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trend now is towards specialization,” says Burwash.
That specialization has led to a lot of variability
in quarter horses, depending on what kind of tasks
they’re being bred and trained to do.
“Reining horses are different from cutting horses,
so you get lots of variation in quarter horses’ size,”
Burwash adds, noting that he has bred horses ranging
from 14 hands to 17 hands tall.
Some quarter horse enthusiasts love the taller,
leaner, more “thoroughbredish” lines that excel at
sports like jumping and racing, while others prefer
the shorter and stockier “bulldog” lines that reign in
cattle work and ranching.
The ideal quarter horse has muscular definition
throughout the body, with refined throat latch and
deep heart girth. Quarter horses come in all coat
colours and patterns from solid to roan, dilute and
dun variations. These horses are recognizable by their
short back and refined head.
Burwash has bred quarter horses that have gone
on to be top racers. His breeding program evolved
with his equestrian goals, through selective breeding
of his current horses to other AQHA stock. Now he
hopes to create a world champion hunter under
saddle. “They have a very easy-going nature, they’re
intelligent and they’re highly trainable,” Burwash says
— all traits that have made them valuable, beloved
equines for generations of horse owners.
albertaequestrian.com
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