Horse
Breed Description:
The American Quarter breed of horse is perhaps the most easily recognized American breed; people around the world have seen it appear in rodeos and in numerous Western-genre films, for near a century. The American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world, with over four million individuals registered. This breed possesses a strong, stocky build. The American Quarter breed of horse should carry a small head on a muscular neck. It may have small feet in comparison to its size, and should have a very strong rump, with pronounced haunches for power. It may occur in any of sixteen equine colors, with sorrel (brownish red) being the most common. The American Quarter breed of horse gets its name from the time when American colonists of the 17th century raced the breed in quarter-mile distances, and because of its consistency in being able to beat other breeds in this short sprint, began to refer to it as "the quarter-mile horse". Individuals of the breed have been clocked at 55 mph. The American Quarter Horse Association was organized in 1940 to track breeding and promote the American Quarter breed of horse. The breed is extremely versatile: in addition to being used as a working ranch horse and in rodeo events, the American Quarter breed of horse is also commonly used in show and in driving and trail riding competition, and in English disciplines such as dressage and jumping.
Temperament:
The American Quarter breed of horse is renowned for its gentle, friendly, easy-going temperament. Its quiet, willing and often forgiving nature makes it an idea choice for the beginning rider.
Height:
Averages 14.3 to 16 hands, or 59" to 64" at the withers.
Weight:
American Quarter breed of horse averages 1000 to 1200 pounds.
Health Problems:
Overall, the American Quarter breed of horse is a very healthy horse. Several diseases are seen in the American Quarter breed of horse, all of which can be largely avoided through genetic testing and careful breeding. These include Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), Herditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), Overo Lethal White Syndrome (OLWS), Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency, and "tying up" syndrome or Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM or PPSM).
Living Conditions:
The American Quarter breed of horse is a hardy horse, and is well-suited to pasture life for much of the year. However, extremes of heat and cold should be avoided.
Origin:
The foundation of the American Quarter breed of horse occurred in the colonial era, when American colonists bred the Native American horses inherited from the Spanish conquistadors, with the Thoroughbred. The result was a horse that could beat any other in a short sprint.
Later, the blood of the Morgan, the Standardbred and the Arabian was added to make the strong working horse that developed in the American West. Breeding favored strong musculature, good health and endurance over long distances. Particularly strong haunches and legs served well for ranch use, where a horse needed to stop, cut and turn quickly in the work of cattle - the modern American Quarter breed of horse excels at these maneuvers.
The horse became the most commonly seen; not only on ranches and in rodeo exhibitions, but in American Western film, bringing the American Quarter breed of horse to prominence around the world.
