The Quarter Horse of America is often described as the nation’s true wonder horse. Horses from many cultures have gone into the making of this breed, which dates from the foundation years of the USA. The American Quarter Horse Association is recognised as the largest breed registry in the world. Equestrians who buy a Quarter Horse are joining millions of others who are enthusiasts of the breed, many of whom would never have another kind of horse. What makes the Quarter Horse so special is that its history and ancestry are interwoven with that of the USA, and breeders and owners are helping to preserve this unique heritage whenever they sell a Quarter Horse. Smart, fast and comfortable to ride, the Quarter Horse is an outstanding workmate and a firm family favourite across the globe.
Quarter Horses are some of the most versatile equines on the planet. Centuries of development have resulted in conformation that is close to the ideal for riding, as anyone deciding to buy a Quarter Horse for the first time will discover. Compact, well-proportioned Quarter Horses have sloping shoulders that give them a long stride. The withers are well-defined but not too high, and the muscular hindquarters can power the horses forward in an instant. The broad, deep chests allow for the robust heart and lungs that make Quarter Horses such outstanding athletes. Knowledgeable equestrians intending to sell a Quarter Horse will also refer to the breed’s intelligence, beauty, and ability to spin and turn on a dime. They are said to have an inborn skill when it comes to working with cattle. Quarter Horses are usually between 14 hands (56 inches/142 cm) and 16 hands (64 inches/163 cm) high, but some can reach 17 hands high (68 inches, 173 cm). The coat can be any solid colour, with sorrel (a rich chestnut colour) predominating. Buckskin (dun) with a black mane and tail is also very popular. Though white markings are acceptable, pinto and Appaloosa colouring is not accepted in the Quarter Horse Registry.
Origin and history of breeding Quarter Horses
Quarter Horses originated on the east coast of America, particularly in Virginia and the Carolinas. European arrivals quickly began to establish horse racing either on short tracks hacked out of dense vegetation or along town streets as settlements began to expand. Matches were often between two horses, a tradition which was already well-established in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. Here, racers were known as “running horses”. However, although British natives undoubtedly contributed, so too did the fast, agile horses of the native Chickasaw people, who had obtained their animals from Spanish settlers. The stallion “Old Snipe”, believed to be a Barb, made a major contribution in early days. The development of the Quarter Horse reflects the history of the USA since diverse horses were brought together to create something new and special. Soon the best horses were proving themselves unbeatable sprinters over one-quarter of a mile, and so were first given the name “short-racing” or “short-horses” and later called Quarter Horses.
Quarter Horses in equestrianism
Over time, the new American breed developed into distinct subtypes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the racing Quarter Horses were “upgraded” by being crossed with the newly-created Thoroughbred, with an imported stallion called Janus arriving in 1752. The “short-horse” type of Quarter Horse adapted to become the new hero of the west, a great all-round ride and drive horse that excelled at cutting cattle too, as they still do today.
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