CKM Quarter Horses

09/08/2025

So much truth here…. 💜

❤️Letter from a breeder…❤️

Yesterday was a hard day. I loaded a horse onto a trailer. I kissed that horse's neck, just like the last million times, and told him to behave himself. Not that he was going someplace bad. I told him to behave because any decent horseman or woman will respect that quality and treat that horse well. I don't know if he will get that respect. But I know he will behave.

Yesterday, I touched a horse for the last time. He had only lived 28 days. I stayed with that baby during his very first 24 hours. I lifted him to his feet so that he could nurse. Every 20 minutes. His color changed from dark wet sleek to fluffy baby brown. And many days later, when he was much stronger on his spindly legs, in a big green field, another mare kicked him. So, I kissed his neck and told him to go run and play.

Yesterday, I watched a horse that we raised from afar in the Winner's Circle. I smiled as we became part of history. The world could see what that horse had done. And I had helped that horse for 2yrs..It was just one day, a few minutes really, but one of our best and I was proud. I couldn’t be there and said, "good boy".

Yesterday, I walked into the barn. I'm always the first person there. It's early but I don't mind because twenty pairs of eyes look at me eagerly and nicker to me with breathy voices. I kiss a few muzzles but not everyone tolerates the nonsense of a late breakfast, so I quickly get the grain. Their voices are music to my ears.

Yesterday I waited, my whole heart hurting as you layed there with bad colic…. I begged you not to leave me. When the vet finally showed up and said there nothing more could be done…immediately started grabbing needles and pulling blue liquid. I was his only helper and he instructed me through the din of my uncontrollable sobs. I held your head and told you that soon you wouldn't hurt anymore. I let go and then fell to my knees to lay across your neck.

There are pieces of my heart out there. And I don't know which goodbye is worse. When it's cold, I pray that you have enough hay to eat. I hope that someone cares enough to give you water and exercise and a pat on the neck. Does your leg bother you still? Do they rub liniment on it or ice it or is it completely healed? I still see you in the barn. I can still see you in a picture, but every day when I walk past your stall, there is another horse there. I will give my best to that baby too.

There are pieces of my heart out there. And the best goodbyes come with the knowledge that my horse still has a job and a home with horsemen and women who respect him.

So, you see…we raise horses…. each one will leave, and they take a piece of our heart. ♥️

Written by another breeder.

08/15/2025

Ok, so by “Equine Photography” standards, these are horrible pictures…. of the foal - I promise, she’s much nicer in person! 😂 Lol. But by “Candid Kid Picture that happen to show the foal’s temperament” standards, they’re pure gold. Lol. 💚
I love how Ryder’s smile shows how much he loves the horses…. And how much some of the foals seem to like him. 🥰
First 3 pics are with our Rem x Rio filly (spoken for and headed to Saskatchewan). Last one is my own keeper filly, Gunner x Lyric. 💚💜💜

08/11/2025

Got our girl, Pistol, home this afternoon! She has been with our friends at Riot Ranch Quarter Horses, with their stud, “Dunit Five Star” for a 2026 foal. She was bred later last season, and foaled on July 9, while at RR. At a month old, we are very happy with how this young man is growing and developing so far! He is sired by our Gunner.
He will be looking for a place to hang his weanling halter, sometime in the second half of November. Pm for more info, or to set up a time to come see him! 😊👍🏼
(Thanks Sheldon and Derek, for taking such good care of our girl and this handsome young lad! 😊👍🏼)

08/06/2025

Well then. 😂
I got a message from our friends at Leptich Equine Estates this afternoon. Our mare, Chey (AQHA “Alotta Smart Boon”), has been there this summer with their stallion, “Gold”. They don’t generally take outside mares, but this is a “between fellow breeders” type arrangement, as we have a couple of theirs with Rem this season too!
Chey was supposed to be open.
She preg checked open, and we are pretty sure we saw what we *thought* maybe looked like a sign of potentially first heat of the season, super early this spring. Even our vet thought she looked open this spring before she went to Leptich’s! Lol!
Then this! The BEST kind of surprise!!! 😂🤷🏼‍♀️
She had a sorrel filly, little or no white, sired by Gunner! He must have covered her right before we pulled him last season, and she was early enough to be missed in her preg check?! 😂😂
Staci thought she looked very pregnant the other day - but she was supposed to have been open! And I wondered at the pics she sent me the day she wondered about her, but because we were sure she was open, we assumed she was just fat, not feeding a foal this summer! Either way, we are thrilled about this extremely unanticipated arrival! 🥰
Chey will stay there to try to catch her on her foal heat, and then we will bring her - AND BABY(🤯😂) - home! I guess God has a sense of humour too…. 😂🤷🏼‍♀️💜
She will most likely be available, but being as young as she is, won’t be ready to wean until Christmas time, or the new year. Lol.

08/05/2025

I love this.
It’s so true.
Every. Last. Word. 💜

Dear Small Breeder…. I see you!
I see you pouring your heart and soul into those mares praying for a good heartbeat check.
I see you, missing family gatherings because a mare needs bred. Or one is about to foal.
I see you, sleepless nights hoping nothing goes wrong at foaling time.
I see you, crying because you lost a foal, mare or both.
I see you standing over that prize yearling, that just broke its leg.
I see you, struggling wondering which incentives to pay into. Because everyone wants them all paid into every incentive possible.
I see you, as you are saying goodbye to the old mare that started it all… wondering if you should keep going.
I see you, struggling on which mare to breed to which stallion to hopefully make someone’s super star!
I see you, smiling because it all went right this time!
I see you, smiling because someone called to tell you how much they love that foal you raised. And it is their heart horse!
Keeping going small breeder! Because without you, there are a lot of people missing out on that once in a life time horse.

Author : Forked Horn Ranch

For ever grateful for my horses and love when the owners keep in touch with me ❤️
This is an awesome picture of Cindy and her girl Rein❤️
They just had their first show❤️❤️
Rein is sired by Shiners Got Swagger and out of my daughter of Athena Puddycat ❤️

08/04/2025

This kid is still waiting for a place to hang his halter in the fall!

(VIDEO OF HALF BROTHER OUT OF DUCKY, IN COMMENTS…. That c**t only had 10 rides on him at the time of the video!)

Sired by RL Peptocats King (“Re*****on”, 14.3-15hh), and out of Skinidipn N Diamonds (“Ducky”, ~15.2hh). This c**t’s full brother was one of my favourites last season, and Re*****on x Ducky is becoming an annual cross around here - we like their foals that much. Ducky’s foals are very consistent - they are athletic, smart, and built right.
This guy is starting to get friendly - he is starting to follow me around while I’m taking pictures, and has let me scratch him a few times now. I’ve got no doubt that by weaning time, he will be quiet and friendly.
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
50% holds til weaning.
Contact for info or to set up a time to come see him! 😊👍🏼

07/30/2025

I took quite a few pictures this afternoon… still going thru them. But these two are my favourites… our son, with our stallion, Gunner.
Some people may cringe when they see this, because Gunner IS a stud, and Ryder is obviously a kid. But, what these pictures can’t show, is the Glorified Muffin, that is Gunner… like a massive Yellow Lab dog. 😂 He just has the calmest, gentlest, most lovey disposition, and has had, since he was a weanling himself. He has proven himself to be calm and respectful to work with, and be around… even with His Ladies close by. He is always level headed and sensible, preferring to be loved and adored, rather than acting like a hyped up moron. Lol.
Obviously, what we allow with Ryder and Gunner is closely monitored - Gunner IS still a stud, instinct is always a factor, and I am always within arms reach, watching any and all body language. I also am sure to take a few minutes to “get a read on the herd” before allowing Ryder out of the truck. But so far, Gunner hasn’t even considered being any more excitable than this, when Ryder is with me… he walks up nice and slow, with his head dropped down to Ryder’s level, and stops at a safe distance, asking Ryder to pet him and love him. And of course, Ryder is always happy to oblige. Lol.
This stallion has a large piece of my heart… and these pictures show us why. He is so so gentle and kind, even with children. Yes, he’s a well built horse, but his temperament is to die for… he is family. 💜💚