Quarter Horse (American Quarter Horse)

Quick, agile, gentle and loyal: the Quarter Horse, or American Quarter Horse, is one of the most popular horse breeds in the United States, with a variety of strings to its bow. The Quarter Horse has had many uses over the years: they have been used as race horses, work horses, in rodeos, on ranches, and plenty more!

With a friendly temperament and a highly trainable nature, the Quarter Horse is a good choice for riders of all levels, and is often seen across a range of settings. You may spot one American Quarter Horse carrying out police work, while another Quarter Horse may be competing in dressage, and another putting in the hours on an American ranch!

However, this striking horse is perhaps best known for its speed: the American Quarter Horse is incredibly fast, reaching speeds of up to 55mph, and Quarter horse races are a popular sport across the United States.

Vital Stats

WEIGHT:	430 – 545kg
HEIGHT:	14 hands – 16 hands
LIFE EXPECTANCY:	25 years
BEST FOR:	Ranch work, racing, shows, leisure riding and more
ORIGIN:	United States of America

Quarter Horse History

The Quarter Horse originated in the 16th century, when Thoroughbred horses were bred with native horses on the eastern coast of the United States during the colonial era. The result was a fast, compact horse which was used as both a work and a racehorse; in fact, it was the growing popularity of flat racing and the speed of the Quarter horse over the quarter mile race distance which gave it its name.

During the 19th century, the Quarter Horse gained popularity with settlers heading west, who crossbred the colonial Quarter Horse with native breeds including the Mustang, to create an agile horse who had what became known as a ‘cow sense’: a talent for working with cattle.

Over the years, the Quarter Horse would maintain its popularity on American ranches, as well as becoming popular at rodeos and in weekend races. 1940 saw the creation of the American Quarter Horse Association, which is today the largest breed registry in the world.

Today, the breed continues to work on ranches across northern America, as well as competing in rodeos and racing. It is also used as a show horse, in trail riding, in dressage, as a family horse, and much more. Its popularity is shown both in its versatility and in its numbers: there are over three million American Quarter Horses registered around the world, and the American Quarter Horse Museum is dedicated to showcasing this equine breed.

SIZE

Quarter Horse Size

Standing at between 14 – 16hh, the American Quarter Horse is stocky and muscular, with their weight ranging from 430 – 545kg. There are varying types of Quarter Horse: stock type Quarter Horses tend to be shorter and stockier, while hunter or racing type Quarter Horses are taller and leaner.

APPEARANCE

Quarter Horse Appearance

The American Quarter horse has a muscular appearance, and can be found in a wide variety of colours. The list of accepted colours is relatively long, and includes bay, black, brown, buckskin, palomino, duns and roans. However, it is the brownish red sorrel colour which is most commonly seen in the American Quarter Horse.

While spotted colours were once banned, today the American Quarter Horse Registry will accept horses of this pattern, and indeed of all colours, if both parents are also registered.

There are a number of types of Quarter Horse: the stock Quarter Horse, the racing and hunter type Quarter Horse, and the halter Quarter Horse. Each is suited to a different purpose and has a slightly different appearance. Stock Quarter Horses tend to be smaller and stockier; racing and hunter Quarter Horses are usually lean with longer legs; while halter Quarter Horses are large and significantly more muscular.

DIET & NUTRITION

Quarter Horse Horse Diet and Nutrition

Quarter Horses are happy to eat a regular equine diet of quality hay, grain, vegetables and fruits, with fresh grass, hay and grains forming the bulk of their diet.

Treats like carrots and apples will always be appreciated by the American Quarter Horse, and supplements can also be given. The American Quarter Horse is generally considered to be an easy keeper, and should be fed around 1.5 – 2% of their body weight daily.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS

Unique Characteristics of a Quarter Horse

One of the most unique characteristics of the Quarter Horse is its sheer speed: this agile and fast horse can reach speeds of up to 55mph over short distance sprints!

They also display a knack for working with cattle, which has earned them a reputation as having an innate ‘cow sense’.

TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR

Quarter Horse Temperament and Behaviour

The Quarter Horse is known for its calm, docile, intelligent and highly trainable nature, making them a great choice for riders of all levels including beginners; and as a family horse. They are hard working and eager to please, which has contributed to their success as a work horse throughout the years.

HEALTH ISSUES

Quarter Horse Common Health Issues

Quarter horses are susceptible to a range of genetic conditions, including:

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP): a hereditary condition which causes muscle twitching, weakness and even paralysis. The American Quarter Horse Association requires that horses are DNA tested for the gene which causes the condition.
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), a skin condition caused by a collagen defect.
Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy, a metabolic condition which causes symptoms including sweating, sore muscles, muscle tremors and lameness.

GROOMING

Quarter Horse Grooming

Quarter Horses will benefit from a regular grooming regime to keep their coat and skin in top condition. Daily brushing before and after a ride will help them to feel comfortable, while their manes and tails should be brushed regularly to avoid tangles. Pulling the mane is a good way to manage it, while the grooming regime for a Quarter Horse should also include currying, brushing and towelling.

LIFESPAN

What is the Lifespan of a Quarter Horse?

The typical lifespan of a healthy Quarter Horse is 25 years.

Shire Horse Size

One of the Shire horse’s defining characteristics is its large size. The Shire horse is one of the tallest horse breeds in the world, with horses generally ranging from 16 to 17 hands tall, although it is not uncommon for the biggest Shire horses to reach 18 hands or more in height.

In fact, it is thought that the largest horse ever documented was a Shire horse: a gelding named Sampson, who was foaled in 1846 and measured a whopping 21.25 hands tall (and 1,524kg heavy!).

Shire Horse Appearance

Shire horses are usually black, brown, bay or grey in colour; and are recognisable due to their large size. They display feathering on the legs; a muscular build; large hooves; and a slightly Roman nose.

The Shire Horse Society stipulates that Shire horses must not be chestnut in colour, while Shire horse stallions should not be roan either; and should not have large white patches on their body.

Shire horses are often compared to Clydesdales, and it is true that Shires and Clydesdales share a number of physical characteristics; as well as both being draught horses. However, the Shire horse is generally larger; more muscular; and with fewer white markings on their body.

Shire Horse Diet and Nutrition

Shire horses are happy to eat a regular equine diet of quality hay, grain, vegetables and fruits. Due to their larger size, they may require higher quantities of horse food to stay healthy and maintain their energy levels, which can make them more expensive to keep.

Unique Characteristics of a Shire Horse

Perhaps the most unique and defining characteristic of a Shire horse is its size: they are known for being the tallest horses in the world. They are also incredibly strong: at a 1924 British exhibition, a pair of Shire horses is said to have pulled a starting load of 50 tonnes!

It is this ability to pull their weight (and then some!) that made them the chosen breed to deliver carts of ale from breweries to public houses in the 19th and early 20th century. While this is no longer a common use of the Shire horse, a number of modern day brewers do still use the breed to pull carts of beer for both practical and promotional purposes.

Shire horses are also recognisable for the feathering on their legs, their large hooves; and their Roman nose.

Shire Horse Temperament and Behaviour

Shire horses are known for their easygoing, calm and patient nature. They are docile and hard working, due to their origins as a draught horse; and are not known for behavioural issues as a breed.

Bred to work in a range of environments, including busy cities, the Shire horse does not spook easily, which means they offer a smooth ride. This is a calm, dependable and manageable horse breed which is great for riders of all levels.

Shire Horse Common Health Issues

While they are a generally healthy breed, there are a few health issues to watch out for with Shire horses.

Shire horses can be susceptible to chronic progressive lymphedema: a chronic progressive skin condition in some breeds of draught horse, which causes swelling of the lower legs. There is currently no cure, however management can help to slow the onset.

Shire horses may also be prone to polysaccharide storage myopathy, another condition which affects some draught horse breeds. Symptoms include sweating, sore muscles, muscle tremors and lameness.

Their heavy feathering also means they are at risk of feather mites and mud fever, so regular cleaning of this area is important to keep your Shire horse in top condition.

Shire Horse Shire Horse Grooming

Shire horses typically require a standard equine grooming routine, although you may need some assistance in the form of a ladder to help in your efforts due to their sheer height!

The feathering on a Shire horse’s legs also needs extra care and attention, as it can easily get dirty and become irritated or infected. Regular brushing and cleaning should do the trick; make sure to fully dry the feathering off after a bath to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi.

What is the Lifespan of a Shire Horse?

The typical lifespan of a healthy Shire horse is between 25 – 30 years.

Why Choose a Quarter Horse?

The reasons to choose a Quarter Horse are plentiful: this versatile equine is a great choice for a wide variety of purposes! When it comes to riding, the Quarter Horse is trainable, gentle and intelligent with a steady nature, making it a good choice for everyone from beginners to more experienced riders.

They are also popular as ranch horses and in rodeo events, as well as for western and trail riding horses, dressage, and even as mounted police horses.

Quarter Horse racing remains a popular sport, and American Quarter Horses are often chosen as race horses, excelling over shorter distances. Quarter Horse jumping is another popular use for the Quarter Horse.