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