American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) news from
around the Web. Please scroll down to see a brief article on the history of the
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About The American Quarter Horse
The
American Quarter Horse became an official breed in 1940 when the American
Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was founded. It is the first breed of horse
native to the United States, having formed over generations dating back to the
1600s in Colonial America. At first bred primarily for
racing over short
distances, the American Quarter Horse found a new role in the 1800s when it rose
to prominence as the horse of choice for the burgeoning cattle industry in
America.
The modern American Quarter Horse is a breed recognized for its gentle nature,
versatility, and its ability to explode to top speed in two strides. It is
highly prized for its extreme speed over short distances and its intuitive
capability to read cattle, a trait often described as "cow sense." As a breed it
has a virtual lock on being the preferred horse for managing cattle on the farm
or ranch, and for any competitive event requiring sudden speed and/or skill
in working with cattle. The American Quarter Horse is also overwhelmingly
popular for recreational riding and driving.
Did You Know?
The
American Quarter Horse gets its name for its extreme speed
over short distances, such as a quarter of a mile.
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has more registered horses
than any other breed organization in the world.
