A cow turns and the horse is faster than the rider: it lowers itself, turns on its hindquarters and stands in front of the animal again. This feeling for cattle is not a coincidence in the Quarter Horse, but the result of centuries of breeding for work.
| Type | Western horse, compact stock horse |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA (Virginia and Rhode Island, later the West) |
| Breeding association in Germany | Deutsche Quarter Horse Association e.V. (DQHA), official affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) |
| Stock size | about 145 to 163 cm (Britannica); No stick size is specified in the German regulations |
| Weight | about 431 to 544 kg (Britannica) |
| Colors | 17 recognized colors, including chestnut, bay, black, dun, palomino, gray and roan (AQHA rules) |
| Usage | Western riding (reining, cutting, trail), cattle work, leisure time |
Origin and History
According to Britannica, the breed emerged around the 1660s from horses of Spanish origin and English horses that came to Virginia around 1610. At the end of the 17th century, these horses successfully ran quarter-mile races, hence the name. They later became the workhorses of cattle ranches in the western and southwestern United States.
Their own stud book came late: The American Quarter Horse Association was founded in 1940. In Germany, the DQHA is the official partner association and works according to the rules of the AQHA.
Exterior
Typical is the compact, muscular body with strong hindquarters, which is used for quick starts, stops and turns. Britannica states a height of around 145 to 163 cm and a weight of around 431 to 544 kg. The AQHA rules describe 17 colors, including Grullo (mouse dun), Buckskin, Cremello and Perlino. Large white spots on the body have historically been a reason for exclusion; Today the AQHA regulates this in detail.
Character (interior)
Britannica describes the Quarter Horse as calm and cooperative, with a good-natured nature and a natural instinct for cattle. This corresponds to what many western riders value: a horse that can move quickly but is relaxed in between. There are separate Futurity tests with high winnings (DQHA) for young horses. When buying, look carefully at how early and how much a horse has already worked.
Keeping and feeding
Most Quarter Horses feel comfortable when kept in a robust manner, with an open stable, pasture and plenty of exercise. Feed should be based on figure and work. For horses with PSSM1, a low-starch and low-sugar ration with regular exercise is important because the disease affects sugar metabolism in the muscle (DQHA manual, Mad Barn). Concentrated feed containing a lot of grain is unsuitable for such horses.
Health
The AQHA requires all stallions to undergo genetic health testing before their foals are registered. It includes PSSM1, GBED, HERDA, HYPP, Malignant Hyperthermia and, since 2023, MYHM, which is related to muscle inflammation (IMM) (DQHA manual). HYPP is a dominantly inherited muscle disease with muscle tremors and weakness, in severe cases leading to collapse. According to previous research, it goes back to descendants of the stallion Impressive; Foals from this line must be tested.
The following applies to breeding in Germany: Horses that carry a dominantly inherited defect do not enter the higher studbook departments of the DQHA. The PSSM1 mutation was detected in Quarter Horses in a large study (McCue et al. 2010). Have the test result shown to you before you buy, ideally with N/N for all points.
Who is the American Quarter Horse suitable for?
For anyone who seriously wants to learn western riding, for recreational riders who are looking for a calm and sure-footed horse, and for people with an interest in cattle work. A well-trained, older Quarter Horse can also be a good partner for those returning to horse riding.
Who is it not for?
For riders who aspire to show jumping or dressage at a high level; other breeds are bred for this. And for buyers who want to forego genetic testing. This is an unnecessary risk, especially with known hereditary defects.
Continuing: Before you commit, go through the checklist for buying a horse and use the Horse Cost Calculator to find out what the stable, feed, farrier and vet cost per month. For the name there is our horse name, for the wall there is a horse portrait from your own photo. You can find more breeds in the overview Horse breeds from A to Z.
Frequently asked questions
How tall does a Quarter Horse get? Britannica states that adult horses are around 145 to 163 cm tall and weigh around 431 to 544 kg.
Where does the Quarter Horse get its name? From quarter mile races that these horses won in Virginia and Rhode Island in the 17th century.
Which genetic tests are important for Quarter Horses? The AQHA panel includes PSSM1, GBED, HERDA, HYPP, Malignant Hyperthermia and MYHM.
Is a Quarter Horse suitable for beginners? Often yes, because the breed is considered calm and cooperative. Nevertheless, check the training and age of the individual horse.
Read more
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: Encyclopaedia Britannica: American Quarter Horse; Deutsche Quarter Horse Association e.V.: Zuchtbücher der DQHA; DQHA: Handbuch 2026 (deutsche Fassung der AQHA-Regeln); McCue ME et al.: Estimated prevalence of the Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy mutation in selected North American and European breeds, Animal Genetics 2010 (Zusammenfassung); Mad Barn: American Paint Horse Breed Profile.
