Stud Horses, New Foals, and a Bittersweet Trailer Ride to Michigan
This time of year my mind always starts drifting toward breeding season.
It won’t be long before the fillies start coming into heat and the seasoned mares begin foaling. When that happens, conversations around here quickly turn toward stud horses, bloodlines, and the crosses that will shape the next group of foals.
Choosing the right stallion is never something I take lightly. Every breeding decision plays a role in the long-term goal of our program: raising versatile Quarter Horses with the minds and ability to go on and succeed whether that’s in roping, working cowhorse events, barrel racing, or simply being dependable ranch horses.
And if they come with a little color, that doesn’t hurt either.
Our Quarter Horse Breeding Program
Our breeding program starts with the mares.
I love that our mares are smart, personable, and bred really well. They move well, have speed when you need it, and they all share something I value a lot: their colts are easy to start. None of the colts we’ve raised out of them have been hard to break out. No bucking fits. No drama. Just horses that are willing to learn.
They have cow sense, athletic ability, and quick feet, with the kind of minds that make them enjoyable to work with. Conformation matters to me too. I always try to pick mares that are built right, move well, and come from strong bloodlines.
When you start with a good group of mares, it makes choosing the right stallion even more important.
What I Look For in a Stud Horse
When I’m researching stallions, I look at several things.
Performance record matters, but I also want to see what kind of offspring the stallion is producing. I prefer studs that are enrolled in incentives as well, because that adds marketability to the foals we raise.
Beyond the pedigree and paperwork, I want a stallion that has a good mind, soundness, and heart. A horse that is trainable and built right.
Those traits matter just as much as the name on the papers.
Some Crosses We’re Excited About
There are a few mares we are breeding back the same way to a High Rolling Roany stud because that cross has worked well for us.
But this year we are also adding some exciting new stallions to the mix.
One of those is Oz Ona Hotstreak (“Oz”), an own son of A Streak of Fling and out of a One Hot Jose mare. Oz is an NFR team roping horse ridden by Lane Mitchell and has been excelling in the team roping industry. Watching him perform on The Cowboy Channel is always impressive.
We are also breeding to RN Highbrow Lena (“Romeo”), an own son of High Brow Cat. Romeo is a versatile horse that can do it all — barrels, cutting, and ranch work — and he is already passing that ability on to his foals.
Another cross we are especially excited about is Streakin Lil Wayne (“Lil Wayne”), an own son of A Streak of Fling and out of an Our Hush Money mare. Lil Wayne is owned by Tricia Aldridge and is currently being run by a talented young rider named Bailey.
It will be exciting to see what these crosses produce in the coming years.
The Work Behind the Scenes
Choosing stallions takes time.
The past several weeks have included plenty of phone calls to vets, stallion owners, and competitors. There has also been a lot of time spent researching bloodlines through the Quarter Horse Journal, stallion websites, Facebook pages, and incentive programs.
Semen has already been purchased so everything is ready when breeding season arrives.
Choosing a stud is exciting, but it can also be nerve-racking. Breeding decisions are expensive, and they aren’t something to rush.
At the end of the day though, researching horses is something we genuinely enjoy. Around here, studying bloodlines and watching performance horses compete is actually how we relax.
The Bittersweet Side of Raising Colts
While all this breeding planning has been going on, we also experienced one of the bittersweet parts of raising horses.
Recently, a gelding I raised loaded onto a trailer headed north to Michigan.
He was the first AI baby out of Dandy Cat, which made him extra special to me.
Watching them load up and pull away is never easy when you’ve raised them from the beginning. From the moment they’re born, you watch them grow, learn, and develop their personalities.
But that moment is also one of the most rewarding parts of raising horses.
Because it means they’re heading off to start their next chapter.
Thank You, Lisa
This gelding found a great home with Lisa K. from Michigan, and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity he has ahead of him.
She has already started clicker training him and is considering using him in working cowhorse events, which is exactly the kind of direction we love to see our horses go.
It’s always rewarding to see horses raised here go on to people who are excited about them and willing to invest time into their future.
Lisa, thank you for giving him such a great opportunity.
The Full Circle of Breeding
Moments like that remind me why breeding decisions matter so much.
Every stallion choice, every cross, and every hour spent researching bloodlines eventually leads to a foal hitting the ground… and someday loading onto someone’s trailer to begin their future.
That’s the full circle of raising horses.
And honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Horses Occasionally Available
From time to time we do have Quarter Horses for sale, including young prospects that come out of our breeding program. Our goal is always to raise horses with the mind and ability to go on and succeed in roping, working cowhorse events, barrel racing, or everyday ranch work.
If you’re looking for a well-bred horse with a solid start, feel free to reach out to visit. As I revamp the website, I will eventually be adding a For Sale page, but for now, a quick text or phone call is always welcomed.
We’d Love to Hear From You
For those of you who breed horses or follow breeding programs:
What is one trait you refuse to compromise on when choosing a stallion?
Mind? Athletic ability? Proven offspring?
I always enjoy hearing how other breeders think through their decisions.
