Wakara's Gold Foundation stallion reg.F-1(foundation-#1)

The Ranchero Stock Horse The horse that won a Nation ..... and a Nation forgot ...

Brief History:

The Ranchero Stock horse is a breed as old as time itself. They developed in
the Iberian Peninsula during the last year of the Moorish invasion, when
Columbus discovered the Caribbean and an Italian named Americus discovered
the New World. As horses in Spain and Portugal began to deplete in alarming
numbers - America now had the horses of Spain. They were originally 14.2-15
hands tall, with broad backs and wide chests. Their courage and athletic
ability was that of legend. By the mid 1800's most of these horses were
either bred out or degenerated. The US government made several attempts to
breed out this horse. To make the Natives into farmers most were shot and
killed during the "Indian war" and some mares were saved to breed to
Percheron stallions. During the re-mount program of the last World War free
TB stallions were offered to place on "native" mares. Breeders in modern
western stock horse registries made their fame and fortune on this cross:
Hank Weiscamp, Coke Roberds, and Peavy just to name a few; gave credit to
the Spanish blood in their herds.

This mare shows the knoched ears, subconvex head and slanted eyes that are breed standards.

Time passed, fewer and fewer of the true old world Iberian horses still
remained. Some men tried to gather what they could find and named them
"Spanish Mustang" "Spanish Barb" etc. It didn't matter much as the true
breed type that had flourished and added to every North American breed of
horse had changed. They now were small, standing an average of 13 hands.
Their body type had changed drastically as well.

9mth old Diamond Willow.A bay with the dun factor.

In 1989 a remote herd of horses was found in Utah. They had the history and
the blood type so many others had claimed over the years. This was the
Sulphur Mountain Home Range herd. Ron Roubidoux ,who worked for the UT fish
and game, took an interest in this herd. He employed the help of Gus Cothran
from the UN, of KY, as well as Phil Spondenburg , a noted equine specialist
from the Univ. of VA. Dr. Cothran helped Ron pick out horses that " have the
highest percentage of New World Iberian markers of any feral herd tested to
date." Dr. Spondenburg traveled from Virginia to Utah to help Ron hand pick
a breeding herd that best resembled the true Spanish type. With this done,
Ron petitioned congress for special herd protection, it was granted.

A Distant Coyote at 1yr. Stallion Prospect.Red Dun

In 1991 One Sky Ranch was researching the foundation AQHA lines. The
research brought ranch owner Jauson King to Ron Roubidoux. Ron sold One Sky
Ranch, one stallion ,and one mare to add to the already existing Colonial
Spanish herd. Due to bad politics and hard feelings in other registries, Ron
made the decision to sell out his herd of North end Sulphur horses. These
were purchased by One Sky Ranch. The stallion was passed over because of the
high percentage of his blood already in that herd. It was in Iowa with Ron's
blessing in 1994 that One Sky Ranch began the difficult and expensive
process of breeding and culling for the original "Old World Iberian horse."
"If the genes were in there I will find them". Within one generation One Sky
Ranch had the size from 13.hands to 14.2 or better, with no loss of type. In
3 generations OSR had a consistency in the breed over all. The horse that
was bred out and degenerated, that had been the glory of Spain, is once
again coming to life through selective breeding at One Sky Ranch.

Spanish Jewel, a Wakara daughter

Size: 14.2 - 15 hands

Temperament:

Selectively bred for thoughtfulness and intelligence. The Ranchero Stock
Horse would make an exceptional children's mount if not for their athletic
ability to maneuver extremely fast and at sharp angles.The Ranchero Stock
Horse can also jump from a stand still like a mule. Most can clear 5' from a
start of no more than a few feet. Give them a running start and there is no
fence too high. Keeping good pasture is a must. If taught to move slower
they are fantastic horses for the first time buyer or children. Stallions
rarely need to be gelded for any reason other than birth control. Every
stallion in this breed handles well in hand with no aggression . They
respect their handlers and often are mistaken for geldings.

The head of a 3yr mare showing the cobwebbing typical of all RSHA in all colors. The cob webs will develop as this mare ages.

Color: 80% Dun factor. Claybanks (red duns), Zebra Duns, bays with dorsal stripe and barring on legs, also an occasional grulla. The remainder of these horses that are solid in color are: Seal brown, chocolate, liver, and bays . There are no dilutes, such as palomino, or buckskin. There are no Paints or Appaloosas that have emerged thus far.

The long knoched ears of the RSHA.

A unique trait of the Ranchero Stock horse is that he resembles the mule.
His pasterns are straight, yet his gait is not short or choppy. His ears
long with a "smart bone". He has 5 vertebra like the Ass and the Zebra. He
is occasionally gaited. His eyes are placed in his head to see all four
feet, as are the mules and are also slanted. The mane and tail hairs appear
crimped as the mules tend to be. They appear to hang strait and soft, but a
closer examination will show each strand crimped. The hoof is convex, hoof
wall hard. Every trait of the mule or "Iberian Factor" is present. Food and
water are also stored in the neck like the ass and mule. The Ranchero Stock
Horse also has a bit of cartilage in his chest like that of a sheep or a
mule that potrudes forward and can be felt in palpation but rarely seen with
the eye. This appears in second generation and on to one degree or another.

Pasterns are clean, and appear as if they were trimmed . In winter they have a tuff just at the ergot.

Disease resistance:

They should not be vaccinated for anything but tetanus. This includes West
Nile. Horses that have been exposed to West Nile have swollen lymph glands,
( generally foals of that year), then after several months the swelling goes
down. They never show any other signs of exposure. EIA or "coggins" is
another worry the Ranchero Stock Horse owner will not have to bear. RSHA
horses are immune; however, some individuals will test on the line with some
tests. A second test from the Univ. of OK is needed to save the healthy
horse. Shoes are another expense and worry the Ranchero Stock Horse saves
his owner . With a 3/4 inch hoof wall and a convex hoof, the horses need to
be trimmed but never cutting to his hoof with a knife. He will travel miles
on any terrain and remain sound with good conditioning.

2mth old Alhajo, clipped in typical Iberian fashion, shows the extinctive zebra markings so common in this breed.Alhajo has 3 shoulder bars on each side and already has extensive facial cob-webbing.

Life Span:

The Ranchero Stock Horse matures very slowly as do all Iberian breeds. The
benefits are in the end. They live and produce well into their 30's. They
should not be placed under saddle earlier than the fall of their second year
or as 3yr olds. Waiting until 4 is common, but never 5.

3mth of filly,Capricha.

General Health problems or draw backs to the breed:

There are no known health problems related to this breed. Their foals are
born rather small, and gain weight rapidly. Stallions are often fertile at
one year. Inbreeding is the only problem we in the RSHA have to work very
hard to avoid.

This bay,with dorsal stripe shows the typical striping that appears all over the body in all colors.

Membership is free:

This breed needs dedicated people whether they own horses or not. The only
thing you have to do is contribute your talents and time to this rare and
wonderful treasure.

A seal brown colt Ceilo ( lovingly called Jack)

Registration:

Stallions: 250.00 (regardless of age), the reason for this is too many
breeders want to hold on to everything. Their attitude is this is a rare
breed so lets make some money on stallion fees. The RSHA is a breed registry
that was founded on selection. Only the very best will be held for breeding.
It is the opinion of the RSHA that if owners have to pay such a high price
for their registrations they will truly believe in the horse itself, and its
ability to contribute to the breed as a whole.

(All stallion prospects are subject to inspection and could be rejected. If
rejection happens all funds will be returned to the applicant, except for a
50.00 examination fee. (This assures that breeders don't waste our time).

Mares:

75.00 ~ birth to 6 months
100.00 ~ 6mths - 1yr.
150.00 ~ 1yr. And older.

Geldings:
10.00

All funds from registration and spending are made public to members.

Contact Information:
Ranchero Stock Horse Assn.
603 B. Street
Corning Iowa,50841
Phone: 1~641~322~4802
e-mail: oneskyranch@frontiernet.net
Website: http://www.rancherostockhorse.netfirms.com
www.oneskyranch.netfirms.com
www.rancherostockhorse.netfirms.com