Read About Quarter Horses

Quarter horses are the traditional utilitarian horses. Here's everything you need to know about this horse breed.

Quarter horses - Horse Breed Facts

1. Breed Group:

   Utility horse

2. Height & Weight:

   They are 15-16 hands high with some exceptions some may be as tall as 17 hands high. They weigh well over 1000 pounds.

3. Coat:

   The texture of their coats depends upon their grooming. Naturally, their coat is mildly glossy and taut over their muscles, which allows their veins to be seen.

4. Head & Neck:

   Their heads are comparatively smaller to other breeds. They have a prominent muzzle. Necks are well developed and muscular.

5. Body:

   There are two main body types: the stock type and the running type. They are well muscled and compact.

6. Conformation:

   Like all horses they have 210 bones. Their strength is derived from the correct placement of their torso and limbs.

7. Colors:

   The most common color is sorrel, followed by brown, chestnut, gray, dun, red dun, buckskin, black, bay, grullo, red roan, blue roan and palamino.

8. Gait:

   Very strong and enduring. This breed is very fast and can cover a distance of quarter a mile.

9. Popularity:

   They are very popular animals all over the world.

10. Registries:

    All quarter horses need to be registered with the American Quarter Horse Association.

Quarter horses - Horse Breed Origins

1. Country of Origin:

   America

2. Lineage/ Bloodline:

   They were bred by crossing English mares with Arab, Turk and Barb breeds.

3. Historical Information:

   The breed was produced in the colonial era. Its name is derived from its high speed in quarter mile races.

Quarter horses - Horse Breed Defining Characteristics

1. Training Ease:

   They are quite easy to train. Due to their versatility, they can be trained to do a variety of jobs.

2. Temperament:

   The quarter horse is very versatile. It is obedient and hardworking. The horse is also known for its loyalty to masters.

3. Child Friendly:

   Being of a calm disposition, the quarter horse can be a wonderful play companion for children. It very willingly offers joyrides.

4. Behavior:

   These horses remain steadfast to their masters and may return even if abandoned. They are also protective of their masters.

5. Riding Ease:

   Quarter horses are among the best steeds in the world. They provide swift comfortable rides to even an inexperienced rider.

6. Uses:

   They are preferred horses for ranch and cattle work. They have also been trained to international levels of dressage and are generally very good jumpers.

Quarter horses - Horse Breed Concerns

1. Health Issues:

   Undernourished horses may suffer from muscle weakness and diseases like tetanus and influenza.

2. Feeding:

   Being very energetic horses, they require a full horse diet of grasses, legumes, hay and shrub plants.

3. Outfitting:

   They are fully outfitted in a saddle, bridle and tack. Horseshoes are also fitted onto them.

Quarter horses - How to Choose a Horse Breed

1. What to Look for:

   Look for a horse with an intact dentition. That is the indicator of its age and general body physique.

2. What you will Need:

   At least a 6 by 8 square foot of stable place and an open field for exercising.