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