The North American stock horse was bred to handle cattle on the open plains in all weathers. It needs to be extremely nimble and able to stop "on a dime" and accelerate to full speed in only one or two strides. These are horses with "cow sense," the ability to anticipate the behavior of cattle and to intervene when asked.
The Stock Horse is an immediately recognizable type, with small, "foxy" ears, a wedge-shaped head, low neck carriage and a well-muscled rear assembly to give it its instant acceleration and braking. These horses epitomize the American "Wild West" and as such are beloved the world over.