If a Thoroughbred, an Arabian, and a Quarterhorse raced against each other, which horse would win?
A study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal (Supplement) set out to answer that very question.
The study compared speeds of these breeds as they accelerated from the starting gates and during the middle and end of races.
Video tapes of races were obtained from Mount Pleasant Meadows in Michigan for thirty-six days (about 400 races), and the winning horse was timed by give different raters. Fastest and slowest times were removed and the three remaining times averaged.
THE RESULTS
Quarter Horses achieved faster racing speeds than did the other breeds when timed from a standing start.
Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds even when Thoroughbreds were raced at a distance similar to Quarter Horse races.
Both breeds were substantially faster than Arabians.
Happy Riding!
Copyright October 19, 2017 Denise Cummins, PhD
THE RESULTS
Quarter Horses achieved faster racing speeds than did the other breeds when timed from a standing start.
Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds even when Thoroughbreds were raced at a distance similar to Quarter Horse races.
Both breeds were substantially faster than Arabians.
Happy Riding!
Copyright October 19, 2017 Denise Cummins, PhD