All members of the horse family feed predominantly on various grasses. Grasses in the Karoo and southern Free State where Quaggas occurred, are sparse. Wild grass eating animals such as the Quagga were perceived by the settlers as competitors for their sheep, goats and other livestock.

Much has been written about the reasons for the extinction of the Quagga; it is generally attributed to the "ruthless hunting", and even "planned extermination" by colonists.

It’s flesh is said to have been welcome food for the farm labourers, while the skin was used as "grainbags" and "leather". Great numbers of raw animal hides were exported during the 19th century for the leather industry. South Africa was known as a "hunters paradise".

Books such as "Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa" (Harris, 1840), provide evidence of large scale killing of wild animals, done not only by the settlers, but also by those privileged to journey to the Cape of Good Hope to satisfy their lust for hunting.

Such large scale hunting in South Africa during the 19th century, has drastically reduced the one time abundance of wild life, resulting in the disappearance of some species in certain areas.

However, the perception that the Quagga was singled out for extermination does not seem to be supported by other historical evidence.