For over a century, the Four Sixes Ranch has been synonymous with the iconic Texas cattle operation and, crucially, with the production of elite American Quarter Horses. Renowned globally, the ranch consistently ranks among the best in the breed for horses suited for western performance and essential ranch work. This dedication to quality is evident in their carefully selected stallions and an exceptional broodmare band, which together produce promising young prospects marketed at premier auctions nationwide.
At the helm of this award-winning equine breeding program is Dr. Nathan Canaday, the ranch’s resident veterinarian and Horse Division Manager. Under his direction, the Four Sixes has earned accolades such as the AQHA Best Remuda Award and holds the distinction of being an AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses, Race Money-Earners, and Race Winners. This sustained success highlights the ranch’s ability to consistently produce champion performance, race, and ranch horses for both their own operations and their clients.
The overarching goal of the Four Sixes’ breeding program is to develop the world’s finest ranch horse. These horses are not mere recreational animals; they are indispensable partners in the ranch’s daily operations. From meticulously prowling pastures and expertly gathering cattle to sorting pairs during weaning and dragging calves to the fire at branding time, these equine athletes are integral to the ranch’s success.
The ranch proudly stands some of the most sought-after stallions in the Quarter Horse industry. Leveraging modern technology, the ranch facilitates the cooling, freezing, and worldwide shipment of semen, extending the reach of their superior genetics. The equine division is supported by an extensive infrastructure, comprising fourteen pastures totaling approximately 10,000 acres dedicated to annual grain crops, improved grasses, and native rangeland, all meticulously managed to support optimal horse production.
The Four Sixes’ pastures, characterized by rolling hills and rugged, rocky terrain, are intentionally expansive to mimic natural grazing conditions. This challenging landscape necessitates exceptional equine partners, as gathering cattle is a demanding task. Unlike contemporary methods that often employ ATVs, the cowboys at the Four Sixes rely on their skilled horses, a tradition rooted in the ranch’s early days before such machinery existed. This long-standing necessity has cultivated a breeding program focused on producing versatile and capable cow horses.
The demands of the ranch’s operations require working partners that are sound, possess strong legs and feet, and have robust backs and Withers for endurance. Horses must possess the stamina to carry a cowboy throughout a long day, exhibit smooth gaits, and offer sufficient speed for various ranch chores. Beyond these physical attributes, “cow sense”—the innate ability to understand and work with cattle—is paramount for sorting, gathering, and moving livestock effectively. And, of course, the aesthetic appeal of riding a good-looking horse is an appreciated bonus.
Longtime Four Sixes Ranch Employee Boots O’Neal remarked on the exceptional quality of the ranch’s 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 consistent quality to a deliberate breeding strategy, focusing on mares with lineage tracing back to a specific, highly productive mare over generations. Even before modern record-keeping, these effective horses were identified and retained, with their inherent qualities being passed down. O’Neal emphasizes that this excellence is deeply ingrained, noting, “They are real cowy… They stress the value in good horses and good men.”
Ultimately, the enduring success of the Four Sixes Ranch is built upon a winning combination: superior cattle, skilled cowboys, and, fundamentally, exceptional horses.
