The Four Sixes Ranch has a distinguished history in breeding exceptional American Quarter Horses, a legacy built over more than a century. What began with Captain Burnett’s love for paint horses has evolved into a world-class equine operation, consistently producing horses renowned for their versatility, performance, and distinctive bloodlines. This deep-rooted commitment to equine excellence has shaped not only the ranch’s own remuda but has also left an indelible mark on the Western performance horse industry and ranching across the country.
Tracing the Ancestry: From Foundation to Future
The modern era of the Four Sixes horse program began in earnest in 1932 when George Humphreys took over as ranch manager. Recognizing the need to rebuild the herd, he strategically acquired 20 quality broodmares. The early years saw the introduction of influential stallions like Scooter, a gift that marked the beginning of a focused breeding effort. However, it was ranch-raised Hollywood Gold, born in 1940, who would become a prolific sire in the cutting industry, commanding top prices for breeding services and establishing a significant presence in the ranch’s lineage.
Humphreys’ 38-year tenure was marked by significant acquisitions and decisions. He invested in Cee Bars, a race-bred stallion, for $6,500. The offspring from Cee Bars, when bred to Four Sixes mares, quickly set records in both racing and cattle work. This success underscored the ranch’s commitment to developing horses with dual capabilities. In 1960, a formal decision was made to establish a dedicated equine breeding program, a move that has continuously evolved into today’s exceptional operations. Among the early stallions, Joe Hancock, Hollywood Gold, and Grey Badger II emerged as the most influential, their bloodlines forming the bedrock of the ranch’s breeding success.
Strategic Breeding for Performance and Ranch Work
In 1982, Glenn Blodgett, DVM, joined the Four Sixes as Horse Division Manager, tasked with intensifying the breeding management program. This included implementing artificial insemination for all ranch mares and investing in promising ranch stallions such as San Tip and Mr Rodeo Jack. A pivotal strategy involved breeding ten mares for three consecutive years to the legendary King Ranch stallion Peppy San Badger, affectionately known as “Little Peppy.” This initiative resulted in 30 foals and had a profound, lasting impact on the ranch’s breeding program. The influence of Little Peppy is undeniable, with his sons siring earners of over $121 million and his daughters contributing significantly to maternal lines in performance and ranch horses.
The acquisition of Tenino Badger in 1983, a son of Peppy San Badger, further solidified the ranch’s breeding direction. When crossed with the ranch’s matriarch mare, Natural, whose pedigree traced back to earlier influential stallions like Grey Badger II and Cee Bars, the resulting foal, Natural Pick, became one of the ranch’s most prized broodmares. This careful selection and strategic breeding continued, leading to the birth of Sixes Pick in 1998, who went on to become the American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) first World Champion Versatility Ranch Horse in 2008.
The early 1990s saw the introduction of Strait Silver, a gray stallion noted for his good mind and success across reining, roping, and barrel racing events. Although no daughters or granddaughters of Strait Silver remain on the ranch, geldings from his lineage are still valued for their temperament. Another significant addition was Be Aech Enterprise, whose son, Natural Enterprise, achieved notable success in reining competitions. The breeding of Natural Enterprise to the esteemed mare Natural produced exceptional offspring, benefiting the ranch for many years and continuing to influence its bloodlines through frozen semen.
Raising the Future: Innovation and Industry Impact
The Four Sixes Ranch was recognized with the prestigious AQHA Best Remuda Award in 1994, celebrating its outstanding working cow horses. Dr. Blodgett’s foresight regarding Tanquery Gin, leased in 1991, proved accurate. He described Tanquery Gin as producing an “ideal ranch horse,” predicting an impact comparable to legendary sires like Hollywood Gold and Cee Bars. Tanquery Gin’s stellar career, siring numerous money-earners and contributing significantly to the ranch’s breeding program, cemented his status as a cornerstone stallion.
In the summer of 1993, the Four Sixes expanded its services to the public, offering mare and stallion management, alongside artificial insemination. The stallion lineup featured Preferred Pay, Strait Silver, Tenino Badger, San Tip, and Tanquery Gin. The following year, the ranch stood three of the Quarter Horse industry’s most valuable stallions: Dash For Cash, Streakin Six, and Special Effort, each demanding the highest stud fees of the era and collectively earning approximately $80 million.
Today, the Four Sixes Horse Division, directed by veterinarian Nathan Canaday, DVM, boasts over 40 top Western performance and ranch Quarter Horse stallions. The program continues to leverage modern technology, including cooled and frozen semen, to extend its reach globally. A comprehensive line-up of veterinary services is also available to the public, reflecting the ranch’s commitment to advancing equine health and breeding. For over 100 years, Four Sixes Quarter Horses have been meticulously bred for cow sense, speed, gentleness, correct conformation, and aesthetic appeal. These horses are utilized on the ranch, trained for competition, and regularly featured in prestigious sales, underscoring their enduring legacy in the world of equine excellence.
