The Quarter Horse

Head: The head of the Quarter Horse reflects alert intelligence.  This is due to his short, broad head, topped by little fox ears and by his wide-set kind eyes and large, sensitive nostrils over a shallow, firm mouth.  Well developed jaws give the impression of great strength.

Neck: The head of a Quarter Horse joins the neck at a near forty-five degree angle, with a distinct space between jaw-bone and neck muscle.  The medium length, slightly arched, full neck then bends into sloping shoulders.

Shoulders: The Quarter Horse's unusually good saddle back is created by his medium-high but sharp withers extending well back and combining with his deep sloping shoulders so that the saddle is held in proper position for balanced action.

Chest And Forelegs: The Quarter Horse is deep and broad chested, as indicated by his great heart girth and his wide-set forelegs which blend into his shoulders.  The smooth joints and very short cannons are set on clean fetlocks and the medium length pasterns are supported by sound feet.  The powerfully muscled forearm tapers to the knee whether viewed from front or side.

Back: The short saddle back of the Quarter Horse is characterized by being close coupled and especially full and powerful across the kidney.  The barrel is formed by deep, well sprung ribs back to the hip joints, and the under line comes back straight to the flank.

Rear Quarters: The rear quarters are broad, deep, and heavy, viewed from either side or rear, and are muscled so they are full through the thigh, stifle, gaskin, and down to the hock.  The hind leg is muscled inside and out, the whole indicating the great driving power the Quarter Horse possesses.  When viewed from the rear, there is great width extending evenly from top of thigh to bottom of the stifle and gaskin.  The hocks are wide, deep, straight, and clean.

Bone, Legs, And Feet: The flat, clean, flinty bones are free from fleshiness and puffs, but still show a world of substance.  The foot is well rounded and roomy, with an especially deep, open heel.

Stance: The Quarter Horse normally stands perfectly at ease with his legs well under him; this explains his ability to move quickly in any direction.

Action: The Quarter Horse is very collected in his actions, and turns or stops with noticeable ease and balance, with his hocks always well under him.

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