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American saddle horse

American saddle horse

7.3
A type of horse from Kentucky known for a high-stepping walk used for shows and pleasure riding
  • noun
  • /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈsædəl hɔrs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : caballo de silla americano
  • The American saddle horse is prized for its elegant, high-stepping movements in the show ring.

Examples

  • Several breeders in Kentucky specialize in raising American saddle horses for competitions.

  • He rode his American saddle horse proudly during the parade, drawing attention for its smooth gait.

  • The American saddle horse is known for its elegant gait.

  • Many American saddle horses compete in shows every year.

  • He rode his American saddle horse proudly during the parade, drawing attention for its smooth gait.

  • The American saddle horse is prized for its elegant, high-stepping movements in the show ring.

  • Several breeders in Kentucky specialize in raising American saddle horses for competitions.

Synonyms

saddle horse
vsAmerican saddle horse
1 4.2

A horse kept for riding rather than for work

is a distinct breed from Kentucky known for a high-stepping gait and show use
riding horse
vsAmerican saddle horse
1 2.3

A horse people keep mainly for others to ride in lessons or shows

is a specific breed from Kentucky known for high-stepping gait and pleasure showing

Surface Forms

Morphology

American + saddle + horse

The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'American' (origin), 'saddle' (type/use) and 'horse' (animal), so its meaning — a kind of horse from the United States used for riding/show — is directly derivable from the parts. This modifier+noun compounding is a common and cross-linguistically transparent pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily understand it.

Etymology

American saddle horse comes from American riders who bred a horse to be smooth and comfortable to sit under a saddle, so it would move with a high, showy step. That's why today the name means a breed known for its beautiful, high-stepping movement used for 'riding' and in 'shows'.