text: quarter pony the quarter pony is a breed of pony that is similar to the american quarter horse . it stands up to 14 . 2 hands ( 58 inches , 147 cm ) high and was developed from american quarter horse foundation bloodstock . the breed was originally developed from quarter horses that did not meet the american quarter horse association 's height requirement . it is bred to look like a small quarter horse , although the various registries also allow crosses with other breeds , including paint horse , appaloosa and pony of the americas , all stock types . there are three registries for the quarter pony , all with slightly different registration requirements . the first registry was begun in 1964 , and two more were started in the 1970s . the breed is used today in a variety of western riding disciplines . characteristics the quarter pony is bred to be an american quarter horse built on a smaller scale . breeders focus most on the height and conformation of the breed , and insist that their ponies display quarter horse - type characteristics and stand between 11 . 2 and 14 . 2 hands ( 46 and 58 inches , 117 and 147 cm ) high . depending on the registry , the quarter pony may come in any color or combination or colors , including pinto patterns such as tobiano and overo and spotted appaloosa patterns . in the early years of the breed , only solid colors were allowed . the breed averages 13 . 2 hands ( 54 inches , 137 cm ) high , however , some breeders are working to breed taller animals between 13 . 2 and 14 hands ( 54 and 56 inches , 137 and 142 cm ) high . the breed has a short , broad head with small ears and wide - set eyes , set on a slightly arched neck . the shoulders are sloping , the withers sharp , the chest broad and deep . the back is short and the hindquarters broad and deep . quarter ponies are often used in western riding activities as mounts for children because of their small size , and calm , even temperament . larger ponies are more suitable for adult riders and sometimes used for rodeo events such as steer wrestling . the quarter pony is recognized by several different breed registries that each have different requirements . the american quarter pony association requires that , although parentage may be unknown , the pony must have conformation that is desirable for breeding and be easily recognizable as having quarter pony or quarter horse pinto , leopard complex ( appaloosa ) , and white horses are not eligible for registration , nor are gaited ponies . the national quarter pony association requires that stallions be registered with the aqha before they can be registered with the . mares must have one parent registered with the aqha , be registered with the aqha themselves , or go through a special registration process . geldings simply have to be of quarter horse type to be eligible for registration . horses with pinto or appaloosa markings , or with excessive white , are not eligible for registration . the international quarter pony association allows pinto and appaloosa markings , and simply requires that ponies be of quarter - type conformation and good disposition for registry . any type of pony meeting these requirements may be registered through the hardship registration program , which includes a special inspection . however , if ponies have a parent registered with an approved breed registry ( approved breeds include the quarter pony , quarter horse , paint horse , appaloosa and pony of the americas ) , they are automatically eligible for registration , with no inspection required . crosses with gaited breeds are not accepted for registration . history the quarter pony was originally developed from horses that did not meet the american quarter horse association 's original height requirement of 14 . 2 hands ( 58 inches , 147 cm ) high . this height requirement was later removed , but the quarter pony breed continued . breeders and registries encourage known bloodlines from quarter horses , but these are not required by all registries . the american quarter pony association was begun in 1964 with the ideals of a registry which would register small horses and ponies of western type , whose breeding could be unknown but which were desirable for breeding purposes . crossbred and purebred animals are eligible for registration , as are animals registered with other registries that meet the entry requirements . in 1975 , the national quarter pony association was begun to preserve the smaller , stockier type quarter horse when breeding trends were leaning towards taller , leaner animals . the now registers horses in several foreign countries , as well as all us states and canadian provinces . the international quarter pony association , begun in the 1970s , also registers quarter ponies , and is a worldwide association for ponies of quarter horse type . the quarter pony association is an association affiliated with the international quarter pony association , with the goal of promoting the quarter pony . in 2005 , the and the became one organization , with the acting as the registry and the as the membership branch . as of 2005 , there were an estimated 3 , 000 quarter ponies registered with all registering organizations . registries say that registrations of adult animals outnumber those for foals every year , as many owners wait until the pony is old enough to be shown under saddle before registering them .