Not for high country

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32708, 10 September 1971, Page 16

Not for high country

While impressed with the quarter horses he had seen in the United States, Mr M. M. Chisholm, manager of the Lands and Survey Department’s Molesworth station, believes that they may not be the type of horse for use on the New Zealand back country they may be a bit too shortgaited for the distances that are covered here—and consequently New Zealand high country people will probably be better off with the sort of horses they are already using. Mr Chisholm found that quarter horses were used quite extensively for sporting purposes in roping of cattle and in cutting them off. He said that they were frequently used with cattle in the way that dogs were used with sheep in the show ring in this country. He said that anyone contemplating acquiring a quarter horse had to consider whether' what he wanted was a horse for racing, showing or for farm or station work. There were distinctive types of horses for each purpose. He had seen a stallion reputed to be worth $250,000 and several others worth about the $25,000 to $30,000 mark. There was quite an infusion of thoroughbred blood in these horses and he had heard it suggested, that even the stocky stationtype of animal required thoroughbred blood every third or fourth generation. They were very intelligent and quiet, said Mr Chisholm.