ASB_Breed

The ASB, originally called the KY Saddler, evolved in the southern states of America in the 19th century. It was a practical horse, as well as one of great elegance. It could perform a variety of farm tasks; it could carry a man in great comfort over rough terrain throughout a long, working day; and it could also serve as a smart carriage horse.
The ASB developed from the Canadian Pacer and the Narragansett Pacer (the work horse of plantation owners of RI), two naturally gaited breeds. Morgan and TB blood was also introduced to produce a distinctive, impressive horse.
The modern ASB, either 3 or 5-gaited, is generally regarded as a brilliant, if artifical, show horse, rather like the English Hackney. It is still shown in harness and, with its hooves trimmed normally, is used as a pleasure and trail-riding hrose. It can also work cattle, jump and compete in dressage tests. Despite its versatility, however, the ASBA still describes it as "America's most misunderstood breed" because of the artificial way in which it is produced and its show ring image of a cropped, high-set tail, over-long hooves and the use of somewhat dubious training aids.
The head is full of quality - the eyes set well apart, the ears small and alert, the muzzle well shaped and the nostrils wide and open. The neck is long and arched with no fleshiness in the jowl. It is set in the prominent withers, which give a high head carriage, one of the breed's signature features. The withers are clean, sharp and much higher than those of the pure harness horse. The ASB has a particularly good, sloped shoulder. The scapula blades at the withers are placed fairly close together to give a wonderfully free action. The back is notably short and strong. The quarters are well muscled to the hocks, giving the necessary brilliance of action. The croup should be level and the tail set high. 3-gaited horses are shown with the mane roached and the tail trimmed. The supreme, 5-gaited ASB is shown with full mane and tail. It is customary for the tail to be set high by nicking. The strength of limb, without a heavy appearance, is a feature of the breed. The trunk is reminiscent of the English Hackney but conforms more to the riding requirement. The ribs are particularly well sprung and the outline, even when stood out in the show fashion is elegant. To enhance the action, the hooves are grown unnaturally long and shod with heavy shoes. The pasterns are long and sloping to provide a comfortable, springy ride, which is exceptionally smooth. The height is between 15-16hh, although sometimes it is a little more.
The ASB gained fame as a breed during the Civil War, 1861-1865. ASBs served as the mounts of many famous gens; Lee on Traveller, Grant on Cincinnati, Sherman rode Lexington, and Stonewall Jackson's mount was Little Sorrell. The 3 aforementioned horses were American type with close TB crosses, and the latter was of pacing stock.
The Confederate commands of Gens John Hunt Morgan and Nathan Bedford Forrest were mounted almost exclusively on ASBs, and these horses performed legendary feats of endurance during the war.
Because most Confederate horses were privately owned, Gen Grant's order at Lee's surrender which allowed the men to keep their horses perhaps saved the breed.
After the war, the St. Louis Fair was revived. All breeds had their day in competition at St.Louis, but in the 1870's the Denmarks became dominant. Because of the increased popularity and commercial value of the ASB, enlightened breeders began to call for the formation of a breed association and registry in the 1880's. Charles F. Mills of Springfield, Ill, began compiling pedigrees and formulating rules for a registry. The Farmers Home journal, a newspaper published in Louisville, KY, called for a meeting April. 7, 1891 to organize the association, and the registry was established that day... the 1st horse breed association in the U.S.
Despite the fact that during this period of time the ASB was still very much a using animal, the rivalry between breeders at horse shows and especially state pride between KY and MO, was intense. Gifted horsemen began making a living at training show horses.
A coal black stallion, who was to make a great contribution in giving even greater status to shows and the breed, burst onto the show scene at St. Louis in 1893. Rex McDonald was beaten on but three occasions, was idolized by the public, and visited by Presidents of the U.S.

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