So, You Think You Love Horses?

Some Reflections on the Nature of Horses and Man

Glossary of Equestrian Terms Words Beginning with Q

Photo by Bethany Pastorial

• Qashqai (Qasghghai)

  [Horse Breed] Qashqais are a horse breed developed by the nomadic Gashga'i people in southwestern Iran. They are very athletic and make excellent polo mounts and jumpers. Like many oriental horse breeds, it is likely they were originally developed for raiding. They are relatively uncommon.

• Quadrille

  Two Members of a Drill Team in a Quadrille

  
  [Team Riding] A quadrille is a team riding competition or exhibition with four or more riders, performing choreographed moves set to music. Various riding disciplines perform quadrilles, including dressage riders, western drill teams and the Mexican Escaramuza charra. Quadrilles are often done during the opening events of various horse shows or exhibitions.

• Quarry

  [Fox Chasing] The quarry is the particular animal the hounds are hunting. Most commonly it is a red Fox (Vulpes vulpes.)

• Quarter Crack

  [Hoof Care] A quarter crack is a split in the quarter section of the hoof downward from the coronet to the sole. They are common under dry conditions. Significant ones can cause lameness. Farriers have several strategies to deal with them. They will grow out over time and better conditions.

• Quarter Horse

  [Horse Breed] Quarter horses are an American breed, originally developed for running quarter-mile races, hence the name. The quarter horse is generally shorter than typical Thoroughbreds, stocky, muscular and fast in shorter distances. Unlike Thoroughbreds are are short-coupled, which allows them superior maneuverability. However, they are still fast and are known to reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour. They are considered good general purpose mounts and are claimed by many to be the most popular breed in the U.S. at present. Although many features of the breed can be seen in contrast to Thoroughbreds the original foundation sire of the breed was Janus, himself a Thoroughbred imported to America from England in colonial times.

• Quarter Marks

  [Horse Management] Quarter marks are a decorative marking, created on a horse's haunches and made by moistening the hair and then brushing the hairs in the same direction, using a stencil or just free hand. A fixative spray is often used the hold the pattern longer. The most common pattern is a checkerboard. I have noticed these a couple times at shows, but I think most people are too busy getting ready and do not have the time to do this even if they wanted to. Those putting a pattern on a horse want them to be eye catching, to the judge as well as the general spectators.

• Quarter Sheet

  [Equine Equipage] A quarter sheet is a sheet that covers the horse's back and hindquarters for cold weather riding.

• Quartet

  [Polo] The number of players on a polo team is four, called a quartet. Each plays a distinct position, from which they will depart from in the course of play if necessary. The number one position plays offence focused on hitting goals, number two plays forward both in a offensive role and a defensive role, number three is a tactical leader who tries to turn all plays to offence by getting the ball away from the other team and number four plays back in a defensive roll to protect the goal area.

• Quick Release Stirrup (Safety Stirrup or Peacock Stirrup)

  [Equine Equipage] A quick release stirrup is an English stirrup with a thick rubber band in place of the outside arm frame of the stirrup. Should the rider fall in such a way that his foot is caught in the stirrup the rubber band will pull of its hook.

• Quid

  [Veterinary Medicine] A quid is a ball of hay or grass that a horse has spit out of its mouth. It is often an indicator of a dental problem.

• Quittor

  [Veterinary Medicine] Quittor is a serious, chronic, purulent infection of the collateral cartilage (sidebones). These are plates of cartilage found within the hoof capsule. They run from the coffin bone and extend upwards beyond the coronary band on each side of the hoof. When the abscess tracts to the surface it opens in the coronary band. Lameness is an early symptom. The condition is difficult to treat.