First American Saddlebred I've ever had, what do you think?

Wow, this a cool looking horse! No critique as I don't know hardly anything about the breed to know what is desirable. Don't worry about the licking, my horse is a licker and has been all his life and has never bit any human flesh, ever and he is 13. One thing I will say about your horse, THAT NECK GOES ON FOREVER!!!!! I love that!

Pretty horse. He looks really nice. No outstanding flaws. He won't win Louisville, but I doubt that is why you got him. Lol!
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WOW!!!
I looked up the saddlebreds in the shows there! They are beautiful, but they look so odd to me. Don't get me wrong I can appreciate their beauty but their hooves look so long, and they step so high... I know people like it, and they are perfect examples of the breed.
Do their hooves and their gates ever hurt them over time? Forgive my ignorance, I knew nothing about saddlebreds I'm just kinda diving into the breed. :) like I said I fell in love with him, not so much his breeding. Though, I think I got lucky to have found him.

When I get home I will get you some good reading and links.

Short answer on soundness, no. One of my favorite three gaited horses was sadly retired last year at 19. Still rockin'! They are successfully bred to pick up their feet high, and do it well. You cannot force them to. Their soundness is essential to achieving that high action. At the trot, two feet are hitting the ground and supporting the horse at all times, and with the higher elevation the feet hit the ground with more force. If the horse is off, even a little bit, they will lose "motion". There will be unevenness in the gait, a head nod, and they will not pick their feet up any higher than necessary.

They are the BEST breed when you want that "buddy". They are bred for their inquisitive and personable nature. There are some that are nasty, but it is *usually* man-made. I grew up with them, so I am very biased, but I haven't met any other breed that can compare. I love other breeds, but they are just missing that...something. Hah, I love them.
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Thanks so much Lady. :) I really appreciate it!!
I have a video of him that was sent to me when I was enquiring about him at first. It's really bad quality but it shows his movements a little better. I don't see any gait in the video, nor did I see any when I lounged him. In all honesty I wasn't looking for it. I really got him as a riding buddy, and low level dressage. I'm just learning it. :) I can pm you his video, but like I said it bad quality. :)

Beautiful! Get some meat on him and fix up those feet and he'll be breath taking!

Thank you!!
Just need this weather to let up so he can be hauled home. Grrrr

Yeah, he looks 3 gaited to me. That means walk, trot, canter. The ones known as five gaited walk, trot, and canter as well, but have been taught the slow gait and the rack. Most are not trained for that.

Here are a few good YouTube videos for you.
The American Saddlebred - All American Athlete - YouTube

The Amazing American Saddlebred - YouTube

ALL of the Equestrian Life Videos are great. They have a program that you can get a coupon for a free riding or driving lesson with Saddlebreds and Hackneys.

Versatility - YouTube

The pinto early in the video with the girl in the blue coat is a little mare called Sprinkles. She is a World Champion and last year was given her own Breyer. She is phenomenal.
Why Are We Different - YouTube

ASHA - American Saddlebred Horse Association

I love this trainer. He is suchh a wonderful guy.
http://sunsetfarmsaddlebreds.com/

History Of The American Saddlebred Horse

There you go for now! Be proud. You are one of the club now. :)
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I REALLY love his coloring...but I guess I'm partial to that because my boy has the same coloring. I don't know enough about that breed, but I agree that he has great neck and shoulders,but his coupling looks a little thin. Maybe that will fill in when you get some more weight on him. Congrats on getting him. My boy is a licker too. Maybe that's a gaited horse trait?

Truly gorgeous !! I just love them.