Body Type: These hardy horses are medium boned. Their heads are finely chisled, with a wide forehead and a flat profile. Their legs are sturdy without being coarse, and their shoulders and haunches are heavy and muscular.
Size: Quarter Horses range in size from about 14.3 HH to 15.3 HH. The introduction of Thoroughbred bloodlines has contributed to an increase in height and “Appendix” Quarter Horses 16 HH and more are not unusual.
Uses: The sure footed Quarter Horse gets its name from the quarter mile races that were held by settlers. Quarter Horses are known for their ‘cow sense’. Once widely used as working cow horses they now excel at rodeo events. Their powerful haunches help with quick departs to gather a stray from a herd or propel them around the barrels in a barrel race. Quarter Horse racing remains an exhilarating sport with tracks across North America. They are equally at home under saddle or in harness.
Color and Markings: Quarter Horses come in a variety of solid colors, roans, palominos, greys, grullos, buckskins and duns. Markings like stockings, stars, strips and blazes are common.
History and Origins: Quarter Horses are a mixture of Arabian, Spanish, and English bred horses. There are eleven foundation Quarter Horse bloodlines. These eleven families are the ancestors of all Quarter Horses around the world. Although the breed or type has been in existence since the 1600s the American Quarter Horse Registry began in 1940. The introduction of Thoroughbred bloodlines has created two distinct types of Quarter Horses. “Appendix Quarter Horses” tend to be leaner and leggier.
Unique Characteristics: Quarter Horses are quick over short distances, sure footed and agile. They make comfortable mounts for trail riding and are dependable for all day farm work. The compact muscular silhouette of the foundation type Quarter Horse is unmistakable. With its calm, gentle and steady demeanor they are the ideal family horse or horse for the beginner rider. They tend to be ‘easy keepers’ living well off of good pasture or hay.
Champions and Celebrities:
- Wimpy was the first stallion listed in the AQHA registry.
- Racing Quarter Horse Easy Jet proved indefatigable as a two year old winning 22 out of 26 starts. Even after having raced extensively, he remained strong and sound.
- Impressive is infamous for passing on a condition known as Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. HYPP causes occasional seizure like symptoms. All foals known to be a descendent of a horse that carries HYPP must be tested.
