The origination of the American Quarter Horse.

Blaze magazine has been a great sponsor of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association for years now, and we greatly appreciate the partnership!

In the 1600s, American colonists began to cross their imported English horses with “native” horses like the Chickasaw. America’s pioneers got a small and hardy horse that was a good work horse during the week and a speedy racehorse on the weekend. By the 1800s, settlers were heading West with these willing horses. They bred them with wild Mustangs, and other horses that American Indians rode, giving birth to the American Quarter Horse of today.

There are many kinds of Quarter Horses, but just two main body types – stock and racing. The stock type is shorter, more compact, with strong muscles and is very agile. The racing Quarter Horse is built to sprint short distances. They have longer legs and a leaner build. But both types have speed and stamina and a great willingness to please.

Now lets test your knowledge about the American Quarter Horse!

The name Quarter Horse comes from
1. The first Quarter Horse was bought for 25 cents.
2.  The horse that started the breed was named “Quarter.”
3.  The distance of a 1/4 mile.
4. A quart of milk.

Quarter horses can be a number of different colors except this one:
1. white
2. sorrel
3. chestnut
4. black

White markings on Quarter Horses can be found only on their
1. face
2. legs
3. face and legs
4. body

America’s Horse is well traveled. Quarter Horses can be found on every continent except this one:
1. Europe
2. Australia
3. Asia
4. Antarctica
5. South America

An Appendix horse is part Quarter Horse and part
1. Paint
2. Appaloosa
3. Thoroughbred
4. Morgan

To find the answers to these questions, check out the link to Blaze magazine’s Best Breeds Series!

Junior Master Horseman announces the brand new Level Three curriculum, coming in July. Learn more, plus get your copies of Levels One and Two today!

Trevor Ashcraft
AQHA Youth Intern