| The American Quarter Horse is the first breed | | | | a nice little children's hunter as well, with |
| of horse native to the United States. The | | | | the ability to jump a wide range of heights. |
| breed evolved when the bloodlines of horses | | | | They are one of the most versatile breeds in |
| brought to the New World were mixed. | | | | the world. |
| Foundation American Quarter Horse stock | | | | |
| originated from Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. | | | | Many pleasure riders still look to the |
| Selected Stallions and Mares were crossed | | | | American Quarter horse for recreational |
| with horses brought to Colonial America from | | | | riding, as they make a nice pleasure horse as |
| England and Ireland in the 1600's. This | | | | well. |
| combination resulted in a compact, heavily | | | | |
| muscled horse that evolved to fill the | | | | Breeders, since the creation of the breed |
| colonists passion for short distance racing. | | | | over fifty years ago, have diligently been |
| | | | trying to perfect the bloodlines to produce a |
| The amazing power behind a quarter horse | | | | high quality versatile animal.. Strict |
| enabled this great animal to run short | | | | guidelines have been set by the American |
| distances over a straightaway faster than any | | | | Quarter Horse Association regarding |
| other horse with the fastest being named | | | | registration of the American Quarter Horses. |
| Celebrated American Running Horse. The names | | | | Some of these guidelines include: |
| for this breed has changed many times over | | | | |
| the years until 1940 when a registry was | | | | 1. Limited white markings on the face and |
| formed to preserve the breed which officially | | | | below the knee |
| became the American Quarter Horse | | | | |
| Association. | | | | 2. Only thirteen accepted colors recognized |
| | | | by the AQHA. These are sorrel (reddish |
| In the year 1674 in Enrico County, Virginia | | | | brown), bay, black, brown, buckskin, |
| the first American Quarter Horse Race was | | | | chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, |
| held. They were one-on-one match races down | | | | palomino, red roan and blue roan. The |
| village streets, county lanes and level | | | | official gray color is what most people call |
| pastures. Many disagreements and fights were | | | | white, but there are no "white" American |
| generated from heavy betting of large purse | | | | Quarter Horses. |
| races by 1690. | | | | |
| | | | 3. A quarter horse foal must be the product |
| The American Quarter Horse, due to their calm | | | | of a numbered American Quarter Horse dam and |
| disposition and quick response time, the | | | | a numbered American Quarter Horse sire. |
| horse became known for its "cow sense", being | | | | There is an appendiz registry for foals with |
| able to outmaneuver cattle. During the | | | | one numbered American Quarter Horse parent |
| 1800's as many pioneer folk moved westward, | | | | and one Throughbred parent registered with |
| so did the American Quarter Horse. An | | | | The Jockey Club. |
| abundant amount of cattle ranches stretched | | | | |
| across the plains. Making this breed well | | | | Some other notable characteristics of the |
| suited for the cattle ranchers. | | | | American Quarter Horse is their speed, |
| | | | versatility, gentle nature, heavy muscling |
| In today's world, the American Quarter Horse | | | | and keen cow sense. |
| still remains a great sprinter known for | | | | |
| their heavy muscling, but they have exceeded | | | | If you own an American Quarter Horse, no |
| way past the cattle horse. These amazing | | | | matter what discipline you choose to ride, |
| horses compete in almost every discipline | | | | your horse will excel. This breed is one of |
| available, from rodeo events, such as barrel | | | | the most enjoyable horse breeds around today |
| racing and calf roping to English disciplines | | | | and one of the most popular. |
| such as dressage and show jumping. The make | | | | |