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American Quarter Horse

Equus ferus caballus

Red roan American Quarter Horse standing
Photo: Rumo — CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

America's most popular breed — a calm, muscular all-rounder and the fastest horse over a quarter-mile sprint.

TypeLight / ridingBest asRiding & familyOriginAmericas

How to spot it

A compact, powerfully muscled horse of about 14 to 16 hands (142 to 163 cm) with a short, fine head, broad chest and exceptionally heavy, rounded hindquarters. Sorrel (chestnut) is the most common of its many colours.

Temperament

Calm, willing and quick to learn, with an unflappable 'cow sense'. That steady nature makes it a favourite first horse and a mainstay of ranch and family riding.

What it's bred for

Named for outrunning any horse over a quarter of a mile — it can hit around 55 mph (88 km/h) in a sprint. It is the top breed for Western riding, ranch work, reining, barrel racing and rodeo.

Care & upkeep

Hardy and an easy keeper on modest feed. The heavy muscling means its weight and the sprint-hard joints should be watched; otherwise it is low-maintenance.

Health & lifespan

Around 25 years. Some lines carry inherited muscle and skin disorders (HYPP, PSSM, HERDA) — reputable breeders test for them, so ask to see the results.

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