| The American Quarter Horse is the first | | | | events, such as barrel racing and calf |
| breed of horse native to the United | | | | roping to English disciplines such as |
| States. The breed evolved when the | | | | dressage and show jumping. The make a |
| bloodlines of horses brought to the New | | | | nice little children's hunter as well, |
| World were mixed. Foundation American | | | | with the ability to jump a wide range of |
| Quarter Horse stock originated from | | | | heights. They are one of the most |
| Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Selected | | | | versatile breeds in the world. |
| Stallions and Mares were crossed with | | | | Many pleasure riders still look to the |
| horses brought to Colonial America from | | | | American Quarter horse for recreational |
| England and Ireland in the 1600's. This | | | | riding, as they make a nice pleasure |
| combination resulted in a compact, | | | | horse as well. |
| heavily muscled horse that evolved to | | | | Breeders, since the creation of the |
| fill the colonists passion for short | | | | breed over fifty years ago, have |
| distance racing. | | | | diligently been trying to perfect the |
| The amazing power behind a quarter horse | | | | bloodlines to produce a high quality |
| enabled this great animal to run short | | | | versatile animal.. Strict guidelines |
| distances over a straightaway faster | | | | have been set by the American Quarter |
| than any other horse with the fastest | | | | Horse Association regarding registration |
| being named Celebrated American Running | | | | of the American Quarter Horses. Some of |
| Horse. The names for this breed has | | | | these guidelines include: |
| changed many times over the years until | | | | 1. Limited white markings on the face |
| 1940 when a registry was formed to | | | | and below the knee |
| preserve the breed which officially | | | | 2. Only thirteen accepted colors |
| became the American Quarter Horse | | | | recognized by the AQHA. These are sorrel |
| Association. | | | | (reddish brown), bay, black, brown, |
| In the year 1674 in Enrico County, | | | | buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, |
| Virginia the first American Quarter | | | | grullo, palomino, red roan and blue |
| Horse Race was held. They were | | | | roan. The official gray color is what |
| one-on-one match races down village | | | | most people call white, but there are no |
| streets, county lanes and level | | | | "white" American Quarter Horses. |
| pastures. Many disagreements and fights | | | | 3. A quarter horse foal must be the |
| were generated from heavy betting of | | | | product of a numbered American Quarter |
| large purse races by 1690. | | | | Horse dam and a numbered American |
| The American Quarter Horse, due to their | | | | Quarter Horse sire. There is an appendiz |
| calm disposition and quick response | | | | registry for foals with one numbered |
| time, the horse became known for its | | | | American Quarter Horse parent and one |
| "cow sense", being able to outmaneuver | | | | Throughbred parent registered with The |
| cattle. During the 1800's as many | | | | Jockey Club. |
| pioneer folk moved westward, so did the | | | | Some other notable characteristics of |
| American Quarter Horse. An abundant | | | | the American Quarter Horse is their |
| amount of cattle ranches stretched | | | | speed, versatility, gentle nature, heavy |
| across the plains. Making this breed | | | | muscling and keen cow sense. |
| well suited for the cattle ranchers. | | | | If you own an American Quarter Horse, no |
| In today's world, the American Quarter | | | | matter what discipline you choose to |
| Horse still remains a great sprinter | | | | ride, your horse will excel. This breed |
| known for their heavy muscling, but they | | | | is one of the most enjoyable horse |
| have exceeded way past the cattle horse. | | | | breeds around today and one of the most |
| These amazing horses compete in almost | | | | popular. |
| every discipline available, from rodeo | | | | |