Probly the dumbest riding style!

Has anyone heard of saddleseat riding? What is the purpose of that? Sry but I think it's weird and they are so cruel to those horses.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Not something I would be interested in doing. I think its a reason to get fancy pants clothes

Saddleseat is one of my favorites.
I love to see a truely talented Park horse strut its stuff.

What's the purpose of ANY riding style? For pleasure? For show? Is riding a horse in any way actually even "natural" for it?


Origins are from smooth-moving, high-stepping horses that were used by plantation owners to travel around their fields. The horses had to be smooth for the long hours spent in the saddle, but they were also "flashy". Another influence was European: On Sundays, riders would show off their flashiest, most animated horse. Hence the terms "park" or "park action."

Alot of the horses used for saddleseat are bred for it.

And not ALL OF THEM ARE CRUEL.
Their are cruel people in EVERY riding discapline. Park, reining, western pleasure, halter, eventing... Cruelty is a part of the horse industry and probably always will be.

My mother showed Country English Pleasure on the Arab circuit for years and was NEVER cruel to her horse in any way, shape, or form. I can't speak for other saddleseat-type horses [Saddlebreds, Walkers, Morgans etc] but the Arab show circuit [at least when my mother showed] was strict about their rules. Hooves could only be so long, shoes could only weigh so much. I'm almost posivitve that tail-setting is prohibited on the Arab circuit.
Yes, I'm sure some people still used cruel training methods outside the showring though. But it's unfair to say ALL saddleseat riders/trainers are abusive.

http://www.usef.org/documents/breeds/ArabBook.pdf

Those are the guidelines for Arabs. It tells the leangth and such of shoes/hooves.

Like I said. Abuse is part of the horse industry. Not EVERY rider in a specific discapline is guilty of it though.

Sorry. That was a bit of a rant. But I can't tell you how many times I've heard things like that. Lol.

Sorry didn't mean to insult anyone I do agree there is cruelty in all animal areas. I hear all the time about riding gaited horses isn't really riding (I ride a gaited horse) and trail riders are all old geezers who shouldn't be on a horse. So I know how it is when someone disses your riding style or horse. I'm always amazed how many people dislike gaited horses Who knows, but I love mine.

Sorry. I wasn't trying to sound mean. I was just trying to get some facts out there. I always hear a load of crap about how Arabs are so wound up and nuts, and even MORE crap about how saddleseat riding is such a horrible thing to be into, blah blah blah.
To each his own. Or whatever that saying is, lol.

I love gaited horses. I'm sooo madly in love with Paso's. I'd kill to own one. And I think it'd be so awesome to take a Saddlebred for a spin... Haha, we used to board at a Fox Trotter stable, and my mother's in love with them now, after she got to trail ride a few.

I'm sorry I had to delete that post....It was rude. Everyone here is entitled to there own opinions please keep this in mind. Maybe what you should have done is tell everyone your views.

Holey moley guys settle down! Every one...as many stated are allowed to there own opinion...wether you think its wrong or not. Horseluver, can you tell me what was the purpose of this post? You must of knew somethings about it (saddle seat riding), other wise you wouldnt of said it was cruel... :roll:

Thank you Barnrat

Delregans Way, I wasn't meaning anything I just like to hear other oppinions on things. I know this girl at my barn who rides saddleseat and she doesn't even like horses she's mean to them. I'm glad other people like it. You should be alowed to post your oppinion without getting yelled at.

Thats good horseluver. And I wasnt yelling sweety lol You do have a point... and im glad your open minded towards the matter. This girl, do you know for absolute sure she 'hates' horses...thats a big conclusion to come to, have you heard her side of the story first..? Sorry if you thought I was having a go at you darl...im glad you didnt take it the wrong way

Sadly some people harm horses thinking its the only way to make things work. It's sad...but sometimes you can't get through to them....*thinking of someone at the barn...*