quarter horse

noun

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of quarter horse

: any of a breed of compact muscular saddle horses developed in the U.S. and characterized by great endurance and by high speed for short distances

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Recent Examples of quarter horse from the Web

Another then-high profile case investigated by Taylor regarded two men who shared ownership of a prized quarter horse.

— vanesa brashier, Houston Chronicle, "Texas Rangers, state troopers gather in Cleveland for annual reunion," 1 Apr. 2018
Hialeah continued in recent years with quarter horse racing and a casino.

— CBS News, "John Brunetti, Hialeah Park owner and horse breeder, dead at 87," 3 Mar. 2018
Jewel is a granddaughter of Dash Ta Fame, a famous barrel racing quarter horse stallion.

— brett hoffman, star-telegram, "Rodeo: Barrel racer, 18, wins Cowboys of Color title | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 15 Jan. 2018
Lily, an American quarter horse, stands in her stall, ears forward as a stranger approaches.

— wes swietek, The Seattle Times, "Bowling Green woman provides shelter for blind rescue horses," 25 Dec. 2017
Morgan's chestnut quarter horse and Jenna's overo paint were still and solid as rocks.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Speed, Precision, Athleticism On Display At Brooklyn Fair Gymkhana," 5 Sep. 2017
Last year, the Journal Sentinel reported that the Sheriff's Office had signed contracts to lease at least two horses — a Percheron quarter horse named Hero and a Clydesdale named Titan.

— daniel bice, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Whoa: New Milwaukee County sheriff puts David Clarke's horse patrol out to pasture," 10 Oct. 2017
Two appaloosas, a quarter horse, a Clydesdale, a Belgian, an American paint, a ghost paint, two off track thoroughbreds, three miniature horses, one Shetland pony, and Don Quixote, the donkey, round out the mix.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Working Small Miracles At Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quarter horse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.