American Quarter Horse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of

horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came
from its ability to outdistance other horse breeds in races of a
quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at
speeds up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h). The American Quarter
Horse is the most popular breed in the United States today,
and the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest
breed registry in the world, with almost 3 million American

American Quarter Horse

Quarter Horses currently registered.[1]

The American Quarter Horse is well known both as a race
horse and for its performance in rodeos, horse shows and as a
working ranch horse. The compact body of the American
Quarter Horse is well-suited to the intricate and speedy
maneuvers required in reining, cutting, working cow horse,
barrel racing, calf roping, and other western riding events,
especially those involving live cattle. The American Quarter
Horse is also shown in English disciplines, driving, and many
other equestrian activities.

Contents
1 Breed history
1.1 Colonial era

A palomino American Quarter Horse shown at

halter
Distinguishing Great sprinting speed over short
features
distances; short, refined head;
strong, well-muscled body,
featuring a broad chest and
powerful, rounded hindquarters
Alternative
names

Quarter Horse

Country of
origin

United States

Common
nicknames

"America's Horse"
"World's Fastest Athlete"
Breed standards

1.2 Westward expansion

1.3 Development as a distinct breed
2 "Appendix" and "Foundation" horses
3 Quarter Horses today
4 Breed characteristics
4.1 Stock type
4.2 Halter type
4.3 Racing and hunter type
5 Genetic diseases

American
Quarter
Horse
Association

Breed standards
(http://www.aqha.com/)

Equus ferus caballus

6 See also
7 Notes
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

Breed history
Colonial era
In the 17th century, colonists on the eastern seaboard of what today is the United States began to cross imported
English Thoroughbred horses with assorted "native" horses such as the Chickasaw horse, which was a breed
developed by Native American people from horses descended from Spain, developed from Iberian, Arabian and
Barb stock brought to what is now the Southeastern United States by the Conquistadors.[2]
One of the most famous of these early imports was Janus, a Thoroughbred who was the grandson of the
Godolphin Arabian. He was foaled in 1746, and imported to colonial Virginia in 1756.[3] The influence of
Thoroughbreds like Janus contributed genes crucial to the development of the colonial "Quarter Horse".[4][5]
The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Famous American Quarter Running Horse".[6] The resulting horse
was small, hardy, and quick, and was used as a work horse during the week and a race horse on the weekends.[7]
As flat racing became popular with the colonists, the Quarter Horse gained even more popularity as a sprinter
over courses that, by necessity, were shorter than the classic racecourses of England, and were often no more
than a straight stretch of road or flat piece of open land. When matched against a Thoroughbred, local sprinters
often won. As the Thoroughbred breed became established in America, many colonial Quarter Horses were
included in the original American stud books,[6] starting a long association between the Thoroughbred breed
and what would later become officially known as the "Quarter Horse," named after the 14 mile (0.40 km) race
distance at which it excelled.[8][9] with some individuals being clocked at up to 55 mph.[10]

Westward expansion
In the 19th century, pioneers heading West needed a hardy, willing horse. On the Great Plains, settlers
encountered horses that descended from the Spanish stock Hernn Corts and other Conquistadors had
introduced into the viceroyalty of New Spain, which today includes the Southwestern United States and
Mexico. These horses of the west included herds of feral animals known as Mustangs, as well as horses
domesticated by Native Americans, including the Comanche, Shoshoni and Nez Perce tribes. As the colonial
Quarter Horse was crossed with these western horses, the pioneers found that the new crossbred had innate
"cow sense," a natural instinct for working with cattle, making it popular with cattlemen on ranches.[11]

Development as a distinct breed

See also: American Quarter Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
Early foundation sires of Quarter horse type included Steel Dust, foaled
1843; Shiloh (or Old Shiloh), foaled 1844; Old Cold Deck (1862);
Lock's Rondo, one of many "Rondo" horses, foaled in 1880; Old Billy
again, one of many "Billy" horsesfoaled circa 1880; Traveler, a
stallion of unknown breeding, known to have been in Texas by 1889;[12]
and Peter McCue, foaled 1895, registered as a Thoroughbred but of
disputed pedigree.[7][12][13]
A photograph of Peter McCue, taken
in Oklahoma around 1905.

The main duty of the ranch horse in the American West was working
cattle. Even after the invention of the automobile, horses were still
irreplaceable for handling livestock on the range. Thus, major Texas
cattle ranches, such as the King Ranch, the 6666 (Four Sixes) Ranch, and the Waggoner Ranch played a
significant role in the development of the modern Quarter Horse. The skills needed by cowboys and their horses
became the foundation of the rodeo, a contest which began with informal competition between cowboys and
expanded to become a major competitive event throughout the west. To this day, the Quarter Horse dominates
the sport both in speed events and in competition that emphasizes the handling of live cattle.
However, sprint races were also popular weekend entertainment and racing became a source of economic gain
for breeders as well. As a result, more Thoroughbred blood was added back into the developing American
Quarter Horse breed. The American Quarter Horse also benefitted from the addition of Arabian, Morgan and
even Standardbred bloodlines.
In 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was formed by a group of horsemen and ranchers
from the southwestern United States dedicated to preserving the pedigrees of their ranch horses.[14] The horse
honored with the first registration number, P-1, was Wimpy,[15] a descendant of the King Ranch foundation sire
Old Sorrel. Other sires alive at the founding of the AQHA were given the earliest registration numbers Joe Reed
P-3, Chief P-5, Oklahoma Star P-6, Cowboy P-12, and Waggoner's Rainy Day P-13.[16] The Thoroughbred race
horse Three Bars, alive in the early years of the AQHA, is recognized by the American Quarter Horse Hall of
Fame as one of the significant foundation sires for the Quarter Horse breed.[17] Other significant Thoroughbred
sires seen in early AQHA pedigrees include Rocket Bar, Top Deck and Depth Charge.[18]

"Appendix" and "Foundation" horses

Since the American Quarter Horse formally established itself as a breed, the AQHA stud book has remained
open to additional Thoroughbred blood via a performance standard. An "Appendix" American Quarter Horse is
a first generation cross between a registered Thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse or a cross between a
"numbered" American Quarter Horse and an "appendix" American Quarter Horse. The resulting offspring is
registered in the "appendix" of the American Quarter Horse Association's studbook, hence the nickname.
Horses listed in the appendix may be entered in competition, but offspring are not initially eligible for full

AQHA registration. If the Appendix horse meets certain conformational criteria and is shown or raced
successfully in sanctioned AQHA events, the horse can earn its way from the appendix into the permanent
studbook, making its offspring eligible for AQHA registration[19]
Since Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred crosses continue to enter the official registry of the American Quarter Horse
breed, this creates a continual gene flow from the Thoroughbred breed into the American Quarter Horse breed,
which has altered many of the characteristics that typified the breed in the early years of its formation. Some
breeders, who argue that the continued infusion of Thoroughbred bloodlines is beginning to compromise the
integrity of the breed standard, favor the earlier style of horse and have created several separate organizations to
promote and register "Foundation" Quarter Horses.[20][21][22]

Quarter Horses today

The American Quarter Horse is best known today as a show horse, race horse,
reining and cutting horse, rodeo competitor, ranch horse, and all-around family
horse. Quarter horses compete well in rodeo events such as barrel racing, calf
roping and team roping; and gymkhana or O-Mok-See.[23] Other stock horse
events such as cutting and reining are open to all breeds but also dominated by
American Quarter Horse. Large purses allow top competitors to earn over a
million dollars in some of these events.
The breed is not only well-suited for western riding and cattle work. Many race
tracks offer Quarter Horses a wide assortment of pari-mutuel horse racing with
purses in the millions. Quarter Horses have also been trained to compete in
dressage and can be good jumpers. They are also used for recreational trail
riding and in mounted police units.[15]

The Quarter Horse is wellsuited for the western

disciplines.

The American Quarter Horse has also been exported worldwide. European
nations such as Germany and Italy have imported large numbers of Quarter
Horses. Next to the American Quarter Horse Association (which also
encompasses Quarter Horses from Canada), the second largest registry of Quarter Horses is in Brazil, followed
by Australia.[24] With the internationalization of the discipline of reining and its acceptance as one of the
official seven events of the World Equestrian Games, there is a growing international interest in Quarter Horses.
Countries like Japan, Switzerland and Israel that did not have traditional stock horse industries have begun to
compete with American Quarter Horses in their own nations and internationally. The American Quarter Horse is
the most popular breed in the United States today, and the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest
breed registry in the world, with over 5 million American Quarter Horses registered worldwide.[25]

Breed characteristics
The modern Quarter Horse has a small, short, refined head with a straight profile, and a strong, well-muscled
body, featuring a broad chest and powerful, rounded hindquarters. They usually stand between 14 and 16 hands
(56 and 64 inches, 142 and 163 cm) high, although some Halter-type and English hunter-type horses may grow
as tall as 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm).

There are two main body types: the stock type and the hunter or racing type. The stock horse type is shorter,
more compact, stocky and well muscled, yet agile. The racing and hunter type Quarter Horses are somewhat
taller and smoother muscled than the stock type, more closely resembling the Thoroughbred.
Quarter Horses come in nearly all colors. The most common color is sorrel, a brownish red, part of the color
group called chestnut by most other breed registries. Other recognized colors
include bay, black, brown, buckskin, palomino, gray, dun, red dun, grullo (also
occasionally referred to as blue dun), red roan, blue roan, bay roan, perlino,
cremello, and white.[26] In the past, spotted color patterns were excluded, but
now with the advent of DNA testing to verify parentage, the registry accepts all
colors as long as both parents are registered.[27]

Stock type
See also: Stock horse
Reining and cutting horses are smaller in stature, with quick, agile movements
and very powerful hindquarters. Western pleasure show horses are often slightly
taller, with slower movements, smoother gaits, and a somewhat more level
topline though still featuring the powerful hindquarters characteristic of the
Quarter Horse.

A halter-type Quarter Horse

Halter type
Horses shown in-hand in Halter competition are larger yet, with a very heavily muscled appearance, while
retaining small heads with wide jowls and refined muzzles. There is controversy amongst owners, breeder and
veterinarians regarding the health effects of the extreme muscle mass that is currently fashionable in the
specialized halter horse, which typically is 15.2 to 16 hands (62 to 64 inches, 157 to 163 cm) and weighs in at
over 1,200 pounds (540 kg) when fitted for halter competition. Not only are there concerns about the weight to
frame ratio on the horse's skeletal system, but the massive build is also linked to HYPP. (See Genetic diseases
below))

Racing and hunter type

Quarter Horse race horses are bred to sprint short distances ranging from
220 to 870 yards. Thus, they have long legs and are leaner than their
stock type counterparts, but are still characterized by muscular
hindquarters and powerful legs. Quarter horses race primarily against
other Quarter horses, and their sprinting ability has earned them the
nickname, "the world's fastest athlete." The show hunter type is slimmer,
even more closely resembling a Thoroughbred, usually reflecting a
higher percentage of appendix breeding. They are shown in
hunter/jumper classes at both breed shows and in open USEF-rated
horse show competition.

Genetic diseases

A Quarter Horse warming up for hunt

seat competition.

There are several genetic diseases of concern to Quarter Horse breeders:

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), which is caused by an autosomal dominant gene linked to the
stallion Impressive. It is characterized by uncontrollable muscle twitching and substantial muscle
weakness or paralysis among affected horses. Because it is a dominant gene, only one parent has to have
the gene for it to be transmitted to offspring. There is a DNA test for HYPP, which is required by the
AQHA. Since 2007, the AQHA bars registration of horses who possess the homozygous form (H/H) of
the gene,[28] and though heterozygous (H/N) horses are still eligible for registration, altering that status is
currently being discussed. Additionally all Quarter Horses born 2007 or later that are confirmed to be
descendants of Impressive must carry a note about the risks of HYPP on their registration papers. Due to
HYPP, the halter classes are undergoing significant changes. Halter classes are dominated by the
Impressive bloodline. Impressive, a very prolific halter horse, brought to the stock breeds the muscle mass
that is popular in halter competition today. This muscle mass is linked to HYPP, and as the condition is
reduced within the breed, the style of horse in halter classes is also likely to change. Already there have
been rule changes, including the creation of a "Performance Halter class" in which a horse must possess a
Register of Merit in performance or racing before it can compete.[29]
Malignant hyperthermia. A causative mutated allele, ryanodine receptor 1 gene (RyR1) at nucleotide
C7360G, generating a R2454G amino acid substitution.[30] has been identified in the American Quarter
Horse and breeds with Quarter Horse ancestry, inherited as an autosomal dominant[31][32] It can be
caused by overwork, anesthesia, or stress.[33]
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), also known as hyperelastosis cutis (HC). This is
caused by an autosomal recessive gene, and thus, unlike HYPP, HERDA can only be transmitted if both
parents carry the gene. When a horse has this disease, there is a collagen defect that results in the layers of
skin not being held firmly together. Thus, when the horse is ridden under saddle or suffers trauma to the
skin, the outer layer often splits or separates from the deeper layer, or it can tear off completely. It rarely
heals without disfiguring scars. Sunburn can also be a concern. In dramatic cases, the skin can split along
the back and even roll down the sides, with the horse literally being skinned alive. Most horses with
HERDA are euthanized for humane reasons between the age of two and four years. The very hotly
debated and controversial theory, put forth by researchers at Cornell University and Mississippi State
University is that the sire line of the great foundation stallion Poco Bueno is implicated as the origin of
the disease. As of May 9, 2007, Researchers working independently at Cornell University and at the
University of California, Davis announced that a DNA test for HERDA has been developed. Over 1,500
horses were tested during the development phase of the test, which is now available to the general public
through both institutions.[34]
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) is a genetic disease where the horse is lacking an
enzyme necessary for storing glycogen, the horse's heart muscle and skeletal muscles cannot function,
leading to rapid death. The disease occurs in foals who are homozygous for the lethal GBED allele,
meaning both parents carry one copy of the gene. The stallion King P-234 has been linked to this disease.
There is a DNA blood test for this gene.[35]
Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy, also called EPSM or PSSM, is a metabolic muscular condition
in horses that causes tying up, and is also related to a glycogen storage disorder.[36] While also seen in
some draft horse breeds, PSSM has been traced to three specific but undisclosed bloodlines in Quarter
Horses, with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.[37] 48% of Quarter Horses with symptoms of
neuromuscular disease have PSSM. To some extent it can be diet controlled with specialized low-starch
diets, but genetic testing is advised before breeding, as the condition exists at a subclinical level in
approximately 6% of the general Quarter Horse population.[38]
Lethal White Syndrome. Although "cropout" Quarter Horses with Paint markings were not allowed to be
registered for many years, the gene for such markings is a recessive and continued to periodically appear

in Quarter Horse foals. Thus, it is believed that some Quarter Horses may carry the gene for Lethal White
Syndrome. There is a DNA test for this condition.[39]

See also
Quarab
Quarter pony

Notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

"AQHA Annual Report - 2014 Horse Statistics". American Quarter Horse Association. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
Denhardt Quarter Running Horse pp. 48
Denhardt Quarter Running Horse pp. 2032
Mackay-Smith Colonial Quarter Race Horse p. 106
Mackay-Smith Colonial Quarter Race Horse p. 138
Mackay-Smith Colonial Quarter Race Horse p. xxxi
Beckmann, Bruce. "Quarter Horses". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved
2006-05-30.
"American Quarter Horse." Britannica School. Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc., 2015. Web. 1 Jul. 2015.
Dutson, Judith (2012), Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America, Storey Publishing, p. 64,
ISBN 9781603429184
Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association. "Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association 19762008". IQHRA Website. Iowa
Quarter Horse Racing Association. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
Mackay-Smith Colonial Quarter Race Horse p. 193
Close, Legends 2: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares.
Oklahoma State University. "Quarter Horse". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University. Archived from the
original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
Denhardt Quarter Horse pp. 143167
Kentucky Horse Park. "American Quarter Horse". International Museum of the Horse- Horse Breeds of the World.
Kentucky Horse Park. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
American Quarter Horse Association Combined Stud Book 1-2-3-4-5 p. 1
"Three Bars (TB)" (PDF). American Quarter Horse Association. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
Wiggins Great American Speedhorse p. 166
American Quarter Horse Association. "AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations". SECTION II, Registration Rules
and Regulations. American Quarter Horse Association.
Foundation Quarter Horse Association. "Foundation Quarter Horse Association". FQHA Website. Foundation Quarter
Horse Association. Archived from the original on 1 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
Foundation Horses. "Foundation Bred Quarter Horses". FoundationHorses.com. Foundation Horses. Archived from the
original on 26 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
National Foundation Quarter Horse Association. "National Foundation Quarter Horse Association". NFQHA Website.
National Foundation Quarter Horse Association. Archived from the original on 22 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
National Saddle Clubs Association (http://www.omoksee.com/)
The Canadian Quarter Horse Association (http://www.cqha.ca/)
American Quarter Horse Association. "Horse Statistics" (PDF). 2006 AQHA Annual Report. American Quarter Horse
Association. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
"Registration rules" (pdf). American Quarter Horse Association. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
American Quarter Horse Association. "AQHA Handbook of Rules & Regulations 2008 Rule 205 (d).". AQHA Website.
American Quarter Horse Association. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
Details on AQHA HYP rules for registration (http://www.aqha.com/association/registration/hypp.html)
"AQHA Handbook, Section 448 Halter Classes, (j) Performance Halter". Retrieved 30 September 2012.

30. Malignant Hyperthermia Associated with Ryanodine Receptor 1 (C7360G) Mutation in Quarter Horses - Aleman - 2009
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Wiley Online Librar... (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.19391676.2009.0274.x/abstract)
31. http://manc.umd.edu/Abstracts2010/LenzHYPP%20abstract.pdf
32. ftp://ftp.aave.inv.org.ar/IVIS/aaep/Equine%20Malignant%20Hyperthermia.pdf
33. Valberg SJ, Mickelson JR, Gallant EM, MacLeay JM, Lentz L, de la Corte F (1999). "Exertional rhabdomyolysis in
quarter horses and thoroughbreds: one syndrome, multiple aetiologies". Equine Vet J Suppl 30: 5338. PMID 10659313.
34. Sellnow, "HERDA (http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=9687)", The Horse Online News
35. Valberg, Stephanie DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM and James R Mickelson PhD. "Glycogen Branching Enzyme
Deficiency (GBED) in Horses". Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED). University of Minnsesota. Archived
from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
36. Valberg et al., "Exertional rhabdomyolysis in quarter horses and thoroughbreds
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10659313&dopt=AbstractPlus)",
Equine Vet Journal Supplement, pp. 53338
37. Ulman, Katherine. "Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis". Summer 2000 Newsletter. Purdue University, Animal Disease
Diagnostic Lab. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
38. Church, "ACVIM 2006 (http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=7628)", The Horse Online News
39. University of California Davis. "Horse Coat Color Tests". Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. University of California at
Davis. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-08.

References
American Quarter Horse Association (1961). Official Stud Book and Registry Combined Books 1-2-3-4-5. Amarillo, TX:
American Quarter Horse Association.
Church, Stephanie L. (2006-09-14). "ACVIM 2006: Prevalence of PSSM in Quarter Horses". The Horse Online News (#
7628). Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
Close, Pat (1994). Legends 2: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares. Colorado Springs: Western Horseman.
ISBN 0-911647-30-9.
Denhardt, Robert M. (1979). The Quarter Running Horse: America's Oldest Breed. Norman, OK: University of
Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-1500-9.
Mackay-Smith, Alexander (1983). The Colonial Quarter Race Horse. Richmond, VA: Whittet & Shepperson.
Sellnow, Les (2007-05-28). "HERDA: DNA Tests Available for Disfiguring Skin Disease". The Horse Online News.
Retrieved 2007-05-07.
Valberg SJ, Mickelson JR, Gallant EM, MacLeay JM, Lentz L, de la Corte F (July 1999). "Exertional rhabdomyolysis in
quarter horses and thoroughbreds: one syndrome, multiple aetiologies". Equine Vet Journal Supplement 30: 5338.
PMID 10659313.
Wiggins, Walt (1978). The Great American Speedhorse: A Guide to Quarter Racing. New York: Sovereign Books.
ISBN 0-671-18340-0.

Further reading
Denhardt, Robert Moorman (1997). Foundation Sires of the American Quarter Horse. University of Oklahoma Press.
ISBN 0-8061-2947-6.

External links
American Quarter Horse Association (http://www.aqha.com)
Information about Quarter Horses in Europe (http://www.quarterhorse-europe.net/)
Quarter Horse in New Caledonia

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to American
Quarter Horse.

(http://www.membres.lycos.fr/equitationwestern/)
Czech Quarter Horse Association (http://www.czqha.cz/)
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