| American Quarter Horse |
| The |
| History: Developed for the colonists short distance races down city streets. Commonly a distance of a quarter of a mile. For that distance, there is one horse who shines and reigns above the rest, the fastest horse in the world for that stretch, a horse rightly called the Quarter Horse. At first there were differant variations in names for these stout, speedy horses. The fastest were called "Celebrated American Quarter Running Horses." In 1940, the name was settled, the American Quarter Horse Association was founded. Not only were these horses found to be good in sprint races, but they also found they had an undeniable and amazing natural cow-sense. So the Quarter Horse found itself headed west with the expansion. Today the Quarter Horse still runs those quarter-mile races, but on racetracks, and he still accompanies cowmen on long cattle drives, but he has also reached out much farther. He has become a partner in the show ring, a team mate in competitions, and a faithful friend to his owners. Quarter Horses Today: Despite the change of times, and the growing popularity of Thouroghbred racing in the U.S., this breed is still found working cattle in the show pen and on the range, and running races in cloverleaf patterns as well as straight-aways down tracks. Not only has he prospered in what he was bred to do, but also has shown great versatality. Yeah, he's still shown in western tack, doing effortless sliding stops in reining, and jogging around western pleasure judges, but now we see them in other events as well. Many show in hunter classes, some have become dressage masters, others bravely charge around cross-country courses, and some just take to the good life of good feed, steady conditioning, and relaxing and extensive grooming sessions, to go and compete in what some may call an equine "beauty pagent", when in reality, they are competing against and for perfection. But Quarter Horses are not all about careers in shows and competitions, many are content to stay at home with their loving owners and just be as much of a horse as possible, and explore endless trails with their friends. The Quarter Horse has come to be among one of the most popular breeds of horse in the world, and stands among the Arabian. The Quarter Horse is America's pride.. Quarter Horse Characteristics: Acceptable Colors= bay, bay roan, blue roan, red roan, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, and sorrel- Markings allowed are little more than a bald face and stockings that do not reach above the knees or hocks. Physical Attributes= well set, small, and expressive eyes, medium ears, large jaw, slightly "tapered" nose, large nostrils, shallow mouth, medium length of neck, well muscled yet trim, large rounded shoulder, well defimed withers, strong muscular forearm, short strong cannons, small, semi-hard hooves, have a deep girth, round, long barrel, large, heavily muscled, and wide hind quarters, well set hind legs with strength and good hocks, little hock angulation Tail and Mane Styles= Reiners and cutters are left with long natural manes and tails, other western performance horses show in a pulled and banded mane, with a natural tail, as do halter horses. English style is mainly pulled and braided mane, and tail styles vary with what events they are entered in to, and if they show in open or breed shows. Quarter Horse Models: There have many attempts to capture Quarter Horse perfection in sculpture, from Breyer's early stock horse stallion and Lady Phase molds, to Carol Williams new mare, Matriarch. Some notable models are Peter Stones ISH, and weanling, many of Carol Williams sculptures, and Breyer's Zippo Pine Bar mold, a big step up from old Lady Phase. |
| Links and Resources: American Quarter Horse Association Quarter Horses Online American Quarter Horse Association of the United Kingdom Models: Some Good/Bad Customs Here Rio Rondo |
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