The Quarter Horse is often associated today with western events, including rodeos and cow herding. While it is true that Quarter Horses often have a great innate “cow sense” for cutting cattle and working on the ranch, these horses are often overshadowed by the thoroughbred horse in the race world. However, Quarter Horses are still bred to perform at what they were culled to do: sprint over a quarter mile.

The Quarter Horse Breed

The Quarter Horse has generally less endurance than the thoroughbred in terms of racing at high speeds over long distances. However, it has been selectively bred to be super fast over shorter distances, such as the quarter mile –thus the name of the breed. The breed’s highly muscled hind-quarters make it a very capable sprinter and strong horse overall. Like the thoroughbred, it is generally easy to distinguish a Quarter Horse or a cross with the breed. Quarter Horses generally average less than 16 hands, although they can certainly reach 16 hands or taller. The breed is most often characterized by its thickly muscled body. It has a strong back and large hindquarters.

In fact, the thoroughbred horse is sometimes used to improve the Quarter Horse breed, which does show a slight influence in features within the breed. Unlike the thoroughbred (although exceptions do exist), the Quarter Horse can be well suited to a variety of riders, from beginner to advanced, and generally has a more laid back temperament than the thoroughbred. The horse still competes in quarter mile races today, and the races are still popular for bettors to place their wages. Yet the Quarter Horse also excels in other disciplines. The horse is well known for western disciplines, but it can also be very successful in English disciplines, as well.

The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal is a popular source for those who are interested in Quarter Horse racing. The breed remains a popular one to watch race and to work with, as well, as its kind and patient temperament often makes it a good family horse –unlike the famous thoroughbred race horse.