Saddle Homer
The saddle homer is a homer-type pigeon named for its saddle marking, where contrasting color is arranged over the back and wing area while other parts of the bird may remain lighter. It comes from the intersection of practical homer ancestry and fancy color selection. The name does not imply that every saddle homer is used for long-distance racing; many are kept as exhibition or ornamental pigeons whose homer outline is paired with a clear, repeatable pattern.
Management should preserve both vigor and marking quality. Birds need the strong body, clean eyes, and reliable breeding expected of homer-derived pigeons, while pairings also have to account for pattern, ground color, and feather condition. If a line is flown, it should be trained with the same caution used for other homing pigeons. If it is shown, buyers should examine the saddle edge, symmetry, and whether the bird still has the compact, athletic feel of a homer.
Colors: Almond, Ash Red, Bar, Barless, Black, Blue, Brown, Checker, Dilute, Dun, Grizzle, Indigo, Mottle, Opal, Pied, Recessive Red, Red, Silver, Splash, Spread, White, Yellow