American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse, the most popular breed in the United States today, is superb at sprinting. Its name is derived from the fact that this breed can outrun others in short distance races. Its popularity is immense, as it is the largest horse registry in the world. This breed is not only excellent in racing, but also performs well in horse shows and rodeos. Further, it is an adept ranch worker that easily moves because of its compact body. The development of the American Quarter Horse has its roots in the 1600s, when colonists in America started crossing Thoroughbreds from England and native horses that were developed from breeds that came from Spain, like the Arabian, Barb, and Iberian. Eventually, the American Quarter Horse came into being. At first, it was called the Quarter Miler. The Thoroughbred was a prominent contributor to this breed. In the 1800s, pioneers who realized that this horse had a natural way with cattle used it. Today, the American Quarter Horse is used in various competitions like barrel racing, team and cattle roping, cutting, reining, and more. It is exported worldwide to European countries, as well as to South America and Australia.