About AQHA

The American Quarter Horse Association, located in Amarillo, Texas, is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization.

family with blue roan mare and foal

Our Mission

To record and preserve the pedigree of the American Quarter Horse, while maintaining its welfare and integrity and promoting lifelong enjoyment of the breed.

Our Vision

To be the global champion for the American Quarter Horse and the unmatched equine industry leader.

Animal Welfare & Advocacy

Every American Quarter Horse shall, at all times, be treated humanely and with dignity, respect and compassion.

generic woman in show clothes and bay show horse (Credit: Kirstie Marie Photography for AQHA)

cowboy rides bay horse through pasture of cattle in New Mexico (Credit: Bee Silva)

America's Original Horsepower

The American Quarter Horse is one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses in the United States.

Today, with more than 6 million horses registered, the American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest equine breed registry, making the American Quarter Horse the world’s most popular horse breed.

History and Facts

The origins of the Quarter Horse can be traced to Colonial America, when our forefathers required ahorse sturdy enough to work all week, yet be fleet-of-foot for sprint races. The term “Quarter” refers to the distance, a quarter of a mile, most commonly run in Colonial racing, often on the main streets of small villages.

History found the Quarter Horse to be the right mount for cowboys and cattle drives, settling the American West. Today, you’ll find Quarter Horses excelling in rodeo and nearly every equine performance event.