Quarterhorse
The Quarter Horse is a breed of horse bred in the United States. The name of the breed is associated with the ability to run a quarter-mile distance as quickly as possible (faster than horses of other breeds).
In the photo: a horse of the Quarter Horse breed. Photo: wikimedia.org
Contents
History of the Quarter Horse breed
The history of the Quarter Horse breed begins with the appearance of horses on the American continent.
The colonists could not do without stocky and strong horses. With the help of these magnificent animals, people grazed cattle and valued fearlessness, athletic ability and reliability in maned helpers. These small but well-knit horses could instantly stop and turn at full gallop.
Later in Verginia, wherever horses could gallop at least a quarter of a mile, races began to be held at these distances. And quarter horses, thanks to their powerful muscles and ability to take off in a quarry (literally) and develop breakneck speed over a short distance, were unmatched.
And at the present time, it is quarter horses who are in the lead in western competitions (for example, rodeo and barrel racing).
Today, the Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the United States. Around 3 Quarter Horses are registered worldwide.
In the photo: a horse of the Quarter Horse breed. Photo: wikimedia.org
Description of Quarter Horses
The Quarter Horse is not a very tall horse. The height at the withers of the Quarter Horse is 150 – 163 cm.
The head of the Quarter Horse is broad, short, and the muzzle is small. The eyes are wide apart, large, intelligent.
The body of the Quarter Horse is compact, the chest is broad, the loin is powerful, the thighs are muscular and heavy, the croup is slightly sloping, well muscled, strong.
The quarter horse can be any solid color.
Quarter horses, due to their build, can reach phenomenal speeds over short distances – about 55 miles / hour (approximately 88,5 km / h).
In the photo: a horse of the Quarter Horse breed. Photo: flickr.com
The nature of the Quarter Horse is balanced and calm, which makes the horses of this breed almost ideal for amateur riding, as well as excellent family horses.
The use of horses of the Quarter Horse breed
Quarter Horses have excelled in western competitions and as workhorses. They also participate in competitions in other disciplines of equestrian sports.
In addition, quarterhorses are widely used for recreational riding and as companion horses.
In the photo: a cowboy on a horse of the Quarter Horse breed. Photo: maxpixel.net
Famous Quarter Horses
- Light gray quarterhorse Moby lives with Dandy Daily McCall, author of over 300 children’s books about horses.
- The quarterhorse Docs Keepin time was filmed in the film “Black Beauty”.
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