Cutting horses aren’t an official breed, but rather a type of stock horse (usually a Quarter Horse<\/a>) bred specifically for cutting competitions. 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Average height 15-5.2 hands <\/p>\n Head is short with a straight profile All colors<\/a> <\/p>\n Intelligent and calm Competition *All links open in a new window<\/small>
\n<\/p>\nOrigins<\/h3>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
Physique<\/h3>\n
\nBack is short
\nChest is broad and muscular
\nHindquarters are round and muscular
\nLegs are strong, with flat knees<\/p>\nTraditional Colors<\/h3>\n
Temperament<\/h3>\n
\nLoyal and brave<\/p>\nUse<\/h3>\n
\nCow horse<\/p>\nHelpful Links<\/h3>\n
\nNational Cutting Horse Association<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/h3>\n