The Four Sixes Ranch is globally recognized not only for its historic Texas cattle operations but also for its exceptional breeding of American Quarter Horses. These horses are consistently ranked among the best in the breed, excelling in western performance and ranch work. The ranch is home to highly respected stallions and an elite broodmare band that produces top young prospects, many of which are sold at premier auctions both at the ranch and nationwide.
The ranch’s equine breeding program is directed by its resident veterinarian and Horse Division Manager, Nathan Canaday, DVM. This award-winning program has earned accolades such as the AQHA Best Remuda Award and recognition as an AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses, Race Money-Earners, and Race Winners. The Four Sixes has a proven track record of producing champion performance, race, and ranch horses for both its own operations and its clients.
American Quarter Horse from Four Sixes Ranch
The primary objective of the ranch’s breeding program is to develop the world’s finest ranch horse. For the Four Sixes, horses are an indispensable part of daily operations. They are crucial for tasks ranging from patrolling pastures and gathering cattle to sorting pairs during weaning and dragging calves to the branding fire. The ranch’s dedication to this goal is evident in its selection of breeding stock and the rigorous standards applied to its horses.
The ranch proudly stands some of the most sought-after stallions in the Quarter Horse industry. Leveraging modern technology, the ranch can cool, freeze, and ship semen to nearly any location worldwide, expanding the reach of its superior genetics. The ranch’s facilities are meticulously managed for horse production, encompassing fourteen pastures that total approximately 10,000 acres. These pastures are a mix of annual grain crops, improved grasses, and native rangeland, all cultivated to support the optimal development of their horses.
With its rolling hills and rugged, rocky terrain, the Four Sixes Ranch features expansive pastures. Gathering cattle across this challenging landscape is no easy feat and demands a skilled equine partner. Unlike many modern operations that rely on ATVs, the cowboys here continue to work cattle from horseback. This tradition, rooted in the ranch’s origins before the advent of four-wheelers, has solidified the necessity for exceptional cow horses. The Four Sixes has intentionally developed a breeding program that consistently delivers these highly capable animals, ensuring the continuation of their working methods.
The demands of the ranch’s operations necessitate a working partner that is sound, possesses strong legs and feet, and has a well-formed back and withers. Endurance is paramount, as these horses must carry a cowboy throughout a long day. Horses with ample stamina, smooth gaits, and sufficient speed are essential for efficiently completing a multitude of ranch chores. Equally important is “cow sense”—the innate ability to understand and react to cattle—which is critical for sorting, gathering, and moving livestock. Beyond these functional requirements, the team at Four Sixes also appreciates a visually appealing horse.
Longtime Four Sixes Ranch Employee Boots O’Neal commented on the quality of the horses, stating, “This is the best broke, big remuda of 75-100 saddle horses I have ever seen as far as every one of them.” He attributes this excellence to the ranch’s breeding practices, noting, “The ranch bred really good horses and selected their mares that go back several generations to this certain mare. She’s had good colts, and the guys kept them long before they had records like we have now. These are really good horses. I think that is bred in them. They are real cowy.” O’Neal further emphasized the ranch’s core values, adding, “They stress the value in good horses and good men.”
Ultimately, the winning combination at the Four Sixes Ranch is a synergistic blend of good cattle, good cowboys, and good horses. This philosophy underpins their entire operation and their commitment to producing superior equine athletes for both ranch work and performance disciplines.
