American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is a fully American breed. The most distinguishing features of the breed are short and refined head, strong and well-muscled body, a broad chest and powerful legs. These horses are famous for their speed over short distances, which gained this breed a reputation of the world’s fastest athlete. The name of the breed comes from the ability to outrun other horses in quarter-mile races. Some individuals reach the speed of 55 mph.
The horses of this breed are the most popular horses in the USA. The American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world. It lists over 3 million American Quarter Horses registered worldwide. These versatile horses do best in western disciplines. They are second to none in racing, reining, cutting, rodeo (barrel racing, calf roping and team roping) and other sports. Owners of high quality American Quarter Horses can earn much in competitions.
The American Quarter Horse can also be used for pari-mutuel horse racing, dressage and trail riding. They make good police mounts and are suited for the role of a first-time horse for beginners. When obtaining a horse of this breed it’s important to know the difference between breed types. There are several types within the breed selected for particular tasks. Some of them are heavy muscled and suited for weight pulling; others are light and suited for racing or showing. If you need a horse for farm work or pleasure riding, there is no need to choose a show quality animal. American Quarter Horses are quiet and obedient, which makes them good therapy animals for children with mental disorders.
This horse breed is generally healthy and hardy, but if defective genes of the parents are transmitted to the offspring, it will cause serious disorders. That’s why the breeder should check the breeding stock for hereditary defects and avoid breeding close relatives. The most dangerous diseases in the breed are Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED), Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy, and Lethal White Syndrome. To avoid these problems it’s recommended to buy the American Quarter Horse from a reputable breeder.
