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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Racing speeds of quarter horses, thoroughbreds and Arabians.
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 128-132; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05528.x

Racing speeds of quarter horses, thoroughbreds and Arabians.

Abstract: While Quarter Horses are recognised as the fastest breed of horse, direct comparisons to race times with other breeds can be misleading. Quarter Horse races begin when the starting gates open. Thoroughbred and Arabian races begin a short distance from the gates after horses have started running. This study compared speeds of these breeds as they accelerate from the starting gates and during the middle and end of races. Objective: To compare racing speeds of the 3 breeds, and to compare speeds during various segments of the races. Methods: Video tapes of races were obtained from a local track. The various race segments were viewed and the winning horse timed by 5 individuals. Fastest and slowest times were removed and the 3 remaining times averaged. Results: Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds even when Thoroughbreds were raced at a distance (402 m) similar to Quarter Horse races. Both breeds were substantially faster than Arabians. Quarter Horses racing 336 m or less gained speed in each segment of the race while Arabians and Thoroughbreds racing 1006 m ran fastest during the middle of the race and had decreased their speed in the final segment of the race. Conclusions: Despite similar race times reported for 402 m, Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds when timed from a standing start. In short races, both breeds accelerate throughout the race. Arabians, despite being known for endurance, had slowed by the end of the race. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that Quarter Horses achieve faster racing speeds than do other breeds. It also reveals a potential flaw in race-riding strategy as a more consistent pace throughout the Arabian and longer Thoroughbred races may be more efficient and result in a faster overall race time.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402407DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05528.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research compares the racing speeds of three breeds of horses – Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Arabians – in different segments of the race. The study findings reveal that Quarter Horses are faster than the other two breeds, and there may be a flaw in race-riding strategy, particularly within Arabian and longer Thoroughbred races.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The main goal of this research was to compare racing speeds of three horse breeds – Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Specifically, the study aims to examine their racing speeds as they start, during the middle and towards the end of the races.
  • The researchers used video tapes of horse races obtained from a local racetrack. In their assessment, they viewed each race segment, timing the winning horse.
  • To ensure reliable results, five individuals were tasked to time the winning horse. The fastest and slowest times were discarded, and the three remaining times were averaged to offer a balanced study outcome.

Research Findings

  • The study found that Quarter Horses have an average faster speed than Thoroughbreds, even when the latter raced at a 402 m distance, similar to Quarter Horse races.
  • Both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds were significantly faster than Arabian horses.
  • The research also found that Quarter Horses racing 336 m or less gained speed in each segment of the race, while Thoroughbreds and Arabians racing 1006 m ran fastest in the middle segment, and their speed dropped in the final segment of the race.

Conclusions and Implications

  • From a standing start, Quarter Horses demonstrated faster speeds than Thoroughbreds, despite the reported similar race times for 402 m races.
  • In shorter races, both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds continually accelerated throughout the race. However, Arabian horses, which are known for their endurance, slowed down towards the end of the race.
  • The research calls attention to a potential flaw in race-riding strategies for Arabian and Thoroughbreds competing in longer races. Maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race could be more efficient, potentially leading to faster overall race times.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen BD, Turner KK, Ventura BA, Woodward AD, O'Connor CI. (2007). Racing speeds of quarter horses, thoroughbreds and Arabians. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 128-132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05528.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 128-132

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, B D
  • Michigan State University, 1287Anthony Hall, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Turner, K K
    Ventura, B A
      Woodward, A D
        O'Connor, C I

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Breeding
          • Horses / genetics
          • Horses / physiology
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Running / physiology
          • Sports
          • Time Factors
          • Video Recording

          Citations

          This article has been cited 7 times.
          1. Vergara-Hernandez FB, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Fabus TA, Kompare JL, LeCompte Lazić RA, Colbath AC. Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing. Transl Anim Sci 2022 Jan;6(1):txab233.
            doi: 10.1093/tas/txab233pubmed: 35198858google scholar: lookup
          2. Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Bąska P, Czopowicz M, Żmigrodzka M, Szarska E, Szczepaniak J, Nowak Z, Winnicka A, Cywińska A. Anti-Inflammatory State in Arabian Horses Introduced to the Endurance Training. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 27;9(9).
            doi: 10.3390/ani9090616pubmed: 31462005google scholar: lookup
          3. Pereira GL, Malheiros JM, Ospina AMT, Chardulo LAL, Curi RA. Exome sequencing in genomic regions related to racing performance of Quarter Horses. J Appl Genet 2019 Feb;60(1):79-86.
            doi: 10.1007/s13353-019-00483-1pubmed: 30666567google scholar: lookup
          4. Shave R, Howatson G, Dickson D, Young L. Exercise-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Lessons from Humans, Horses, and Dogs. Vet Sci 2017 Feb 12;4(1).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci4010009pubmed: 29056668google scholar: lookup
          5. Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. Jockey Falls, Injuries, and Fatalities Associated With Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing in California, 2007-2011. Orthop J Sports Med 2013 Jan-Jun;1(1):2325967113492625.
            doi: 10.1177/2325967113492625pubmed: 26535231google scholar: lookup
          6. van den Hoven R, Gür E, Schlamanig M, Hofer M, Onmaz AC, Steinborn R. Putative regulation mechanism for the MSTN gene by a CpG island generated by the SINE marker Ins227bp. BMC Vet Res 2015 Jun 23;11:138.
            doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0428-3pubmed: 26100061google scholar: lookup
          7. Crook TC, Cruickshank SE, McGowan CM, Stubbs N, Wilson AM, Hodson-Tole E, Payne RC. A comparison of the moment arms of pelvic limb muscles in horses bred for acceleration (Quarter Horse) and endurance (Arab). J Anat 2010 Jul;217(1):26-37.
            doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01241.xpubmed: 20492428google scholar: lookup
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