QUARTER PONY ASSOCIATION STANDARDS
The Quarter Pony is a smaller version of the
American Quarter Horse. The following will help to understand the breed.
SIZE: The Quarter Pony is required to
mature at or under 14.2 hands. Care must be taken to remember that “big” is not
“better” in the Quarter Pony world and all ponies 14.2 and under have equal
opportunity.
COLOR: Quarter Ponies can come in any
color or pattern.
HEAD: The head of a 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, sensitive nostrils over a firm mouth.
Well developed jaws give the impression of great strength.
NECK: The head of a 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 then blends into sloping
shoulders.
SHOULDERS: The Quarter Pony'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 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 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 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 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 a world of 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.
It should always be remembered that the primary
purpose of the Quarter Pony is as a using pony and conformation must be
indicative of good movement and soundness in whatever discipline the
rider/driver chooses. Care should be taken to consider that ponies shown at
halter are often involved in other disciplines at the same time. Ponies should
be judged in performance condition. Pulled manes are not required as some
disciplines call for the mane to be flowing. However, good grooming should be
evident and mane should not obscure the pony's conformation.
