Ask Monty: Can a trotter become a saddle horse?

November 18, 2020 – Ask Monty Newsletter

Question: Can a trotter become a saddle horse?

Hello, my name is Federica and I am contacting you from Italy, Milan. Since I was 6 I have been riding a horse, purely English riding, flat work and show jumping but only for pleasure. Now at the age of 35, together with my husband, I am about to revive the dream of having my own horse. This is the point: I fell in love on sight and I must say reciprocated in trust by a beautiful 4-year-old Italian trotter (son of Timoko). The horse ran very little and was deemed unsuitable for sulky racing as it breaks at a trot and gallops. The crux of the matter is: in your opinion, using your principles and getting help from those who know trotting horses, is it possible to put on the saddle and use it as a horse for flat work and for walks? Thank you.

Monty’s Answer:

Thank you for your question which is a unique one. I have for my entire life insisted that we harbor the opinion that a horse is a horse. It is my opinion that all breeds (size appropriate) are perfectly suited to accept the saddle and rider, and one should not hesitate to use my principles to successfully allow this to happen.

Sincerely,