THE BEAUTY ANIMAL

ONE OF THE BEAUTY ANIMAL THE HORSE

American querter horses

The Arabian ancestry (see Arabian horses), originated during colonial times. As the name implies, the Horses reputation for speed at the quarter- mile distance, enables it to spring into full speed and consequently is faster than the Thoroughbred (see Thoroughbred) for a short sprint. The breed was by far the most popular cattle horse in the early West.

Quarter Horses continue in this role today and are used almost exclusively for rodeo events such as cutting, roping and barrel racing. They are of solid color; stand 15 to 16 hands (60-64 in./150-160 cm.) high, weigh over 1,000 lbs. (450 kg.), and have thick muscular shoulders.
Hi! My name is Steve, and I’ve built this site in honor of my wife and her RESPECT for all animals; especially Horses.

Origins of Quarter Horses

It is difficult to give the exact origin of present-day Quarter Horses because the blending of bloodlines that produced a suitable short-distance horse started in colonial areas prior to the Revolutionary War. This blending of bloodlines and the infusion of Thoroughbred blood was continued in the southwestern range territory as the cow country developed.

The true establishment of Quarter Horses probably took place in the southwest range country. It was in the southwest that the true utility value of these short-distance horses was truly appreciated. The cowman found Quarter Horses quick to start, easy to handle, and have a temperament suitable for handling cattle under a wide variety of conditions.

Cowboys wanted to be well mounted. Ranchers tried to breed the kind of horses on which these men could work cattle and that could also be used in the age-old sport of racing. Quarter Horses were not raced on carefully prepared tracks but were raced on any suitable open space. Organized races were the exception rather than the rule with many of the races being run as a "match race" after a private wager between owner and riders.

The American Quarter Horse gets its name for it's record-breaking speed in the quarter-mile run. Heavily muscled and compact, these horses can run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse! The quarter-mile is still the most popular distance for racing the American Quarter Horse. The best Quarter Horses can run the 440 yards in just 21 seconds or less! They are rather small horses, standing at around 15 hands, but they have a variety of uses.

The Quarter Horse is the most commonly used horse for ranchers and rodeos. They are good at herding stock and excellent at barrel racing and cattle roping. They are also used in show jumping. The horse's calm disposition makes it a great recreational horse for children too. The horse officially became the American Quarter Horse in 1940 when a registry was formed to preserve this special breed.

The horse is stocky, stands about 15.2 hands high. American Quarter Horses have only limited white markings on the face and on the legs below the knees. There are also 13 other recognized colors of American Quarter Horses including the most common color of sorrel (reddish brown). The others colors are black, brown, buckskin, bay, chestnut, gray, palomino, grullo, dun, red dun, red roan and blue roan.

American Quarter Horses are found in all 50 states, throughout Canada and Mexico and in more than 70 other countries. It is no wonder this breed is the world's most popular horse. Its versatility and calm, gentle nature make the horse a wonderful riding experience for both the novice and experienced rider.

BUYING A QUARTER HORSE

WHAT IS MY GOAL

The first step in horse ownership is asking yourself, “Why do I want a horse?” This question will help you form a goal, which in turn, provides the framework for your buying decision. As a starting point, ask yourself the following: Do I want to become a better Quarter Horse rider and increase my knowledge of horses?

What types of activities do I want to do with this Quarter Horse
How much can I afford to spend on the purchase of a Quarter Horse, plus stall rental, feed, training, health care and haulin
How much do I know about riding — am I a beginner; will I need additional riding instructioN .
Will I work with my horse on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?
How much time can I devote to feeding, care, lessons, shows or trail rides.
Different goals require different types of horses and different skill levels of the rider.
If you plan to show competitively, obviously, the type of horse will differ greatly — in level of training, and subsequently, price — than a recreational riding horse.

EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS

Once you’ve established a specific goal, the next step is evaluating your level of horseback skills. Your skill level will indicate what kind of horse best fits your needs. Would you categorize yourself as:

Beginning, with limited knowledge of horses and riding in general
Intermediate, with a basic understanding of riding and knowledge of a chosen discipline?
Advanced, with considerable knowledge of horses and competitive at a chosen discipline?
For beginning or recreational riders, a broke, gentle gelding usually is the best bet. However, beginners with a competitive goal should locate a horse which has mastered requirements within the chosen activity, or is “seasoned.” For example, if your goal is to one day become a competitive team roper, it’s a good idea to find an older, yet sound gelding which has been roped upon extensively. Find a horse with enough experience to help you advance your riding skills first, while still allowing you to compete and hone your competitive talents.