HORSE BREED
The Incredible Quarter Horse The Quarter Horse can reach amazing speeds over short distances, but as AMANDA MAC discovered, speed is only one of this breed’s extraordinary attributes.
O
ne look at the Quarter Horse’s compact confirmation and powerful build, and it’s not difficult to see why the breed is renowned for its speed and agility. A muscular body and well-rounded hindquarters account for its aptitude for rapid acceleration, and a flexible neck facilitates remarkable manoeuvrability and balance. Add to this equation a broad chest and wide throat that allow easy passage for the volume of air required for speed and stamina, and the Quarter Horse is a truly unique package.
A multicultural history The history of the Quarter Horse is fascinating. Early in the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Americas. They brought with them horses of Iberian, Berber and Arabian stock. These breeds were characterised by their compact, solid build, their speed and their considerable stamina. Fast-forward to the 17th century and the arrival of the English pioneers, who also brought their horses. This time it was long-legged, deep chested Thoroughbreds, which had been bred for racing over long distances. One of the most famous of these imports was Janus, grandson of the Godolphin Arabian, a founding sire of the Thoroughbred breed.
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However, while the Thoroughbred was well suited to conditions back in England, things were a little different in the colonies. When it came to their horses, the pioneers quickly developed a wish list that included an ability to work with cattle, to provide day-to-day transport, and to successfully participate in the short distance sprint races that were becoming increasingly popular as a sport. Add to that a requirement for stamina, intelligence and agility, and it became apparent that if the characteristics of the Thoroughbred were to be combined with those of the horses of Spanish origin, it might produce the desired mix.
Enter the Quarter Horse The result of the Thoroughbred/ Spanish combination was a sturdy, smaller horse possessed of an amazing burst of speed that exceeded the capability of the Thoroughbred over short stretches. And this was important because the popular sprint races were
HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2019
