Quarter Horse Facts: The Basics of Quarter Horses
77
Quarter Horse Facts: What is a Quarter Horse?
What is a Quarter Horse? The Quarter Horse is a type of American horse known mostly for its speed in Western riding competitions such as barrel racing and calf roping. In fact, the Quarter Horse acquired its name because of its ability to outrun other breeds of horses in a quarter mile run. The Quarter Horse differs in appearance from the English-loved Thoroughbreds in that they are usually shorter and have a more stout build compared to the Thoroughbred's slender build.
The Quarter Horse is probably the most loved and adored horse in the United States today and can be found in every state in the country. It is no wonder that Quarter Horses are so popular, as they make wonderful ranch horses and overall great family horses. If you're looking into buying a horse for you or your family, you will definitely want to consider purchasing a Quarter Horse.
Quarter Horse Pictures
Basics on the Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse comes in almost any color of horse you could imagine. In fact, my mother has owned at least five quarter horses, all of various colors. One was a bay colored Quarter Horse, which is basically a darker chocolate brown color, another was a chestnut colored Quarter Horse, which is like a more reddish-brown color of Quarter Horse. The lighter colors include palomino (a light cream/golden color), buckskin (very light brown/tan with a stripe running down the spine, darker mane and tail), gray, and cremello (very similar to palomino but lighter mane and tail). These are only a few of the different colors of Quarter Horses living in the United States today.
Quarter Horses are widely adored by Americans for the fact that they work hard on a ranch and a farm but also (for the most part) have mild temperaments. Quarter Horses are the horses you see in a rodeo, being rode by a cowboy or cowgirl, aiding in the roping of an unsuspecting calf, dashing around the corner of a barrel; or acting as a steady-footed guide to a trail-rider. In fact, I've ridden many Quarter Horses in my lifetime and I can say with confidence that Quarter Horses are the most trust-worthy on a long trail ride...even into treacherous mountain terrain.
The basics of Quarter Horse care are just like any other horse breed: feeding (grass, hay in the winter, grain, apples and treats occasionally), grooming (bathing, brushing, trimming when needed, shoeing), exercise (running in a rink, trail-riding, or simply playing with other horses), medical attention (vaccinations, vitamins if desired, medicine as necessary), and of course...love. Quarter Horses are just like any family pet and should be cared for as such, but usually acquire more maintenance than a dog or cat would...after all, they are much larger than your chihuahua at home!
If you're interested in getting involved with Western riding, the Quarter Horse is the best pick for this style of horseback riding. Why? Because the Quarter Horse has been used for Western riding for hundreds of years and is the most skilled in the Western riding techniques. While they are hard workers and very fast, they can get hurt just like any other pet, so please take care of the Quarter Horse...the Quarter Horse is an amazing American breed of horse that should be admired and preserved.
Want to learn more about the Quarter Horse? Pay a visit to the American Quarter Horse Association's website at: http://www.aqha.com/.
Barrel Racing with Quarter Horses
More Pet & Animal Hubs by Kitty:
- Hillbilly Handfishin' or Noodlin': Would You Fish for Catfish With Your Hands?
Would you get in a muddy river and stick your hand into a hole under the water in order to pull out a catfish? Believe it or not, this is called handfishing and is something that many people are doing these days! - Ragdoll Cats & The Ragdoll Breed: Why To Pick a Ragdoll As a Family Pet
The number one positive attribute of owning a Ragdoll cat is their docility! Ragdolls are exactly what you would picture them to be...loving and playful. They are also very calm and relaxed, which plays into the whole docility thing - Owls in Florida: A Look at the Different Types of Owls in Florida
Just recently my family and I discovered a family of owls living in the oak tree in our backyard. We had seen the father owl perched upon a ladder in our neighbor's backyard the weekend prior to when my husband noticed the whole family hanging out on
Great information! Well written. The majority of the horses we ride and train are quarter horses. They are such reliable and versatile animals. Did you do any events on your horses? Do you still have horses?
Good info, and I love horses. I live in an apartment, otherwise I'd own one. And you are right--the quarterhorses always seem like the best, to me. Thoroughbreds are way to expensive and very high maintenance, unless you intend to race the animal, which I don't really approve of.
dahoglund - Glad I could be of assistance. :) Love your western stories, keep 'em coming!
LABrashear - That's awesome. I've always thought Quarter Horses to be the best American horse. The most reliable and trustworthy. My mom used to ride barrel races and trail riding competitions. I only ever rode for pleasure. No we don't have any horses any longer . The last horse my mom owned had a horrible accident and passed and she couldn't bring herself to buy another.
Paradise7 - You can still own a horse, you would just have to pay for boarding..which can be SUPER expensive depending on the place and location. I agree on the thoroughbreds, too. Too expensive, high maintenance, etc.
Concise well written with quite a lot of info for those who do not know about Quarter Horses. Agree with your answer to Paradise7, it's all a question of cost, and we know from experience
IS1820 - Thanks so much..yes, the cost is something to be looked at very carefully. Cheers.
Basic but good mostly. Except bays aren't chocolate coloured, they are any brown with black main, tail and lower legs. Palominos can be very pale through gold to a lighter chestnut colour but have pale manes and tails. Chestnuts can be very light, very red or very dark (liver chestnut) and can have flaxen mane and tail (lighter). Also greys start any colour and whiten with age. They are nothing like a palomino. A cremello is a very pale palomino that's almost white. Buckskins don't always have a dorsal stripe and those that do it is smudgy. A clear stripe indicates a dun which is the same yellowy colour.
Tony - Thanks for correcting me.
By the way, Tony, my mother owned a bay for many many years...they are close to chocolate colored...and isn't "chocolate colored" close to "brown"?
dahoglund Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago
Interesting information. Since I somehow started writing Western fiction I need to know all I can about horses.