I'm interested in finding out how many people own and ride, or have bred in the past, part-bred quarter horses (ideally AQHA.UK Section 2/3 registered, not Appendix-registered pure TB/QH crosses). I've got the opportunity to breed a PB, but before I make a decision based on sentimentality and the sheer faberooniness of my mare(!!) I want to get a better feel for the opportunities (or lack of) that are available to such horses in competitive fields, and how PB QHs are currently used (competitive and non-competitive).

- do you ride your part-bred English or Western - or both?
- if you compete Western, what are your showing opportunities - WES/BR restricted, with AQHA breed show classes for PBs?
- if your PB is English trained, what disciplines?
- what breed is your part-bred crossed with?
- how much to you feel your PB compares to/differs from a full QH?

Thanks for any pointers.

Post edited by: campbh, at: 2008/02/21 20:35

Post edited by: campbh, at: 2008/02/21 20:37

Just one point id like to make.. not wanting to criticise you personaly just a general comment I just think you need
to be sure your going to breed something usefull and wanted im concerned about the welfare aspect of unwanted horses, just my 2 cents...

Post edited by: Roland, at: 2008/02/21 20:48

I've got a qh and an Arab so could make two quarabs(sp)both have got reasonable breeding BUT as Roland says, what would I do with them? Apparantly they are an up and coming crossbred but there are so many horses out there.

hello,
The first horse I bred some 11 years ago is a part bred QH. His dam was a fantastic argentine polo pony mare so he is sec 3 reg. We have done loads together and I still have him. I have never done any western with him but we have been playing polocrosse together for the last five seasons and he has proven to be tough and sound, very laid back and a good dooer (far too good!!)He will stop and turn on a dime, neck rein etc and is also a fun hack and a great friend . He would be very hard to replace which is why I haven't sold him!! Hope this helps...

Hi Roland, Misty

The sentiments you raise are exactly why I'm asking this question! I have a totally fabulous sport horse with absolutely topnotch TB bloodlines, and I'm a huge QH fan, which is why I'm considering this cross - but unless I can honestly say that a foal from this mare will be mine for its lifetime, I'm a little wary about proceeding. I know a lot of PBs end up in the polo/polocrosse market, but since my mare came from polo and I see some of the damage that can, in the wrong hands, be done, that worries me. But equally, if there are successful PBs with full working lives that are bringing joy to their owners, I'd like to hear about that too! Believe me I take horse welfare extremely seriously and don't intend to add to the burden of unwanted horses in the UK or anywhere else!

I know someone who has bred a Quarter Horse stallion to a pure bred Exmoor on numerous occasions - (different stallions, my being the last ) and believe it or not the progeny are really proving theirselves to be excellent in the show jumping ring. All of them are easy to produce and learn quickly and very successful in their sphere.

Not a cross that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Quarter Horses, but it obviously works with their mare. Up to now she has 8 QH crosses, her current one being her last before she retires.