I would have said that Woody, my older bay horse, was the best, a year ago, but now, after having ridden him off and on for the past year, I'd say Beaver. He is Woody's grandson.
I bought Woody as a colt at a sale, not knowing how he was bred, but just left a bid for him, as i really liked his build. He's a son of Mr Bartender and out of a regestered paint mare, who's name escapes me now.
I've never ridden a horse that is cowy'er, but I let him get away with too much when he was younger, and now, he's kind of wild to ride and terrible chargy. He won't let a critter get away, and he is so unorthadox in his approach,that you can barely stand to ride him. He crossfires when he is chasing something, or whatever it takes to get you to the critter.
Anyway, I got a daughter out of him and bred her to a nice dun stud I had and got Beaver. The dun stud goes back to Poco Bueno and came from the 4D ranch, up by Lemmon. He's the most solid and unflappable horse, I've ever ridden. He's probably not the best at any one thing, but he's real good at anything and safe for anyone, and I do mean anyone! I'd turn him loose with my grandson, if he was big enough to hang on, and never worry. Jingles Jr has tripped cattle on him and I'd not hesitate to tie onto any critter with him and I'd have no fear that he couldn't handle it. Most folks who've rode him, think he is cowy, but he ain't near as cowy as Woody! And if they won't look at a cow, I ain't got no time for therm.
I owned all of the horses in Beavers background and he's come down form a long line of cowhorses. He's got more snort and try then his dad, but is way calmer than his granddad.
He is full of energy and is courious. He's not as cowy as his grampa yet, but he's coming along. I rode his butt off in the breaks the other day, and he never slowed down or slackened his pace. I've roped quit a bit off from him and he handles it well. And when I say roped, I'm talking in the pasture or in the corral, ranch roping. He's just 5 and has never had too hard of a ride, so he should last unitl he's 20 something. I just started letting him pack a bit, this summer and he's coming along good.
Gary Carter, the Cowboy Artist of America artist, wants him, and I told him he could have him, in a few years, when he's older and more solid. Beaver hasn't got any buck or spook to him and I would let anyone ride him, who I trusted to not push the wrong buttons, cuz he can really come around, when you ask him. He's smooth to ride and packs you good. Stands about 15 2 and weighs 1200 right now.
Yup, he's the best and just confirms that I am going the right direction in my breeding program. Every generation just gets a little nicer, and the older ones were nice to begin with.
I can hardly wait to get on some of the babies we've got growing up now!
