| Whenever the term "Western horse" is used, most | | | | of working on little food and foraging for himself. Also, |
| people picture a rough-and-tumble rodeo - an event full | | | | he has a perfect canter. |
| of color but so full of danger, too, that no youngster | | | | However good Morgans and Arabians may be, an |
| would be permitted to enter the regular events. What | | | | important western breed we haven't yet talked about |
| few people realize is that many small, country horse | | | | is the quarter horse. Every Westerner will boast of the |
| shows have classes open to Western horses. The | | | | qualities of this breed, but the fact is that the quarter |
| wide range of these local shows gives them their | | | | horse had his beginnings in the East - in Virginia. |
| importance to the show world, and if you own a | | | | In the late 1600's, Virginia gentlemen enjoyed racing |
| Western horse, you should pay attention so you'll | | | | their stock but there were no big race tracks available. |
| know about the shows in time to enter your horse. | | | | They would use stretches of road near the towns - |
| In case you strongly prefer western riding, you don't | | | | the road lap usually being about a quarter of a mile |
| have to worry about being left out of the fun - or | | | | long. The distance became standardized and men |
| change your style simply because you thought all | | | | began to breed horses especially for these |
| horse shows were exclusively for English riders. "Well," | | | | quarter-mile races. Usually the breeder combined |
| you may be thinking, "all I have to do, then, is to pick out | | | | imported English horses either with the speedy little |
| the kind of horse I want and then use a western | | | | runners developed by the Chickasaw Indians or with a |
| saddle and bridle on him. That's just fine." | | | | Rhode Island variety which had come down from New |
| But it isn't quite as simple as that! You wouldn't advise | | | | England and competed successfully against earlier |
| a person about to go on a hunt to use an American | | | | Virginia horses. |
| saddle horse on the chase. You'd suggest he use a | | | | Then a horse named Janus, an English racer with |
| thoroughbred - or a horse with thoroughbred | | | | thoroughbred bloodlines, was imported and began to |
| characteristics. The same standards of suitability hold | | | | transmit his characteristics to all his offspring. In time, |
| true if you're picking out a Western horse for yourself. | | | | the entire breed was influenced by the speed and |
| Suppose that, during your excursions to find a horse, a | | | | power he passed on to his foals, and, as sprinters, |
| big, long-limbed thoroughbred strikes you as a | | | | Quarter horses became unbeatable. Then, when |
| handsome animal - one you'd like to own. After all, you | | | | racetracks were built, the Easterners gave up the |
| reason, he has speed, courage, stamina - just right for | | | | quarter Horse in favor of thoroughbred racing on |
| a Western horse. | | | | longer tracks. But ranchers and cowboys soon |
| Strictly in terms of breeds, the Morgan and the Arabian | | | | discovered that the compactness of the quarter horse |
| offer good Western horse prospects. | | | | enabled him to turn quickly and stop short. In fact, |
| Both are small horses and have plenty of strength and | | | | many people who want a Western horse get a |
| endurance. The Morgan is compact and therefore | | | | quarter horse. Western horses come in all shapes and |
| good at making fast turns, stops and starts. The | | | | sizes, you just need to find the one that's right for you. |
| Arabian is traditionally a desert horse and so is capable | | | | |