Intro
Cutting horses aren’t an official breed, but rather a type of stock horse (usually a Quarter Horse) bred specifically for cutting competitions.
Origins
Historically, the type comes from cattle ranchers who worked cow herds on horseback. Training their animals to stand face to face with a frightened cow and anticipate their next move. It follows that ranchers who needed good cow horses, bred for them. The Quarter Horse has long been a staple of ranch life and cutting is not the only specialization where they excel.
Cutting was an essential part of cow herd management, allowing for castration, branding and medical procedures. A horse with good cow sense was appreciated and likely bred. Large cow herds often lost some of their members to other herds and in response cattle roundups became routine once or twice a year. These meetings allowed ranchers to find any lost cattle and show off their skills with competitions.
In 1946 the National Cutting Horse Association was established but cutting horse owners who wanted to create official rules and procedures for cutting competitions. As mechanization made large cattle herds easier to manage from ATVs and helicopters, the need for working cutting horses declined. Today they are primarily used in sport competitions.
Features
Average height 15-5.2 hands
Physique
Head is short with a straight profile
Back is short
Chest is broad and muscular
Hindquarters are round and muscular
Legs are strong, with flat knees
Traditional Colors
All colors
Temperament
Intelligent and calm
Loyal and brave
Use
Competition
Cow horse
Helpful Links
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National Cutting Horse Association