Table 1.

Primary characteristics of the 6 performance groups of the QH evaluated in the study as described by the American Quarter Horse Association

Performance type	Characteristics
Halter	Horses are led before judges so that lameness and quality of movement can be evaluated. Horses are judged on conformation including balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics, and degree of muscling.
Western pleasure	Horses are evaluated on quality of movement under saddle at the walk, jog, and lope, while staying quiet and calm, travelling on a loose rein.
Reining	Judges the horse on movements under saddle, mastery of a prescribed maneuver and attitute as he is guided through a specific pattern. The horse is required to perform stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes, and circles at a lope.
Working cow (reined cow horse)	Combines reining ability and cow sense. The competition consists of 2 parts: Prescribed reined work and actual cow work. Judging is based on good manners, smoothness, cow sense, and ease of reining.
Cutting	Horse and rider must move quietly into a herd of cattle, cut 1 cow from the herd, drive it to the center of the arena, and “hold” it away from the herd. The horse is scored on its ability to keep the cow from returning to the herd, cow sense, attentiveness, and courage.
Racing	Horses race against one another at distances between 220 and 870 yards. The classic distance is 440 yards (1/4 mile).