The quarters — also called the hindquarters — are the rear portion of the horse’s body, encompassing the hind limbs, hips, pelvis, and the large muscle groups of the hindquarters. They are the horse’s primary engine: the source of power, impulsion, and collection in ridden work. Understanding the quarters is fundamental to both ridden training and assessing a horse’s soundness and conformation.
Anatomy of the Quarters
The quarters are formed by the pelvis and the large muscle groups that attach to it and to the hindlimbs. Key structures include the hip joint (where the femur meets the pelvis), the stifle (the equivalent of the human knee), the hock (equivalent to the human ankle), and the cannon bone and pastern below. The entire structure, from the angle of the pelvis to the position of the hocks, determines how effectively the horse can engage its hindquarters and carry weight.
The gluteal muscles — the large, rounded muscles visible across the top of the hindquarters — are responsible for hip extension and contribute significantly to the propulsive phase of each stride. Well-developed, symmetrical gluteal muscles are a hallmark of a fit, correctly worked horse.
Why the Quarters Matter in Training
All engagement and collection begins in the quarters. When a rider asks for more impulsion, shoulder-in, half-pass, or a collected canter, they are essentially asking the horse to engage its hindquarters more actively — to step further under the body with its hind legs and carry more of the combined weight of horse and rider from behind rather than relying on the forehand.
A horse that works correctly over its back and through from behind will develop prominent, well-muscled quarters over time. Conversely, a horse that is consistently ridden ‘front to back’ — driven forward from the leg onto a fixed hand without genuine hindquarter engagement — tends to develop a ewe neck and weak back musculature, with underdeveloped quarters relative to its shoulder and neck.
Conformation of the Quarters
From behind, the quarters should appear broad, symmetrical, and well-muscled. The hip bones (points of hip) should be level. A horse with one hip lower than the other may have had a past injury to the pelvis — a ‘knocked-down hip’ resulting from a fall or impact — or may be showing asymmetrical muscle development from one-sided work or a low-grade hind limb issue.
From the side, the angle of the group (the topline from the croup to the dock) varies by breed. A flat croup is considered desirable in some disciplines for its association with a long, sweeping hindlimb action. A more sloping or ‘goose rump’ conformation produces a different hind limb engagement. The hocks should be well-angled — neither too straight (post-legged) nor too angular (sickle-hocked) — and should track squarely under the body.
Turning on the Quarters
A turn on the haunches (also called a turn on the quarters) is a movement in which the horse pivots around its hindquarters while keeping the hind feet relatively stationary. The forehand moves around while the inside hind leg lifts and places itself in the same spot (or very close to it) with each step. This movement demands strength and balance from the hindquarters and is foundational in both dressage and Western riding.
In Western riding, the spin — a rapid turn on the haunches — is a centrepiece of reining competition. In dressage, the pirouette at canter is its high-school equivalent, asking the horse to canter in the smallest possible circle while the hind legs remain active and engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a horse ‘crosses’ its quarters?
A horse that swings its quarters left or right during transitions, lateral work, or on a straight line is losing control of its hindquarters — the quarters are escaping rather than working actively under the body. This is sometimes called ‘quarters in’ or ‘quarters out’ depending on the direction. It typically signals weakness, evasion, or poor rider positioning, and is corrected through straightening work, poles, and exercises that encourage the horse to step squarely under itself.
How can I build my horse’s hindquarter strength?
Hillwork, polework, transitions, and progressive lateral work are among the most effective tools for developing hindquarter strength. Trot poles ridden at a steady rhythm encourage the horse to step under and flex each hind limb joint with effort. Hill work — particularly walking uphill — builds the gluteal and hamstring muscles significantly. Lateral movements such as leg yield and shoulder-in begin to engage the quarters in a more nuanced way. All of this should be built gradually, as muscles require recovery time to strengthen safely.
Can a horse with a pelvic asymmetry compete normally?
It depends on the cause and degree of asymmetry. A minor knocked-down hip from an old injury with no associated pain or lameness is often purely cosmetic and has no effect on performance. A fresh or painful pelvic injury requires veterinary assessment before work continues. Horses with significant sacroiliac dysfunction — a common source of hindquarter weakness and poor performance — may require treatment from a veterinary specialist before returning to full work.