Gaining its popularity for versatility, cow instincts, break-away-speed, and its good disposition, the American Quarter Horse is here today thanks, in part, to the visionary that was Fred G. Gist. After generations of breeding, the blood of the Foundation Quarter Horse Sires was diluted and so wide-spread that the genetics of their legendary sires’ were close to being lost. With foresight and a whole lot of determination, Fred G. Gist set out to preserve and restore the valuable American Quarter Horse Foundation Bloodlines. He did so from the Wagon Wheel Ranch in Lometa, Texas, and the resulting impact he’s had on their future is immense.
Established in 1872, the Wagon Wheel Ranch was purchased by the late Fred G. and Elaine Conger Gist of Midland, Texas in 1972. Working to collect the American Quarter Horse sires’ blood from across America (and doing so by literally traveling across the U.S. in a pickup), the Gists amassed one of the best herd of such horses in the world. Upon his passing, Fred and Elaine’s son, John Gist, together with the ranch foreman, Rusty Rodgers, continued Fred’s life passion. They worked hard with genetics programs and continued the process of search and upkeep with respect to the lines of horses such as King P-234, Joe Hancock, San Peppy, Blue Valentine, and many more.
Photo: Facebook/Wagon Wheel Ranch Quarter Horses
In 2014, Total Horse Channel unveiled “Heritage: Preserving The Foundation of the American Quarter Horse,” a documentary which is now available for online viewing at the link provided here, the trailer for which can be viewed on the Wagon Wheel YouTube channel at the link available here. In it, the Emmy Award Winning Director Nick Nanton works to tell the story of how Gist changed the face of American horse breeding through research and passion, and how his legacy is carried on to this day. Gist was a trailblazer, preserving Foundation Bloodlines for generations of these horses to come.
Wagon Wheel Ranch is now in preparation for a disbursement sale of these amazing horses, unless an interested buyer comes forward to purchase their award-winning American Quarter Horse breeding program. The purchase would enable the entire herd to be maintained, honoring the life’s work of Fred Gist. Scheduled for June 29 and 30, the ranch will be launching the complete sell-off of this comprehensive herd, consisting of 350 horses. “Whether you are ready to get one horse for your trail and arena adventures or a string of horses to breed and boost your herd, the Wagon Wheel Ranch is the place to go…The ranch is known for its awesome breeding program that produces gentle, versatile, horses with good minds and dispositions. With all of the horses we have to offer, it will be easy to match you with a horse you’ll love!” explains a recent post from the ranch.
Photo: Facebook/Wagon Wheel Ranch Quarter Horses
In speaking with ranch foreman Rusty Rodgers, it was explained that having an individual or an entity come forward with an interest in preserving this herd and the outstanding breeding program that the ranch maintains is the ideal outcome. The Wagon Wheel Ranch is open to discussions. In the meantime, they’re in preparation for what could be considered a life-changing event in the American Quarter Horse history. Those interested in discussions for the possible purchase of the Wagon Wheel Ranch American Quarter Horse breeding program and the herd can contact Rusty directly by calling (512) 734-0234 or emailing him at [email protected]. If you would like to see more and learn about the value-added service that Wagon Wheel Ranch provides to and on behalf of the American Quarter Horse, visit their Facebook page at the link provided here for current updates, or check out their website by clicking on the link available here. You might just find yourself taking advantage of a ranching opportunity of a lifetime right here in the Texas Hill Country!
