The Cutting horse is a principle breed of Canada. In the days of cattle ranching on horseback, these horses were in great demand. Nowadays they are popular for Cutting and Western riding competitions and for pleasure riding.
They are named after the technique of 'cutting'. This means singling out an animal and isolating it from the rest of the herd. The horse needs to be fast and agile - to be able to twist and turn at sharp angles, and at top speed - preventing the selected steer from returning to its herd.
Most cutting horses are derived from American Quarter horses, to which they are very similar.
APPEARANCE.
The Cutting horse has excellent confirmation for a ranch horse. Its shoulders are muscular and strong, with a short back and well developed hindquarters. These qualities enable it to move at great speed as it 'cuts' in and out of the herd.
HEIGHT.
15.2hh to 16.1hh.
COLOUR.
Usually black, brown or bay, but also most other solid colours (not skewbald or piebald).
PERSONALITY.
Cutting horses are intelligent and begin training from a young age. They are taught to respond to the slightest aids and so appear to work without their riders having to make any demands of them.
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