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Foundation Quarter Horse - We believe a foundation quarter horse is...
...of lineage descending from the founding horses.
Back when the American Quarter Horse Association was being 'founded', they sought out horses that fit what they wanted the association to represent. (Meaning they handpicked, looked at, examined and chose stock with the qualities they were looking for.) The all-around versatile horse; a horse that could do the job for his cowboy, whether it be working cows (sorting, penning, roping, cutting, reining) or riding the trail and fences.
Therefore...
We consider those first 27,000 horses which were visually inspected and added to the AQHA registry to be the “foundation” of the American Quarter Horse… so that’s where we start... those first five stud books and the 'founding' of the organization. Realizing that was the beginning of the breed, as we know it, helps us to understand more about the "Foundation American Quarter Horse" and using those pedigrees helps us to preserve those bloodlines. When the breed was being established, they were chosen by type, not bloodlines, so the 'founding horses' for the quarter horse breed did just that; they were the foundation, the standard, the guideline for the breed (regardless of their lineage).
We know that the AQHA has since allowed Thoroughbred bloodines, therefore when figuring the 'foundation percentage', it just means we are excluding Thoroughbred blood that was added after the Quarter Horse breed was founded / established in 1940.
You will see, as you research horses, that there are different 'foundation' registries or associations and each have their way of figuring the foundation percentage, and that depends on what they consider foundation. And in keeping with that thought, you will need to determine what you consider to be foundation.
For our calculations we consider the first 27,000 foundation and deduct the applicable percentage for any TB in pedigree since the founding in 1940. (For example Three Bars, a 1940 TB, would be counted against the foundation percentage. - And just for the record, he was an awesome horse!) So, if no TB blood was added since #27,000 / 1940 the calculation would still be 100%.
As you research 'foundation quarter horses' you will notice that the number of horses with high foundation percentage may not be as substantial as you originally thought. Few breeders have dilligently sought to preserve them and we hope to be a part of that effort. We know it will be worth it.
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