Horses

American Quarter Horse Description

The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in America. Its single most valuable characteristic is that of being the most willing, easygoing, even-tempered of all the breeds. Whatever it is asked to do, it will give its all. American colonists crossed the more refined English stock with the Chickaswas, which is of Spanish stock and still in existence today. The original American Quarter Horses were hardy, fast and docile little horses that worked hard during the week and provided competitors with a speedy mount on short straight-aways on holidays. Later, with the developement of the Thoroughbred, it was discovered that no animal could run the quarter of a mile like the little colonial horse. The Quarter Horse was soon pushed out of the limelight by the popularity of the Thoroughbred, but by the early 1800's, the demand for a rugged and willing horse to help conquer the newly explored West put the Quarter Horse to work. They were saddled for cross-country treks and hitched to covered wagons. It was also discovered about this time by cowboys that the Quarter Horse retained the legacy of its Spanish ancestor for working cattle. Today, it is the largest breed registry in the world. There are two types of Quarter Horses; the Standard Quarters, which are stocky, compact, heavily muscled, necessary for cattle work, powerful hindquarters, a short back , well muscled neck and a broad, deep chest. Its head is also stil short and refined with tiny ears and wide set eyes. The Running Quarter Horses resemble their Thoroughbred ancestors in conformation, more of a greyhound look, but still with powerful hindquarters, a trademark of the breed. The Quarter horses come in 13 different colors including bay, chestnut, brown, black, dun, red dun, buckskin, palomino, blue roan, red roan, gray, grullo, and sorrel, which is the most popular. The average Quarter Horse usually lives 20 years, though some may live as long as 35 years with proper care.

The American Quarter Horse is well known both as a race horse and for its performance in rodeos, horse shows and as a working ranch horse. The compact body of the American Quarter Horse is well-suited to the intricate and speedy maneuvers required in reining, cutting, working cow horse, barrel racing, calf roping, and other western riding events, especially those involving live cattle. The American Quarter Horse is also shown in English disciplines, driving, and many other equestrian activities.

American Paint Horse

The American Paint descended from horses introduced by the Spanish conquistadors. Paints became part of the herds of wild horses that roamed the Western plains. Native Americans widely used the Paint, and some even believed this horse to possess magical powers.

The Paint was cherished by cowboys for cattle work because they were nimble and worked hard. American Paint Horses are easy-going, friendly and intelligent.

The Paint has distinctive coloring. Their coat markings fall into two classes- tobiano (white with dark markings) or overo (dark with light markings).

The overo (pronounced: oh vair' oh) pattern may also be either predominantly dark or white. But typically, the white on an overo will not cross the back of the horse between its withers and its tail.
Not all coat patterns fit neatly into the tobiano or overo categories. For this reason, a number of years ago the classifications have been expanded to include "tovero" (pronounced: tow vair' oh) to describe horses that have characteristics of both the tobiano and overo patterns.

The American Paint Horse is an excellent horse for ranch work, rodeo, trail riding, showing, or simply as a friendly mount for the kids.

Pintos Mean "Paint" Too

The Pinto is the Spanish word for "paint". Most Paints are also Pintos, but not all Pintos are Paints, since the Pinto Horse Association of America allows different breeding restrictions than the American Paint Horse Association.