The American Quarter Horse

It is thought, by some, that the foundationhorse, it is considered to not be a true Quarter
American Quarter Horse stock has at its rootsHorse.
Arabian, Turk, and Barb breeds. Others believeThe AQHA recognizes 13 colors as acceptable for
that the breed began with the acquisition ofthe breed. The most dominant color is sorrel,
Chickasaw horses which were likely of Spanishwhich is a reddish-brown. The other colors are
extraction. Their history seems to begin aroundbay, black, brown, buckskin, dun, gray, grullo,
1690, when horses exported from England werepalomino, red roan, and blue roan. What is called a
bred with native horses in America. The result ofgray is what most of us perceive as white. But,
this cross was a small, stocky horse which wasthere are no "white" Quarter Horses.
extremely fast in the quarter-mile sprint which theThere are two main body types which are
colonists loved to participate in during theiracceptable for registration as Quarter Horses. The
off-time. Even when pitted against"stock" type, which is shorter, more compact,
Thoroughbreds, this little horse came in first morestockier, and well-muscled, yet agile. The "running"
often than not. Thus, the horse became knowntype is lighter and is bred and trained for sprinting.
as the Quarter Horse.Because this breed is very versatile, bloodlines are
In the 1800s, when the pioneers began to movebuilt with specific tasks in mind when producing
west, they wanted a horse that could endure thethe offspring. For AQH's shown "at halter", the line
rigors and was always willing to work. Their horseis bred to have a heavier body appearance,
of choice was the Quarter Horse. They quicklybecause these horses are incredibly muscled. For
found that the breed was excellent to use whenhorses used as "reiners" and "cutters", the build is
working with cattle. Cattlemen soon preferred thisusually smaller and the horses possess cat-like,
animal because it seemed to know ahead of timequicker movement and powerful hindquarters.
what the cattle would do, and naturally moved toThose bred for Western pleasure riding have a
direct the herd where the cowboys wanted themlevel "topline" and smoother gaits. Those which will
to go. Even after the automobile was invented,be used for racing have longer legs and a leaner
Quarter Horses were still used almost exclusivelybody build and those bred as show hunters have
on many ranches.a similar build to the runners, but their bloodlines
In 1940, the American Quarter Horse Associationwill include traits which are suited to horses used
(AQHA) was formed. From that year until thefor hunting purposes. The whole Quarter Horse
present, Quarter Horse breeders have workedbreed possesses speed, stamina, power, and an
diligently to perfect the bloodlines. The Associationinherent willingness to please.
has set forth strict guidelines with regard toThis horse is usually 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64
registration of American Quarter Horses. AQHsinches, or 142.24 to 162.56 centimeters) at the
are allowed to have limited white markings onshoulder. The weight can vary drastically,
their faces, and below their knees. If there aredepending on the purpose for which the horse
white patches or spots anywhere else on thewas bred.