05/04/2026
🌟 Subscriber Q&A of the Week 🌟
Question: How do you choose which babies are keepers?
This is one of our favorite questions because deciding who stays is such an important part of building a strong, consistent program 👇
🐴 Foundation & Legacy
Our very first keepers were by our late stallion, A Tru Shot Of Rolex (“Stingray”).
• We wanted to preserve his bloodline within our program
• Keeping his daughters allows us to continue his legacy for generations
• Bonus: those girls are homozygous tobiano, a huge advantage for us as Paint breeders
These foundation decisions helped shape the direction of our entire program.
🐴 Conformation & Athletic Ability
Above all else, structure matters.
• Correct conformation is non-negotiable
• We look for balance, correctness, and overall build
• Natural athletic ability that supports performance potential
If they aren’t built right, nothing else can make up for it.
🐴 Mind & Disposition
A good mind is everything.
• Willing, trainable, and level-headed personalities
• Confidence without being overly reactive
• The kind of temperament that makes them enjoyable long-term partners
This plays a huge role in both trainability and future success.
🐴 Color & Genetics
While not the only factor, it does matter for our program goals.
• Homozygous tobiano is a big plus for consistency in color production
• Strong, predictable genetics that align with our breeding goals
We aim to balance beauty and ability.
🐴 Mare Power & Future Planning
We also think long-term when it comes to our mares.
• Keeping fillies out of mares nearing retirement
• Holding onto daughters from mares we absolutely love
• Building the next generation from proven crosses
This helps ensure continuity and growth within our program.
✨ Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, our keeper decisions come down to a balance of:
✔️ Structure
✔️ Mind
✔️ Ability
✔️ Genetics
✔️ Program goals
We apply these same standards when bringing in outside horses, but having the advantage of raising our own gives us a deeper understanding of each one from day one.
The goal is always to build a program of horses that are not only beautiful, but functional, trainable, and built to last.
