saddle horses

Saddle horses are horses bred, trained, or suited for riding with a saddle, as distinguished from draft horses used for pulling or pack horses used for carrying loads.

The term emphasizes the animal's role as a mount rather than a work animal.

She kept three saddle horses at the ranch for trail riding.

In some contexts, saddle horse refers specifically to certain breeds developed for comfortable riding gaits, such as the American Saddlebred.