
See also:
Quarter Horse Photos | Quarter Horses
for Sale
Description:
The American Quarter Horse was named for it ability to sprint 1/4 of
a mile faster than any other breed. Today The American Quarter Horse
is one of the most popular breeds in the USA. The Quarter Horse is exceptionally
versatile and athletic. They are often called 'stocky' because of their
well-muscled body type. They are typically level headed, sensible and
willing to please their rider. The quarter horse is well known for having
cow sense (the natural instinct to work cattle) and popular in events
History : The
American Quarter horse was the first registered breed that was developed
in the USA. The American Quarter horse is the result of the breeding
of horses brought to new world. It originated from Arab, Turk and Barb
breeds. Selected stallions and mares were crossed with horses brought
to Colonial America from England and Ireland in the early 1600s. The
resulting horse was a strong, stout, heavily-muscled mount. This horse
was ideal for short distance racing and is now famous for running 1/4
of a mile faster than any other breed. in the 1800's the quarter horse
began working on cattle ranches. Its instinctive cow sense, strong sturdy
body, and good disposition made it ideal for such work. In 1940, The
American Quarter horse was recognized as a breed and the American Quarter
Horse Association (AQHA) was developed.
Colors: The American quarter horse comes in just about
every color. Base colors (black, bay, chestnut, brown) are common, as
are cream dilutes (palomino, buckskin, cremello, perlino). Duns, grays,
roans, and rarely, champagnes are also seen. There has even been one
Silver-dilute AQHA horse. Pinto genes do exist in the breed, but pintos
that have a certain amount of white (the AQHA's "white line rule")
are not allowed into the registry. Sabino, splash, and frame overo exist
in the breed. Tobiano does not.
Height: The American Quarter horse generally stand
14.3 - to 16hh but height varies
from horse to horse and some may be taller or shorter. The original
Quarter Horse stood about 14.2, and were rarely over 15 hands high.
Modern Quarter Horses often have Thoroughbred blood which has increased
the horse's height and endurance.
Uses: Although traditionally a Western horse, the Quarter
Horse is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of events. The
AQHA is still used for racing, and is the most popular racehorse next
to the thoroughbred. Because they are bred for speed, many quarter horses
are used in events such as rodeo, Barrel Racing, Roping, and Cutting.
Quarter Horses are also shown in various English and Western events,
from western and english pleasure, to halter, reining, and show jumping.