Training

At Seldom Seen, we specialize in the Saddleseat style of english riding, specifically working with the American Saddlebred breed of horse. From day one, we will assess your horse's natural ability and create a training plan that is unique and specific to that horse. We will focus on strengthening and behavioral training, ensuring that your horse is physically fit and prepared for the competitive show ring. We also work with horse and rider as a team, so that the rider is mentally and physically ready for anything that may happen while riding at home or at a show.

Saddleseat training

Saddleseat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high action and animation of certain horse breeds, including the American Saddlebred, Morgan, Friesian, and Arabian. Horses are trained to develop and enhance their natural ability, and will either fall into one of two categories of Saddleseat riding: Three-Gaited or Five-Gaited. Three-Gaited horses perform at the walk, trot, and canter. Depending on which division of Three-Gaited a horse shows in, they may be required to extend the trot, extend the canter, or hand-gallop, and halt on the rail. Five-Gaited horses also perform the walk, trot, and canter, but they also show at the slow gait and rack. Our training program focuses on strengthening horses to perform at the best of their ability for their particular division, as well as reinforcing good manners and behavioral traits. 

The American Saddlebred

Seldom Seen Farm specializes in the training and showing of American Saddlebred Horses.

The American Saddlebred Association (ASHA) gives an excellent description of the breed on their website: The American Saddlebred remains the ultimate show horse, high-stepping and elegant. A show horse is a spectacle of beauty and grace but is also an intense athletic competitor. American Saddlebreds compete in four primary divisions in the show ring: Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness and Pleasure. Each division has its own "look," and competitors should be groomed to perfection. Five-gaited, fine harness and show pleasure horses are exhibited with full manes and tails. Five-gaited horses are shown with roached, or trimmed, manes to accentuate their long, fine necks.

The common denominator for American Saddlebreds in the show ring is that they should be alert, showing with neck arched, head up and ears forward, projecting an attitude of "Look at me!" They are judged on performance, manners, presence, quality and conformation.

The characteristics that have contributed to the American Saddlebred’s reputation as the "peacock of the show ring" also make him a versatile horse. Smoothness of gaits, speed coupled with intelligence and powerful muscling enable him to do whatever is asked of him. Saddlebreds have excelled in many non-traditional disciplines such as dressage, eventing, show jumping, combined driving, and endurance, as well as recreational and competitive trail riding. An American Saddlebred is capable of almost any task he is asked to perform and will do it with extraordinary style.

Rider training

Our trainer, Mandy, works with each horse and rider combination to ensure they are both working together as a team. Rider training is just as important as the training of the horse. Both horse and rider are athletes, and must be trained as such. Riders who have the opportunity to compete will work with their show horses weekly. They will also ride the lesson horses to work on specific skills that they will then apply with their show horse(s). For more information about rider instruction, please visit the Riding Lessons page.