The Quarter Horse is a US breed that is outstanding at short sprints. As a matter of fact, the name comes from this breed's completely unequalled talent for leaving other breeds behind in quarter mile (or shorter) sprints. This breed is simply the most popular in the States, and has a present population strength of 3.2 million.
American Quarter Horse History
In the eighteenth century, colonists on America's eastern seaboard started crossing Thoroughbreds from Britain with varied native breeds like the Chickasaw (a Native American horse breed that was a mixture of Arabian, Iberian and Dart stocks the Conquistadors brought to America). The result was a smallish pony with superior nimbleness and speed, with great intelligence and working ethic.
Colony settlers used these horses in races as a form of entertainment. The races were often held on the main streets of towns since these were the only flat and straight stretches of terrain around. Usually, the length of these roads did not exceed 1/4 of a mile, and so the emphasis was on breeding horses that would be extremely fast over short sprint distances. Shortly, these horses become so skilful at short sprints they were called 'Celebrated Quarter Mile Race Horses'.
These western settlers cross bred their horses further with Spanish mares, reputed for hardiness, toughness and tremendous endurance. These Spanish horses were unequalled cow horses. The crosses resulted in compact but well muscled horses.
The quarter horse quickly gained popularity. It was preferred as a riding pony because of its kindness. It was also used as a farm animal due to its great strength. This breed exhibited a type of natural talent for cattle work. The quarter horse moved more and more west with the human waves of westward headed migrants in the nineteenth century. It was the first choice horse for the early cowboys, who found its speed and agility excellent for cattle roundups, and used it for all of their daily chores. As ranches became critical fixtures in the west, the quarter horse became pretty much a permanent part of the landscape.
Since the North American quarter horse was also run in sprints, people experimented by adding more Thoroughbred blood, as well as bits of Morgans, Arabians and even standard bloodlines.
Today, the quarter horse's largest claim to celebrity is in its roles as reining and cutting horse, race horse, show pony, ranch pony, rodeo competitor and all-purpose family ride. This breed totally reigns over rodeo events like team roping, calf roping and barrel racing. While a lot of breeds are represented in events like reining and cutting, the quarter horse tends to control here also. This breed is fantastic at not just ranch work and western riding, it also is great at dressage and jumpers. The quarter pony is also popular with recreational trail riders and with the mounted police. An exceedingly balanced temperament makes this bred superb for green riders.
Today's quarter horse is distinguished by a small and refined head. The profile is straight, and the body is strong and terribly muscled, with wide chest and rounded, powerful hindquarters. These horses normally measure between 14 and 16 hands in height.
Quarter horses come in 2 varieties: stock and hunter (racing). The stock version is really agile, whether or not it is squat. It is compact and very muscled. The hunter or racing quarter horse is taller and with sleeker muscles than the other variety. It has a closer resemblance to the Thoroughbred.
Colours include black, bay, brown, palomino, chestnut, grey and buckskin.
American Quarter Horse History
In the eighteenth century, colonists on America's eastern seaboard started crossing Thoroughbreds from Britain with varied native breeds like the Chickasaw (a Native American horse breed that was a mixture of Arabian, Iberian and Dart stocks the Conquistadors brought to America). The result was a smallish pony with superior nimbleness and speed, with great intelligence and working ethic.
Colony settlers used these horses in races as a form of entertainment. The races were often held on the main streets of towns since these were the only flat and straight stretches of terrain around. Usually, the length of these roads did not exceed 1/4 of a mile, and so the emphasis was on breeding horses that would be extremely fast over short sprint distances. Shortly, these horses become so skilful at short sprints they were called 'Celebrated Quarter Mile Race Horses'.
These western settlers cross bred their horses further with Spanish mares, reputed for hardiness, toughness and tremendous endurance. These Spanish horses were unequalled cow horses. The crosses resulted in compact but well muscled horses.
The quarter horse quickly gained popularity. It was preferred as a riding pony because of its kindness. It was also used as a farm animal due to its great strength. This breed exhibited a type of natural talent for cattle work. The quarter horse moved more and more west with the human waves of westward headed migrants in the nineteenth century. It was the first choice horse for the early cowboys, who found its speed and agility excellent for cattle roundups, and used it for all of their daily chores. As ranches became critical fixtures in the west, the quarter horse became pretty much a permanent part of the landscape.
Since the North American quarter horse was also run in sprints, people experimented by adding more Thoroughbred blood, as well as bits of Morgans, Arabians and even standard bloodlines.
Today, the quarter horse's largest claim to celebrity is in its roles as reining and cutting horse, race horse, show pony, ranch pony, rodeo competitor and all-purpose family ride. This breed totally reigns over rodeo events like team roping, calf roping and barrel racing. While a lot of breeds are represented in events like reining and cutting, the quarter horse tends to control here also. This breed is fantastic at not just ranch work and western riding, it also is great at dressage and jumpers. The quarter pony is also popular with recreational trail riders and with the mounted police. An exceedingly balanced temperament makes this bred superb for green riders.
Today's quarter horse is distinguished by a small and refined head. The profile is straight, and the body is strong and terribly muscled, with wide chest and rounded, powerful hindquarters. These horses normally measure between 14 and 16 hands in height.
Quarter horses come in 2 varieties: stock and hunter (racing). The stock version is really agile, whether or not it is squat. It is compact and very muscled. The hunter or racing quarter horse is taller and with sleeker muscles than the other variety. It has a closer resemblance to the Thoroughbred.
Colours include black, bay, brown, palomino, chestnut, grey and buckskin.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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