I am finally in the position (enough money, time, space and knowledge) to look for a colt. I have two other horses, one a babysitter that anybody can ride, and the other is a Doc Bar by way of Sugar Bars bred gelding. I am really starting to get into team penning and sorting, and while the Doc Bar gelding does a pretty fair job, he seems happier on the trails. He kind of lacks, ummmmm.. oomph, or maybe attitude. He knows his job and does it, but there is something missing.
So anyway, the horse market being what it is, I figure I can afford a well-bred baby. If only I knew the lines to look for!!! Anybody knowldgeable about working cow horse lnes, please enlighten me!

I am particularly found of Olena horses.
I've had quite a few in multiple disciplines and have never been disappointed.
The only possible drawback is size, a good one barely stands over 14 hands.
I do like Hollywood and Freckles bred horses as well.

I am biased, but how about a "Western Working" Morgan. They usually have a little more pep and a lot of cow sense.

Check my website (pinecreekranch) to get a little an idea.

Happy New Year!

GC

LT - I kind of LIKE little horses. I am only 5'4"!! I looked at a Freckles Playboy grandson, but his confo seemed a little off so I passed him by.
Wolfgang I do like the look of Morgans. Back in California a friend of mine had one that would do anything. He was pretty too, and lived to please. Too bad yours are so far away!! (I am in Missouri).
ANyway, the search is still on and it is SO MUCH FUN to shop for a colt!!

You could try visiting the NCHA site to get some ideas of who is winning and then look for those lines. The hard part in buying a colt is you wont know his drive until he is old enough to work. Do your homework and if you can, watch the sire and dam work. I have a nice mare with some good lines, nothing to get too excited about, but she is awesome on cows. We set an arena record at her first pen sorting event. Start with bloodlines then look for heart. It is the heart that is going to win for you no matter the breeding.

Sounds like you have great luck with Doc Bar horses. All horses I've met related to him are mischevious in a bad way but I've seen them work wonders in the show pen.

As for a good working cow horses. We have a foal out of a grandson of High Brow Cat and and the mother also being a great great grand daughter on Doc Bar and Peppy San Badger, This little guy is very very handy. I would take him as a personal horse in a second. we also own Little Peppy Zana who was 2007 National Champ in Sr. Cutting, who produced also a handy, quick little girl.

There are alot of good babies to look for out there, the top sires in Reining are producing great foals. Once you see something you'll know whether its worth it or not

One you decide what bloodline you are interested in, you might want to check into various horse-rescue/adoption agencies. There are a lot of wonderful, sound and well-bred horses out there for under $500 looking for good homes!

Well I am actually looking at cow horses myself right now and if you stay with the Peptoboonsmal, Olena, High Brow Cat, High Brow Hickory, Mecom Blue or Royal Blue Boon lines for dam you should be good to go. They are all outstanding and you would be proud to own them. With the market the way it is, you may be able to find one that is already started. I know a lot of trainers start the cutting or cow horses on buffalo. So maybe start there and I think you will have no problem.

if you are in Missouri, check out a stud called Vegas resort. He is a new name in the Quarterhorse world (read: cheaper babies), is GEORGOUS and has super cow sense. not to mention, he is one of the most well-mannered studs i have ever been around and seem to give this mind set to his babies. My boyfiend bought one of his colts (a silver-blue roan) and Boy, let me tell you i was imprssed!!! Not only was the colt one the prettiest both conformationally and asthetically i have ever seen but on the ride home (16 hours AND his first time in a trailer) he not only rode the whole way without a peep but let me put a blanket on him (also a first) like a champ.

I dont know what age range you are looking for but the last time i Spoke to him, Wayne (Vegas's owner) had one or two year olds and a few yearlings left. He was also booking for the spring breeding.

Check out his website:
WS Performance Horses - Vegas Resort, Bay Roan Roping Stallion, Broodmares, and Horses For Sale by World Champion Qualifier

CORRECTION
Actually we own Litlle Peppy Zana, ApHC, (who was the 2007 Res. National Champion in Sr. Cutting) and we are also the breeders and owners of her 2009 dark bay yearling filly. Although we had Zana settled to the super reiner, I Spin For Chix, (AQHA) in 2009, sadly she slipped that baby late in her 2nd trimester and we opted to leave her open for 2010. She's a great mare and a superb producer as well! We are looking forward to her getting her bred early for a 2012 baby. "Phyllis" the filly Zana produced by DZ Weedo has talent to burn and is a stylish filly who's hard to miss.
Oddly, we also own a yearling grandson of High Brow Cat out of a High Sign Nugget/Peppy San Badger bred Appaloosa mare, Once In A Blue Boon, a copper bay with a blanket started on cattle. Her 2009 High Brow Cat grandson is a super catty, brilliant chestnut with moves most pray for. Photos of the gang, from weanling to present can be seen on our website and on Face Book.
New photos of THE SECRET PARDON, our 3 X National Halter Champion who is also N/N are ready to be uploaded, hopefully today. He's matured so much, with the change between last year and now being beautifully dramatic!
Visit us at Sweetwater Farms World and National Champion Appaloosa Horses

Don't know if this helps, but my family has quite a few cow horses here in Montana, bloodlines out of Hollywood Gold, Spanishcreek, Wagon boss. They just picked up some fresh blood out of Missouri, Hollywood gold and and Gold san peppy freckles. My grandpa started this string in the fifties and has been culled down to where you can't seem to pick a bad one. Quick to learn, eager to please and alot of give. They are all used for ranch work and take quickly to vocal commands. The last two I started for them were working cows and learning on job in a week, and I picked them up just halter broke. They also have no real spook in them. After about two weeks of work I can use a aussie stock whip and shoot off them. I also work alot of spoiled and misworked horses, its always nice to go back to their stock after working spoils!

You are in Missouri, right? You are sitting in some of the best quarter horse foundation blood as anywhere. In fact, the lady my family just got some fillies from lives in that state. She's selling out due to her health and has a 13 year old that has done alot of cutting in events and they also use his for competition shooting, although from what I was told, he occasionally loses a rider coming around the poll in the shooting. He's "quick on the cut" in her words. Sue is her first name and I'll try to get her last if you are interested.

Just wondering as to what "cowy" lines are considered to be in the AQHA & APHA worlds? I'm familiar with QHs and some breeding, but not entirely, and certainly not with Paints. Are any paints bred to this? If you were looking for something "cowy" I understand it's a lot more than just lines to look at, but I'm curious as to what you would consider the right lines for a cowhorse in both breeds?

Hollywood gold and and Gold san peppy freckles. My grandpa started this string in the fifties and has been culled down to where you can't seem to pick a bad one. Quick to learn, eager to please and alot of give. They are all used for ranch work and take quickly to vocal commands.

Congrats on getting a colt. I always thing of Peppy San Badger, Peptoboonsmal, High Brow Cat, Doc Olena, Doc's Hickory when I think cowhorse/cutting. We used to own one of Al Dunning's horses Hickory Dickory Dock, obviously of the Doc's Hickory line and he was just an awesome novice friendly horse! I personally would recommend that line!