The American Quarter Horse

Hello, readers!

First off, I would like to welcome you to my blog and let you know that I appreciate the time you dedicate to reading my words of wisdom. I hope our time together proves to be time well spent. With that being said, I hope that throughout the next few months you will learn a great deal and enjoy your time here.

For the coming weeks, I will be posting entries mainly related to…. (ahem, drumroll, please)— the HORSE. Ever since I was just a young child, all I could think about was horses. I’ve been riding since I was very small and have learned a great deal about these amazing animals and would like to share my insight with you. While I realize that I still have a LOT to learn about these creatures, my experiences as a rider and trainer have greatly impacted not only my view of the horse, but of life itself.

It was once said, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” Few people understand the bond between a horse and his rider— honestly, it is quite unexplainable until you experience it for yourself. Having said this, I am not going to spend the next few months enlightening you on my horses and the crazy things they do daily. No, I refuse to gush about how my animals flew over the oxer with ease or how we galloped bareback across the sloping hay field. While those stories do in fact emphasize the romanticism of the sport, I beg to share a more educational view with you throughout our time together. Over the course of the next few months, each week I will introduce you to a different breed of horse in order for you to gain a better perspective of the horse world as a whole. Do realize that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of horse breeds and I could not cover them all even if I wrote here daily. These entries are merely an opportunity for us all to gain a better perspective of these animals while learning more about their history, make-up, and what makes them special.

This week, I would like to introduce you to one of the most well-known breeds in the world: the American Quarter Horse. This breed averages between 14.3 and 16 hands tall (a hand is the measurement used to find out the height of a horse; a hand is equal to 4 inches). Quarter Horses are considered to be one of the fastest horses in the world when covering a distance of ¼ of a mile, which is where there name originated from. This breed was created throughout the 1600s when American colonists crossed their English stock stallions (male horses) with native mares (female horses) that were used by the Indians. The cross resulted in a strong, athletic, well-muscled animal that could cover a lot of ground with a short burst of speed. For entertainment, early colonists would race these horses on straight roads around their towns. During the 1600s, there weren’t a lot of straight roads that were very long—in fact, most were very short and riders would have to win a race over a very short distance. This is where the name, “Quarter Horse” came into play.

As the settlers moved west, the new breed was used to push cattle and sheep across the plains. Farmers soon realized that these unique horses worked livestock remarkably well and could sort cattle easily. The Quarter Horses were said to be “cowy,” which meant they could read a cow’s movement and mirror their movements perfectly when sorting cattle, almost without the aid of a rider. Today, this tradition lives on through the sport of “cutting,” which showcases the athletic ability of horses who sort cattle. This trait helped the Quarter Horse soar to stardom throughout the west and it became a vital tool on every cattle ranch west of the Mississippi River.

Today, Quarter horses are sought after for each and every discipline that requires any short burst of speed. Whether roping, barrel racing, pole bending, or reining, this breed has proven itself to be a fast, reliable mount. In addition, the Quarter Horse is very popular in the show ring because of its natural balance and athletic ability. They do well in hunter/jumper classes and are very popular in dressage and western pleasure, a discipline that emphasizes the importance of a collected, well-balanced, and smooth stride.

Whether you are looking for a champion show prospect or a backyard pet for the kids, an American Quarter Horse is a supreme animal with a quiet disposition and a willing attitude. I once heard, “If you’re looking for speed, a Quarter Horse is what you need!” Looking back on that statement I realize that these animals are more than just a speed demon—they are truly a well-rounded horse that was bred to be versatile. That foundation has withstood the test of time and continues to prove that the American Quarter Horse is a unique animal with the potential to triumph in any discipline.

Happy trails,
Mary Helen