Comments on: Quarter Type

By: Mary Manley

Mary Manley — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:36:25 +0000

I am looking for a win picture of Streakin Flyer with my brother Larry Layton-up–if u have this would u email it to me

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 01:58:10 +0000

Why So Small? I’ve recently started looking for a QH and have been disappointed to find so many ponies instead of horses. Every breed has variability in size but continuing to register QHs that are under 14.3 hands doesn’t seem to be good for the breed – they certainly don’t meet the breed ideal or the AQHA’s definition of what makes a QH (14.3 to 15.3h).

So, what’s up? Has anyone proven that larger – say 15.3 to 16 hand – horses can’t successfully compete in cutting and reining? Is this just a trend that no one questions?

Conformationally, are racing QHs the same as the ideal QH? Some say they are much more like TBs. If that’s the case – and their genetics are the same (or nearly so) how can they be registered as QHs?

Comments/information anyone?
Thanks.
Deb

By: Mary Lynne Zylstra

Mary Lynne Zylstra — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:26:56 +0000

Personally, I think the modern Quarter Horse has too much Thoroughbred blood and the legs and hooves have been compromised. The heads are thinner now and it’s hard to distinguish from a Thoroughbred. I agree that for the most part, the Thoroughbred blood has improved the QH, but now there is too much. If I wanted a TB, I’d go and buy one.
There is too much emphasis on big/tall and long-legged with the modern QH. A solid built QH with good leg-bone substance and decent size hooves can only be found on the foundation and ranch bred QH now. They do not break down as easily and are much sounder.
I think there are too many types of QH out there. I’d like to see the pendulum swing back to a nice solid built good bone structured quarter horse. You’d still have the great mind, ride and versatility, along with a good looking and functional horse that won’t break down at a young age. Also, I am wondering if the different types could show in classes (halter for example) as “type”
Thoroughbred type, pleasure type, ranch/foundation type. Maybe that would eliminate the continued breeding of the “unrideable halter horse” type.

By: Dawn from GA

Dawn from GA — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:27:45 +0000

I just bought a “halter-bred” mare. I was so very scared that she was only “pretty.” This thinking has come from many opinions that the halter horse out there is just a freak of nature and could never do anything more than look good (and she does). But I have ridden many of today’s “riding” AQHA and I am here to tell you, this halter bred mare has the mind of any riding one out there-she is smart, loving, loyal and really wants to do the right thing…she has been the easiest horse I have ever started and the comfort in the saddle is an amazing surprise!!
So, thank you to all out there that say halter horses can do more-it makes me feel better knowing I don’t have an odd “halter bred” horse.

By: Mary Lane

Mary Lane — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:30:35 +0000

I believe he is at the Barrett Ranch in Peyton, CO. I would love to see him too.

By: Candyh

Candyh — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:23:19 +0000

Where is Best Advice showing and or standing. i would like to see him.

By: Mary L

Mary L — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:27:29 +0000

I have to agree with Diane G that ‘Best Advice’ is the best-looking quarter horse to come down the pike in a long time. He IS the Oren Mixer horse! He looks like he can do anything. I always hear the the quarter horse is the worlds most versatile horse, but by breeding so severely to ‘type’, I wonder if each different discipline could do any of the other disciplines? I wish AQHA would hold the Versatility Class in the highest esteem – as THE goal to get thru, i.e., start a horse with halter, then move to training in versatility for the true and only Champions in the breed. That is a lot of ask of a horse, but many are already doing it. If all quarter horses were bred to try for this goal, we would get a more singular ‘type’ that could do all these things.

By: Ed Lawrence

Ed Lawrence — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:00:49 +0000

I think we are getting away from the Author’s point. He stressed the importance of being able to see “type” and “breed character” in today’s Quarter Horse — regardless of lines or disciplines. This is not about today’s halter horse, it is about today’s ‘halter classes’. It is my choice to breed, show, and ride (modern) halter horses, but that has little or nothing to do with my ability to see, assess, and appreciate a well-balanced roping horse or structurally correct 17hh hunt seat horse as having well-deserved Quarter Horse breed character or type. While it may not be my interest to own and breed either of these, I must strive to see the benefit of having both as being representative of the breed when judging a ‘halter class’. After all is said and done, they are still Quarter Horses. Smart Little Lena showed us how the improbable can indeed be possible when we focus on type and breed character! I humbly suggest we let go of any narrowed thinking about today’s halter horse — they ride, they slide, they rope, they lope, they sprint, they cross streams, they climb steep switchbacks under full pack, and they will drag a calf to the fire just as easily as their ancestors did in the 1940s — and still give the grandkids a quiet ride around the arena during Holiday visits. What more must today’s halter horse do for you?!

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:01:34 +0000

I cannot beleve the generalizations and assumptions that many of the posters have made. You automatically ASSUME that just because a horse is currently showing halter that he can’t be used for anything else. Have you ever asked if any of these horses are ridden? Sure, some people CHOOSE to not ride their halter horses but this does not mean that they can’t or won’t. I’m here to tell you that every one of my halter bred horses are broke to ride when they are two. My current show mare is an awesome mover and she’s quiet under saddle. I know many many others who ride their halter horses. So please, don’t assume halter horses can’t ride – maybe it’s just that the enhibitor choose NOT to or some health issue prevent them FROM riding.

By: aimee getter

aimee getter — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:53:09 +0000

I agree with Alice- Please keep the QH as a riding horse, not a halter pasture ornament- they serve no purpose whatsoever.

By: Alice Meronek

Alice Meronek — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:16:24 +0000

I think a halter horse should have conformation to be a using horse. The unride-able halter horse is wrong. If you want a heavy draft type, it should still be right minded so it can be ridden. Drafts can be ridden and driven. And this idea that all thoroughbreds are thin, freaky horses is wrong. Sprinting thoroughbreds are blocky body type. Many thoroughbreds are kids horses. Most of the race horses you see on TV are 2 and 3 year old studs. Of course they act a bit studdy. Please keep QH as riding horses, not halter pasture ornaments.

By: Norm Lutter

Norm Lutter — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:14:02 +0000

I agree with the points the author made, but one thing seems to be missing, and that is a good mind that needs to go with the other attributes he mentioned. A good minded horse does not have his (bred in phobias) as seems to be in to many quarter horse of today. The attributes must be balanced. Example – the old King P-234 offspring were not always heavily muscled, yet they were very athletic and usually had a heart and soul that would not quit, a poppy eye, and well balanced for their size.