Quarter Horse Breeders Full Of American Know-How
The Quarter Horse is currently the world's most popular breed and has been so for over fifteen years. There are more Quarter Horses bred than there are for Thoroughbreds or Arabians, two well-known and older breeds. Until the 1980's, Quarter Horse breeders were looked down upon the horse world as breeding an inferior class of horse. Now the Quarter Horse breeders are soothing their egos all the way to the bank.
From Multiple Roots
The Quarter Horse only officially was recognized as a separate breed in the 1800's, with the formation of the first Quarter Horse breeder's registry. However, depending on which Quarter Horse breeder you talk to, the breed has been around almost as long as the European colonists in America.
It is generally thought that the first horse to be called a Quarter Horse was a chunky Thoroughbred stallion imported from England named Janus. He was built like a bulldog and was the champion sprinter of his day. Virginia is considered the home of the first Quarter Horse breeders and the first Quarter Horses, sometimes referred to as "Chicksaw Horses".
They got the name quarter horses because in the colonial days, racetracks could only be a quarter of a mile long. They were made mostly by everyone in the colony literally ironing a stretch of road. After a quarter of a mile, you wouldn't want to do any more ironing, either.
Eventually, as the colonists pushed West, they brought their sprinters with them. These sprinters were bred with Indian ponies, Morgans, Mustangs and more Thoroughbreds. As America was the melting pot of the world's cultures, so the American Quarter Horse became a melting pot for all horse breeds in America at that time.
Why Are They So Popular?
There are many reasons why people beat down the doors of good Quarter Horse breeders in order to get horses. Quarter Horses aren't just handsome, but they are versatile, level-headed and very intelligent. Many Quarter Horses have wound up rounding up cattle one day, pulling a wagon the next and then learning tricks. Famous movie horses include the star of "Black Beauty" (1994) Doc's Keepin Time.
Quarter Horses also are good horses to cross with other breeds in order to make more economical and athletic horses. Arabian horse breeders, Thoroughbred breeders, Andalusian breeders and pony breeders like to cross their stock with Quarter Horses to make athletic cross-breeds for children that make good family horses and friends.
