The Furry Critter Network

American Quarter Pony Breed Description

Back to Equine Breed Menu

Breed Organization

Quarter Pony Association

Native Country
United States of Amarica

Other Names
Quarter Pony

Adult Height
Between 11.2 to 14.2 h

Adult Weight
Various

General Description

The Quarter Pony is a small scale replica of a Quarter Horse. Unlike the Quarter Horse, it may come in any color, or combination of colors. The Quarter pony has been around for many years, deriving from Quarter Horses not reaching the AQHA's minimum (14.2h) height requirement of the early years. Even though the AQHA's height requirement was later phased out, the quarter pony continued.

The most recent evolution in the quarter pony industry is the acceptance of various colors and color patterns, rather than sticking to the original standard of only accepting solid colored ponies for registration. Acceptance of colors is enabling breeders to breed those all so sought-after color patterns such as the tobiano and overo paint patterns as well as the blanketed appaloosa patterns onto to the quarter pony size and conformation. Known quarter horse bloodlines are encouraged but not required.

The Quarter Pony is perfectly suited for riders who are too small to handle, or simply don't wish to handle a big 15 or 16 hand horse. Most quarter ponies average approximately 13.2h and weigh 800-900lbs. However, many breeders are beginning to raise quarter ponies weighing in excess of 1100lbs. at 13.2h-14h tall. These heavily muscled quarter ponies are quite suitable for larger riders and are often being used to compete in such (mostly adult) events as Bull Dogging(Steer Wrestling). The Quarter Pony is a conformation and height breed, which must display quarter type characteristics and measure between 11.2h(46") and 14.2h (58") at the withers at maturity.

Head: The head of the quarter pony reflects alert intelligence. This is due to his short, broad head, topped by small ears, and by his wide set, kind eyes and large, sensative nostrils over a firm mouth. Well developed jaws give the impression of great strength.
Neck: The head of the quarter pony joins the neck at a near forty-five degree angle, with a distance between jaw-bone and neck muscle. The medium length, slightly arched neck blends into sloping shoulders.
Shoulders: The quarter pony's unusually good saddle back is created by his medium-high but sharp wither 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 pony is deep and broad chested, as indicated by his great heart girth and his wide set, heavy 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 the front or the side.
Back: The short saddle back of the quarter pony 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 underline 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 pony 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, & Feet: The flat, clean bones are free from fleshiness and puffs that still show great substance. The foot is well rounded and roomy, with an especially deep, open heel.
Stance: The quarter pony normally stands perfectly at ease with his legs well under him, this explains his ability to move quickly in any direction.
Action: The quarter pony is very collected in his action and turns or stops with noticeable ease and balance, with his hocks always well under him.

History

The Quarter Pony was originally developed from horses that did not meet the American Quarter Horse Association's original height requirement of 14.2 hands high. This height requirement was later removed, but the Quarter Pony breed continued. Breeders and registries encourage known bloodlines from Quarter Horses, but these are not required by all registries.

The Quarter Pony Association was begun in 1964 with the ideals of a registry which would register small horses and ponies of western type, whose breeding could be unknown but which were desirable for breeding purposes. Crossbred and purebred animals are eligible for registration, as are animals registered with other registries that meet the entry requirements. In 1975, the National Quarter Pony Association was begun to preserve the smaller, stockier type Quarter Horse when breeding trends were leaning towards taller, leaner animals. The AQPA now registers horses in several foreign countries, as well as all US states and Canadian provinces. The International Quarter Pony Association, begun in the 1970s, also registers Quarter Ponies, and is a worldwide association for ponies of Quarter Horse type. The Quarter Pony Association is an association affiliated with the International Quarter Pony Association, with the goal of promoting the Quarter Pony. In 2005, the IQPA and the QPA became one organization, with the IQPA acting as the registry and the QPA as the membership branch. As of 2005, there were an estimated 3,000 Quarter Ponies registered with all registering organizations. Registries say that registrations of adult animals outnumber those for foals every year, as many owners wait until the pony is old enough to be shown under saddle before registering them.

Behavior

Quarter ponies are often the first choice for a child's mount due to their calm dispositions and even temperaments combined with their compact size.

Health

Very robust.

Back to Equine Breed Menu

Featured Rescues

"Don't Shop ... Please Adopt"

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

Petfinder

If you can’t find the pet you’re looking for on Petfinder, don’t give up. Some shelters maintain waiting lists for specific breeds, so don’t be afraid to ask! There are also breed-specific rescues for just about every breed, and most of them post their pets on Petfinder. (Petfinder can even e-mail you when a pet that fits your criteria is posted — just click “Save this Search” at the top of your search results page.)

Rescue Me

Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.

Top

Home » Contact » Service Terms » Privacy

Site Map

thanks for browsing!

Birds/Avian

Cats/Feline

Guinea Pigs/Cavy

Dogs/Canine

Dogs/Canine/Hybrid

Horses/Equine