the horses' range of motion.

Because of the pain it causes to animals, soring has been banned by federal law, enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture as part of the Horse Protection Act of 1970.

[6] However, enforcement is spotty amongst show-sanctioning organizations, and funds are not sufficient for the USDA to inspect all horse shows.

According to the United States Equestrian Federation, conservative solid colors must be worn, such as black, navy blue, brown, dark green or gray.

In performance classes, in which the horse is judged, a matching equitation-style suit is appropriate, or riders, particularly women, may wear a day coat.

Under United States Equestrian Federation rules, a rider may opt to wear protective headgear in any class without penalty.

Show ring grooming and "turnout" of the saddle seat horse is intended to emphasise elegance and grace.

Horses shown saddle seat generally are left with a very long, flowing mane that is not trimmed or pulled.

Tennessee Walking Horses, five-gaited American Saddlebreds, three-gaited pleasure, and park Saddlebreds, and other gaited breeds that adhere closely to their traditions, are usually shown with a full mane and forelock, though the forelock and the first lock of the mane may be braided with satin ribbon, which is color-coordinated with the browband of the bridle and the rider's outfit.

[8] The American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse are shown with an artificially positioned tail in the "high action" classes, including park, three-gaited, five-gaited, and fine harness competition.

[9] Other saddle seat breeds, such as the Arabian, Racking Horse and Morgan, prohibit tail-setting altogether.

It is important to note that all American Saddlebred horses can compete with a natural, unset, and/or unbraced tail regardless of the division without penalty.

Once healed, the tail will still retain most of its movement and function, such as swatting flies, but can no longer be clamped down hard against the buttocks.

This method is uncommon since it is more time consuming and yields a "tighter" tail that is physically more difficult to brace.

The head is also trimmed closely, paying special attention to the jaw, muzzle, ears (including the inside), and eyes.

[11] The Saddle Seat Invitationals, held on the off years, are competed in by the Young Rider teams from various countries.