Characters of American Quarter Horses
The size of quarter horses lies in between 14 and 16 hands, which is 56 to 64 in inches. Although there are several types of quarter horses like halter and hunter types which can grow up to68 inches.
They are available in most of the colors, but sorrel and a brownish red hue color remains common. You might have also seen black, brown, palomino, gray, cremello, white, and other colored quarter horses.
Types of Quarter Horses
Stock Type Quarter Horses
Stock horses can coordinate well with the livestock. Their strong hindquarters and small stature help them in agile movements. The stock horses present excellent results in reining and cutting competitions.
Racing or Hunter Type Quarter Horses
The racing type Quarter horses perform well in sprinting competitions of short distances ranging from 220 to 250 meters. They appear lean when compared to the stock type, but their thin, long limbs add to the strength they need while competing in hunting/jumping shows.
Halter Type Quarter Horses
Riders don’t ride in the halter competitions, rather, they lead the horse by directing with the hand. These competitions judge these horses based on their conformation and breeding stock suitability. Yes, they win the competitions based on their muscle build-up.
American Quarter Horses Diet
Like all other horses, they need a balanced diet of water, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and fats. We should decide on the quarter horse ration based on their body weight and work requirements.
Forage in diet: Good quality forage must be available for Quarter horses of all kinds. Both pasture and hay are good options to go with.
Macronutrients in the diet: It includes fat, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber present in the feed. The body requirement of each quarter horse will differ. Non-structured carbohydrates must be less in horse’s feed and fats to be higher.
Micronutrient demand: A horse’s body can synthesize some of the essential vitamins, like vitamin B in the gut. But horse feed must include micronutrients as an essential component, such as ration balancers or feed additives.
Conclusion:
With historical reference, we know quarter horses were versatile from the time of primitive evolutions. It may be in terms of colors or work. The calm disposition and muscular silhouettes of Quarter are a unique combination.
On the ground, trail, and on the farm, they excel with their amazing abilities. Because of their agility and short stature, they make excellent choices for flat course and barrel races.
They master rodeo events like reining (where the rider guides the horse through spins or other movements) and. Oh, wait! You can think of ranch horse championships too when having a quarter horse in the barn.