They’re the original all American ranch horse!
Some might say there are actually two types of Quarter Horses, a modern version and
an original or foundation one. It was during the 20th century that the breed was heavily
influenced by Thoroughbred blood. This created a horse that excelled in flat races. It’s
said that most of today’s Quarter Horses have as much as 20% Thoroughbred blood in
them. The old foundation type was nearly wiped out by this sleek modern version.
Fortunately, in 1995 the American Foundation Quarter Horse Association was founded.
They sought to preserve the original Quarter Horse. Nowadays, a horse can only be
registered with them if they have at least 85% pure blood. There is also the Foundation
Quarter Horse Registry, which requires 75% foundation blood. There can be no
registered Thoroughbred blood closer than the fourth generation.
What does a foundation Quarter Horse look like?
These horses are easily recognized by their unique features. They have a “bulldog”
body type. Foundation Quarter Horses are built low to the ground, but heavy with
muscle. While most don’t exceed 15 hands, they can easily be over 1,200 pounds in
weight.
Their eyes are wide set on a broad head. They have small ears, a bulging jaw,
a moderate-length neck, and sloping shoulders. Their back is short and they have
muscular hindquarters. These horses are dense, sturdy, and strong. While most are bay
and brown, there are some duns and palominos out there.
What are they used for?
Once upon a time, foundation Quarter Horses were highly valued by American settlers.
They could pull wagons, work in the fields, move cattle, and ride for hours. They were
and are known for their incredible versatility. In modern days, they’re praised for their
strength, speed, cow sense, and kind temperaments. Nothing beats their reliable and
calm work ethic. Many are used on cattle ranches for cutting, roping, and other various
duties. In the show ring, these horses are competitive in reining, working cowhorse, and
cutting.
Well-Known Foundation Quarter Horses
This list is a small sample of the many incredible horses that are 100% foundation. You
can find the complete list on the FQHA website (https://www.fqha.com/articles/100percentfoundationstallions.htm).
Joe Hancock
Blackburn
King
Wimpy
Poco Bueno
Joe Cody
Continental King
Peppy San
Hollywood Smoke
Be Aech Enterprise
Others like Topsail Cody and Hollywood Dun It have a very high percentage. Some of these
stallions made it into the NRHA Hall of Fame.
Quarter Horses are one of the most popular horse breeds in America. It’s fascinating to
learn about their history and how they developed over the centuries. Many performance
horses can trace their lineage back to foundation sires. To this day, there are still many
breeders that focus on preserving the original Quarter Horse. They have
earned their place in many barns (and hearts)!
