Breed: Quarter Horse
Temperament: Willing, versatile
Maintenance: Medium
Lifespan: Up to 30 years
Cost: $2000 – $20,000
Recommended for: Beginners to experts
History
The American Quarter Horse is reputed to be the oldest all-American breed. The origins of this breed started as early as the 1600s, soon after settlement of the Americas by the British. In order to produce a horse suitable for both work and sport, thoroughbreds and other English types of horses which descended from English, Arabian and Spanish breeds were crossed to American horses of Spanish origin already in America. These latter horses were brought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors. A horse of this time needed to be suitable for many different skills such as farm work, stock work, general transport and sport.
During this era, horse racing over short distances grew in popularity amongst the early colonists. The desire to increase the speed of these horses resulted in the importation of some early British Thoroughbreds. Races of short distances, usually an approximate quarter mile, grew more and more popular, hence the name now given to this type of horse. Unlike today’s large racing carnivals, these early races consisted of hastily arranged contests over rough paddocks, usually between two horses with private wagers between settlers.
Although there was no strict policy on breeding, the common characteristics desired by the early settlers of speed, agility, compact shape and intelligence, ensured that these early types were to become the foundation of the modern Quarter Horse.
The development of the cow horse in the middle and late 1800s saw a more deliberate approach to the breeding and refinement of the Quarter Horse type. These horses proved invaluable to the stockmen and cowboys of the time. Alert, tractable, compact and strong, this type of horse also had an instilled ‘cow-sense’, an ability to work amongst cattle and ‘read’ their movements with little intervention by the rider. In working with cattle, this type of horse required each of the skills that are now categorised into five distinct groups.
Despite its popularity and large numbers in the US, until the Stud book was established in the 1940s the Quarter Horse could only be regarded as a type of horse rather than a breed. Since the commencement of the Stud book however, over 2.5 million entries appear in the American Quarter Horse Association’s register.
Australia currently has the second largest population of Quarter Horses world wide.
Uses
Recent years have seen the breeding and development of the Quarter Horse directed into five specific groups, with little breeding occurring across these groups.
1. Pleasure Horse: suited to general pleasure riding. A general utility horse with a calm temperament and smooth gait.
2. Reining: focuses on the horse’s ability to respond very quickly to the rider. Reining competitions involve speed and willingness to respond to rein control.
3. Cutting: involves the horse working among cattle. The horse is used to cut a cow out of the herd and prevent it from returning by countering its moves. These horses have inherited ‘cow sense’ over many years of selective breeding.
4. Halter Horse: these horses are not ridden but led. They are judged on their conformation, presentation and temperament.
5. Racing: Not a popular sport in Australia. However this form of racing over the straight quarter mile attracts large crowds and stakes money in the United States.
Appearance
The Quarter Horse has evolved as a compact, chunky horse standing about 1.52m (15hh). Depending on the discipline the horse is to be used for, there may be slight variations in conformation and temperament. For example a Quarter Horse bred for reining may have more upright hocks than the Quarter Horse bred for racing. However, the most significant feature of the Quarter Horse, its extremely muscular and powerful hind quarters, are a common aspect of the breed throughout all the disciplines.
Unlike the Thoroughbred, with its long narrow head, the Quarter Horse has a neat wide head and wide gullet. This results in a wider passage for air to travel to and from the lungs, allowing for more efficient respiration during exertion. Unlike the muscular and bulky hind quarters, the Quarter Horse has a fine and flexible neck, allowing for agility and balance during movement.
Although Chestnut is the most common colour, any solid colour is acceptable.
Temperament
The many disciplines which the Quarter Horse may be bred for each require a horse with an easy and willing temperament. Due to the nature of the work most often asked of the Quarter horse, be it stock work, halter class or pleasure riding, a tractable, responsive and willing horse is required. Of all the disciplines, the Quarter Horse is best known around the world for its cattle work. This skill is a genetic trait specifically sought after and bred into this type of horse, providing it with a natural and instinctive ability for working with cattle.
Maintenance and care
As with all horses, the Quarter Horse requires regular exercise and grooming. They are a hardy breed and are equally suited to paddock or stable life. If kept in the paddock, rugs should be provided during the colder months.
Health and lifespan
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a muscular disease which may afflict some Quarter Horses. This disease is due to an imbalance of certain electrolytes occurring in the large muscles, causing uncontrolled muscle twitching and possible profound muscle weakness. This genetic defect originated from one particular stallion, and its descendants are present in Australia. Fortunately a clinical test is available which determines those horses which are carrying the gene. Those horses in Australia detected with this recessive gene are still permitted to breed. However, by virtue of the breed standards, HYPP positive horses are not permitted to be imported into Australia.
Quarter Horses may also suffer from navicular disease, a degenerative bone disease associated with the feet. Although this is not hereditary, the Quarter Horse has a predisposition for this condition due to its straight legged conformation. Owners will need to maintain hoof care to minimise problems.
A healthy, well looked after Quarter Horse may live up to 30 years.
Cost
A Quarter Horse will cost from $2000 for a work or pleasure riding horse and up to $20,000 for quality breeding stock.
Recommended for
The gentle nature and the versatility of the Quarter Horse ensures its suitability for all levels of rider. Beginners however should start with an older, educated horse.
Further information
We filmed this segment with Greg McNamara at Crown Park Training Centre, Lord Ben Farm, Cobbity N.S.W. Greg can be contacted at the Training Centre on (02) 4774 8194.
For more information on reining and cutting, Rodney Conolan and Graham Lamey may be contacted on.
Rodney Conolan (reining); phone: (02) 4848 0031
Graham Lamey (cutting); phone: (02) 4774 8038
For further details of contacts in your state or territory, call:
The Australian Quarter Horse Association
PO Box 979
Tamworth NSW 2340
Phone: (02) 6766 8333
Website: www.aqha.com.au