40
Picking A Winner
One of the first things I look for in the saddle type horse is attitude. I ask myself if this horse likes himself. Without
that sense of self, a horse can have all of the physical attributes for the jobs of a saddle type horse and, in the end,
come up short in the show ring. In my experience, with the correct attitude you can train around many of the things
that might be lacking on a horse’s physical or conformation details. Obviously, the conformation of the saddle type
horse is extremely important and can certainly make training the horse for harness or under saddle divisions easier,
but without that “inner spring” that sets them apart from the others, a perfectly conformed horse can come up short
when put in the ring for competition. The saddle type horse must always march bravely forward with self-confidence
and a bit of arrogance.
In all horses, I look at the eyes and the expression that they give to you. A horse in my experience tells you a lot by
the look in their eye. The eye is a big part of whether or not that horse has a pleasant or attractive head. This particular
statement might create questions because of performance being the upmost goal for the saddle type horse. But there
are many Thoroughbred bloodstock agents who use the head in evaluation of race horses. In my opinion, if the horse
has a head that is common, he will perform and act common.
The next important factor of the saddle type horse is balance. Does his hip, loin and back balance out with his head,
neck and shoulder? I feel that there are horses who get a lot of press because of a fancy neck and shoulder; who have
front end motion when they are young but when put to the test fail to perform with ease because the hind quarter was
overlooked. The hind leg must be evaluated and absolutely has to have the proper angulation. I describe this by simply
saying; “when the horse takes a step with a hind leg, the hocks need to point to the ground”. When the horse steps off,
you want to see the foot land up under the girth area and not be landing just under the stifle. That foot placement will
determine if the horse will go forward and elevate, or just pull themselves around by over use of the shoulder because
the hind end lacks impulsion. This is the kind of movement that will create sore backs and an uneven stride. The front
legs should be set well under the shoulder creating room for the elbows to move freely.
You never want a horse that is tied in at the elbow, because this is often a horse that will only trot with the lower
leg and move too quickly and can be known to interfere travel by hitting themselves with their feet at the knee or
cannon bone. Horses that are conformed this way often have large splints which can cause lameness. With both front
and hind limbs, I like to see a horse that has a shorter cannon bone than forearm or gaskin. The front legs should be
conformed correctly and not splay out or toe in. However, this would be a problem for me only if it is extreme and
would result in the horse moving too close. I am far more concerned over the hind leg and overall balance than I will
ever be over front limbs.
My final thoughts on the saddle type horse are that their movement should seem easy for them and they should be
flexible; fexible at all gaits in all parts of their body not just the front end. Fluid movement on a horse that looks like
his job is easy and enjoyable will always be a winner.
Martha Rattner
Highly acclaimed judge and horse trainer Martha Rattner
has been named 2 time USEF Equestrian of Honor and has
won Worlds Championships in the Hackney division as well as
winning over 75 National Champion titles in multiple disciplines
with the National Show Horse and Arabians breeds in Canada,
United States and Brazil. Martha has judged many highly
prestigious shows such as the Arabian and Half-Arabian United
States National Championships, Youth Nationals and Canadian
Nationals as well as the Australian National Championships in
Saddlebred and Arabian derivatives. She has also competed at
the FEI Endurance competition including the World Equestrian
Game Trials and North American Team Challenge and is a
selector for USEF in both the Team USA Endurance and North
American Young Riders Saddle Seat Team.
If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.
– allcupation.com
