Wonderful Western Horses

One thing the Flood Auction has certainly brought to light is that there are many different breeds of horses out there - all perfect for the purpose for which they're bred!  There are definitely horses for courses - just to name a couple, beautiful Thoroughbreds are unquestionably the breed of choice for racing, while stunning and extravagant Warmbloods excel at Dressage, Jumping and Eventing - however, if you're looking for an extremely quiet natured, easy to ride and versatile horse, you cannot go past what are most commonly known as the 'Western' breeds - Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas. Horsezone's resident Western guru, Jo Johnson looks at what's on offer from the Western world in the Horsezone Stallion Service Auction.

The first time I really began to appreciate the truly wonderful temperament of these horses was almost 20 years ago at a rodeo.  Rodeos are extremely noisy with loud music, yelling crowds, gates banging, cattle bellowing and yet there amongst the chaos were all these Quarter Horses - calmly standing, tied to the roping box waiting patiently for their event.  I was astounded.  Were they drugged? Certainly not - they were just displaying the amazing temperament that western horses possess.  I was hooked from that moment on!

The real beauty of the western breeds is that even though they were originally used as stock horses, mainly working cattle for their keep, there are now so many different strains of each breed that can excel at any sport you choose, however, they all still possess that wonderful calm nature.  Of course, they still excel at cattle work and you wouldn't look any further than a western horse, with his athleticism and cat-like moves, if you were keen to take up Cutting. Quarter Horses are also now making their mark on the Campdrafting scene.

Stallions included in the flood auction who have impeccable breeding for cattle work include Quarter Horses Bullunbud Players Dandyboy, Sans Spinifex and Crown K Play N To Win; and Appaloosa/Sportaloosas Cayuse Chatta Lena and Cayuse Blizzard O Lena.  Although, even though these stallions are cutting bred, they all possess the great Western horse temperament and trainability, so their progeny could easily go onto success in many different discplines.

In addition to making brilliant cow ponies western horses excel at Reining, which requiring perfect precision and training, is known as the Dressage of the Western World.  if you're interested in breeding a Reiner, you couldn't go wrong with stallions in the auction who are proven performers Starbar Tassas Okie and Docs Gay Beaver.

Some of the more elevated and forward movers amongst the Western breeds can also hold their own in the traditional Dressage arena - including auction stallion Max O Roy (who is actually cutting bred, but is doing very well in Dressage). Sportaloosa/Appaloosa Yallawa Timeless Dream is a young stallion showing potential for breeding English type horses and then there's Knabstrupper, (the rare spotted Warmblood from Denmark) Lori's Flashpoint Af Lyn, who although not a Western breed as such, exhibits and should pass on plenty of colour as well as ability!  It is not unusual to see Appaloosas competing in dressage, showjumping or eventing around Australia and Quarter Horse crosses and Paints have been known to more than hold their own in jumping and eventing.

If you're looking for the fantastic Western horse temperament with a bit more 'bling' - Paint horses are for you!  Paint stallions included in the auction are Newstead Park Gold Rush, Hillbilly Bonfire, Colorite Cougar Boy

Western horses are brilliant as family mounts - people of all ages can confidently ride and handle them in all environments.

In addition to Reining and Cutting, western horses excel at Western Performance Shows.  They seem to be the only ones who have all the necessary qualities to excel in this demanding discpline, where a bomb proof temperament must be teamed with soft, slow legged movement, trainability and good looks to win.  A good western performance horse has to be able to stand up, pivot, trot and back up on command in hand in the Showmanship class, then go around in full English attire in the Hunter Under Saddle, be as educated as a dressage horse for the Hunt Seat Equitation, then come out in Western attire to compete in the Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Trail - all with the rider having minimal contact on their mouth. Western Performance requires that horses show impeccable manners, movement and education at all times and in all events.  A great western performance horse is the epitome of versatile and there are wonderful Western Performance horses across all Western breeds.

Best thing about Western horses? They're FUN! Yes, really fun! Whether you want to win at Western Showing, Cutting and Reining or simply breed a quiet natured horse to take mustering or trail riding or for the kids to ride at Pony Club, you cannot go past a Western bred horse!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL THE WONDERFUL WESTERN STALLIONS IN THE FLOOD AUCTION.

 

If you're keen to breed to one of the lovely Western horse stallions but don't have a mare, CLICK HERE to check out the listings of broodmares, amongst which there are some very nice Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas.