Quarter Horse vs Thoroughbred
Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Quarter Horse | Thoroughbred | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | England, 17th–18th century |
| Size | 14–16 hands · 950–1,200 lb | 15.2–17 hands · 1,000–1,300 lb |
| Lifespan | 25–30 years | 25–28 years |
| Build | Compact, heavily muscled | Tall, lean, deep-chested |
| Temperament | Calm, willing, steady | Sensitive, bold, forward |
| Best fit | Western, trail, first horses | Jumping, eventing, pros |
| Energy | ●●●●● Quick when asked, then quiet | ●●●●● Hot, forward, fit |
| Trainability | ●●●●● Willing and sensible | ●●●●● Learns fast, needs tact |
| Upkeep | ●●●●● Easy keeper | ●●●●● Hard keeper, thin soles |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Classic first horse | ●●●●● Needs a confident rider |
| Observed price | $5,000 median (8653 prices) | $3,850 median (1490 prices) |
How they differ
- Energy: the Thoroughbred rates higher than the Quarter Horse (5 of 5 vs 3).
- Trainability: the Quarter Horse rates higher than the Thoroughbred (5 of 5 vs 4).
- Upkeep: the Thoroughbred rates higher than the Quarter Horse (4 of 5 vs 2).
- Beginner fit: the Quarter Horse rates higher than the Thoroughbred (5 of 5 vs 2).
The Quarter Horse
America’s stock horse, bred to sprint a quarter mile and to work cattle all day. That gives a compact, muscular horse with a quiet mind and quick feet, suited to ranch work, western sports, trails and first-time owners.
Easy keepers put on weight fast, and some bloodlines carry serious inherited diseases. The five-panel genetic test is the single most useful document when buying one.
The Thoroughbred
The racehorse, bred in England from Arabian, Barb and Turkoman stallions for speed over distance. Off the track it becomes an eventer, jumper or hunter, bold and athletic but often sensitive and quick to react.
Many Thoroughbreds are hard keepers with thin-soled feet, and ex-racehorses need months of retraining. Ulcers, old track injuries and a sensitive nature are common issues to plan around.
Questions
Is a Quarter Horse or a Thoroughbred better for a beginner?
The Quarter Horse rates higher for beginners (5 of 5 vs 2). Quarter Horse: Classic first horse. Thoroughbred: Needs a confident rider.
What is the main difference between a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred?
Easy keepers put on weight fast, and some bloodlines carry serious inherited diseases. The five-panel genetic test is the single most useful document when buying one. By contrast, many Thoroughbreds are hard keepers with thin-soled feet, and ex-racehorses need months of retraining. Ulcers, old track injuries and a sensitive nature are common issues to plan around.
Which costs more, a Quarter Horse or a Thoroughbred?
On the prices we observed, the Quarter Horse median is $5,000 (8653 prices) and the Thoroughbred median is $3,850 (1490 prices).