Content watched by Whocopied.me Skip to Content

11 Facts About the Quarab Horse

By: Author April Lee

Posted on Last updated:

Sharing is caring!

*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer for additional details.

The Quarab horse might not be a breed you have heard a lot about.

In fact, they’re relatively new in the horse world, but they have still gained popularity in recent years due to their beauty, endurance, and versatility.

These horses are known for their unique appearance with a dished profile, a long, arched neck, and a high-set tail. You’ll recognize them for their short, fine coat that can be any color but is often bay, chestnut, or black.

Let’s learn more about this stunning breed and check out some interesting facts about the Quarab horse!

11 Facts About The Quarab Horse

They Are Partially Arabians…

White Arabian horse grazing on the mountain slope

Quarab horses are a cross between an Arabian horse and a Quarter horse.

Arabians are one of the most stunning horse breeds you’ll see. They are also one of the oldest breeds since their history dates back to at least 4,500 years ago.

Arabians originally come from the Arabian Peninsula.

You’ll recognize them for their high tail carriage, specific dished heads, and spirited nature.

That means their heads are refined and wedge-shaped, with big eyes and nostrils. They also have a broad forehead and small muzzles.

These horses are remarkably intelligent too. The stories through history show that these horses have been in pretty good relationships with humans. 

In fact, they lived among the desert tribes of the region where they come from for thousands of years.

And the tribe that originally developed this unique breed was the Bedouins. They took good care of them and basically treated these magnificent creatures as part of their families.

Since Arabians have existed for so long, no wonder they have influenced many horse breeds we see today — including the Quarab.

…and Partially Quarter Horses!

Portrait of an American Quarter horse

Then there’s the other side of the Quarab family — the famous Quarter horse. It’s a breed so many people see as the quintessential “all-American horse”.

People mostly associate them with America’s West, but this breed developed from Spanish stock in Colonial times, in Virginia.

The primary purpose of the horses that colonists used to own was to plow the farms. However, they were also great for activities such as horse racing.

Here we are talking about the most popular breed in America, with a population that’s constantly growing.

In fact, there have been more than 6 million registered Quarter horses between 1940 and 2020. That means there are nearly 80,000 registered new horses each year.

They’re Bred in the United States

The origins of the Quarab horse can be traced back to the 1970s in the United States.

As we’ve mentioned, the breed was developed by crossing Arabian horses and Quarter horses in an effort to collect and combine the best skills and traits of these two.

Likely, people wanted to create a horse that had the endurance and beauty of the Arabian, combined with the strength and agility of the Quarter horse.

The new breed they got was officially named Quarab, which is a combination of the two breeds’ names.

They Can Have Paint Horse Bloodlines

American Paint horses are known for their distinctive coat patterns, which often include large patches of white and a combination of two or more colors.

Some Quarab horses may have Paint horse bloodlines due to crossbreeding with Paint horses in the past.

While this can result in a unique and striking appearance, it may also affect the horse’s conformation, temperament, and other characteristics.

Some breeders may choose to intentionally incorporate Paint horse bloodlines to create a unique and desirable coat pattern, while others may prioritize preserving the breed’s Arabian and Quarter horse roots.

They’re Very Strong!

We are talking about an incredibly strong and energetic type of horse too.

Quarab horses are typically between 14 and 16 hands high, which is approximately 56 to 64 inches.

These horses also have a strong, athletic build and are known for their muscularity.

They Have Great Stamina

Quarab horses are known for their endurance and stamina.

They can cover long distances without getting tired, which makes them ideal for endurance riding and trail riding.

This is due to the Arabian horse’s influence on the breed. Arabian horses are known for their ability to survive in harsh desert conditions and their stamina in covering long distances.

The Quarter horse, on the other hand, is known for its strength and agility, which is why the Quarab excels in so many different disciplines.

They’re Intelligent and Great at Multiple Disciplines

Quarabs perform excellently in different activities such as dressage, jumping, and western events like reining and cutting. This versatility makes them an excellent choice for riders of all skill levels and interests.

This breed is also well known for its intelligence — they can quickly learn new tasks, which makes them easy to train and handle.

They’re Kind and Loyal Animals

Quarabs are also very loyal and affectionate towards their owners.

They are often described as being “people-oriented” as they enjoy being around humans.

This trait can be attributed to the Quarter horse’s influence on the breed, as Quarter horses are known for their calm and docile nature.

All this makes them an excellent choice for a wide range of riders and equestrian activities.

Quarabs are suitable for both beginners and experienced riders, making them great company for families and children.

Additionally, they are suitable for trail riding, endurance riding, and even competitive events such as show jumping, dressage, and reining.

They’re Hardy and Relatively Easy to Take Care Of

When it comes to the care and management of Quarab horses, they require the same basic care as any other horse.

That means you need to provide them with a balanced diet, regular veterinary check-ups, and vaccinations, as well as frequent exercise.

Of course, you also need to groom them on a regular basis, so their coat and hooves remain in good condition. It’s not so hard to groom and maintain them, considering they have such short and fine coats.

They are also pretty hardy, which makes them less prone to health issues compared to other horse breeds.

There Are 3 Types of Quarabs We Know About

We recognize three types of Quarab horses — Stock, Straight or Foundation, and Pleasure. 

The Stock Quarab is a type mostly Western-riding breeders and ranchers have since it has multiple traits we usually see in one of the most popular breeds in the United States, Quarter horses. 

Straight/Foundation horses have characteristics that are almost equally influenced by stock horses and Arabian genetics.

The Pleasure type, on the other hand, exhibits a strong Arabian influence and less stock horse characteristics. That’s why endurance riders are the ones who will mostly choose these horses.

They’re Not Actually Recognized as a Breed Yet

Despite their popularity, Quarab horses are not yet recognized as a breed by any of the major breed registries, such as the American Quarter Horse Association or the Arabian Horse Association.

However, there are still certain organizations that specialize in registering and promoting this unique breed, such as the Italian Quarab Association and the Quarab Horse Association.

To be more precise, the International Quarab Horse Association was active until it ended up being shut down.

However, the Italian Quarab Horse Association is the one that does all the registration work with these horses across the globe.

The point of such organizations is to set standards and guidelines for these horses.

That way, they establish breeding programs to make sure their population grows and keeps its best characteristics.

They also hold events and shows specifically for Quarab horses, giving breeders and owners the opportunity to showcase their horses and compete against others of the same breed.

All the work these organizations have done promotes the Quarab breed and helps it to remain recognizable. 

Some Final Words

The Quarab horse is a unique and versatile breed that has gained popularity in recent years due to its beauty, endurance, and versatility.

They are the combination of Arabian and Quarter horse parents which gives them a unique appearance as well as the best qualities of both.

Since the Quarabs are renowned for their endurance and stamina, they are perfect for trail riding and endurance riding.

Many also recognize their versatility, which makes them an excellent choice for a wide range of riders and equestrian activities.

They’re intelligent and have a kind and gentle disposition, so you won’t have any bigger difficulties training and generally handling them.

Even though they are not yet recognized as a breed by any major breed registries, there are organizations that specialize in registering and promoting this beautiful breed.

Resources