Where does the quarter horse come from?

Answer 1

The history of the Quarter horse: In 1604, the first pilgrims brought what many people believe to be the early stock for Thoroughbreds (Arabian and Spanish based stock) to the Virginia settlements. An interest in horse racing rose among the settlers and they found out that the new horse breed were the chosen mount. At only 14 hands, they weren't as tall but fast, capable of racing the quarter mile tracks. Some historians believe that more Spanish and Irish part breeds (known today as Irish Hunters) added height. The result was a taller animal (14.2-16hh) that was capable of working on small farms, being a sure-footed trail mount and a fast horse.

Today's horse is 14-16 hh and can be any color but most commonly bay and chestnut. They are an all-purpose horse that competes in western events, trail riding and for appendix quarter horses, steeple-chasing and racing the quarter mile.

Answer 2

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" horses -- foaled circa 1880; Traveler, a stallion of unknown breeding, known to have been in Texas by 1889; and Peter McCue, foaled 1895, registered as a Thoroughbred but of disputed pedigree. The main duty of the ranch horse in the American West was working cattle. Even after the invention of the automobile, horses were still irreplacable 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 American Quarter Horse. The skills needed by ranch hands 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. The horse honored with the first registration number, P-1, was Wimpy, a descendant of the King Ranch foundation sire Old Sorrel. Other foundation sires alive at the founding of the AQHA and given the earliest registration numbers included King P-234, Peppy, Leo P-1335, Joe Reed P-3, Poco Bueno, and Joe Hancock P-455. 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. Other significant Thoroughbred sires seen in early AQHA pedigrees include King Plaudit, Blob, Top Deck, Vandy and Truckle Feature.

Source: Wikipedia.

Answer 3

The first all-American breed, the Quarter Horse is perhaps the most popular breed in the world. It was first developed in the 17th century when Thoroughbreds brought by the English were crossed with Andalusian, Barb and Arab horses brought by the Spanish conquistadors beforehand. The "quarter" in the breed's name comes from the English habit of racing these horses over a quarter of a mile---the breed is explosively fast over short distances and the powerful quarters allow it to sprint from a standing start. After distance racing became popular the Quarter Horse could not compete against the Thoroughbred, but soon became apparent that it was an exceptional ranch animal with great ability to work cows.

Kings Ranch, Tx produced the breed

Answer 4

The name "Quarter Horse" came from the fact that Quarter Horses can outrun a Thoughbred over a quarter of a mile. The QH(Quarter Horse) is a better sprinter but the Throughbred has more stamina for a longer distance.

Answer 5

The quarter horse is native to North America.

Answer 6

It is actually called the American Quarter Horse. It was originated in the United States.

Answer 7

America. That's why it's called the American Quarter Horse.