| Quarter Horse seems like a strange name for an | | | | used for dressage and for jumping competitions. |
| animal, but only until you understand that Quarter | | | | As with anything else in life, not all Quarter Horses are |
| horses are able to run a quarter mile faster than any | | | | created equal. Most grow to between 14 and 16 hands |
| other horse can run the same distance (in some | | | | high with some growing to 17 hands. Stock Quarter |
| situations, a Quarter Horse has been recorded at over | | | | Horses are agile and muscled, however they appear |
| 50 miles per hour while running at full speed), then its | | | | to be compact and a bit stocky. Halter Quarter |
| given name makes good sense. In part, that is a | | | | Horses, on the other hand tend to be taller and have |
| testament to the horse's athletic ability, along with its | | | | similar smooth muscling to the Thoroughbred. |
| strong, well-muscled hind legs. | | | | Regardless of whether or not the horses are of the |
| Combine versatility and an even temper with those | | | | stock or halter variety, you're likely to discover that |
| characteristics (athleticism and muscle structure) and | | | | Quarter Horses are available in a wide variety of |
| you can see why Quarter Horses are some of the | | | | colors. Most commonly, you'll find them listed as sorrel - |
| most popular choices among those who are buying | | | | a brownish-red, chestnut brown shade. That, however, |
| from a list of horses for sale. Not only is the American | | | | doesn't mean that you won't find Quarter Horses listed |
| Quarter Horse common with a lot of general buyers, | | | | that are described as black, bay, gray, dun, palomino, |
| but the breed is popular overall; the majority of horses | | | | red roan or a number of other shades. All of these |
| registered worldwide are registered with the American | | | | colors - along with spotted or pinto colors - are found |
| Quarter Horse Association. | | | | to be acceptable when it comes time to register a |
| Of the registered Quarter Horses, many run races | | | | horse with the American Quarter Horse Association, |
| thanks to their speed. Many others are participants in | | | | provided the horse's parents were registered as well. |
| horse shows. Others work on ranches around the | | | | If you are looking for a family horse, lineage and |
| world. Still others - thanks to the Quarter Horse's | | | | registration with the American Quarter Horse |
| compact body - are used in working with cows, calf | | | | Association may not be among your top priorities |
| roping, barrel racing, reining, cutting as well as other | | | | when you're looking through listings of horses for sale. |
| riding events. But don't think of the Quarter Horse as | | | | Instead, you may be focused on a child's request for |
| merely a workhorse: the Quarter Horse is equally at | | | | "a brown one," or on finding a Quarter Horse that is |
| home in other equestrian events. | | | | closer to 14 hands rather than 16 or 17, which will make |
| Sport and speed both create environments in which | | | | it easier for even the youngest members of your |
| the American Quarter Horse feels at home. With | | | | family to ride. |
| Thoroughbred, Arabian and Morgan bloodlines all | | | | On the other hand, if you are looking for an American |
| contributing to the genetic pool of the American | | | | Quarter Horse because you are looking for the right |
| Quarter Horse, it's not difficult to see why the Quarter | | | | animal to help you around the ranch, when it comes to |
| Horse excels in most situations. | | | | reigning in cattle, you may actually want to know |
| Because of this, the American Quarter Horse is often | | | | whether or not the Quarter Horse is from a working |
| seen in show environments, in racing events, in rodeos | | | | line. |
| as well as on the ranch, and even in stables that are | | | | In other words, when you're making an effort to |
| home to horses that are owned by individuals and | | | | research Quarter Horses for any purpose, focus on |
| families, who just want a horse that they can take out | | | | your needs first and foremost. You will be more likely |
| for enjoyable rides on trails. It's important to note, | | | | to find a Quarter Horse that will meet your |
| however that just because Quarter Horses are used | | | | expectations if you know what your expectations |
| for ranch working purposes as well as for trail riding | | | | really are. This way you are sure to find exactly the |
| doesn't mean that they don't serve other purposes as | | | | Quarter Horse you need and want. |
| well; for example, many quarter horses have been | | | | |