By Arnold McKee

Gordon and Charlene Musgrove, along with their crew, did a superb job conducting my Ranch Horse and Tack Sale. My crew and I found it very easy to work with them. This was why the sale and function worked so well. I'm glad to have gotten to know them and call them friends.

Tim Westerlund, a great friend and fellow horseman, got me through a lot of stress and kept me organized. We did not feel that gathering and sorting the Block Horses was actually work. To us, working with and around horses is, in fact, a holiday.

Kevin and Ty Wilson’s support and help meant a lot. They understand horses as well. Dave Renaud and Trev, in the same pool of horsemen, made the horse sale an honourable and quiet flow through the auction ring.

I deeply appreciate everyone who contributed, from gatemen to helpers. I hope those who purchased horses enjoy them as much as I have. Each animal sold is special and represents years of care and commitment.

If possible, I hope that people who are now part of this history can purchase or have purchased the pamphlet on how the group of us set out to breed and preserve the Block Horses. The Block Horse is a horse all of its own, and is not connected with any so-called wild horse. It is especially not connected to any mustang.

The generic pool that went through the ring is the total true-breeding stock. Every Block Horse traces to the signatures of the roundup. Not hearsay. If they do not have a paper Pedigree Record, they are not a Block Horse. Do not let anyone talk you into a fictitious connection.

Two area people plan to continue breeding the Block Horse. I will work with them to ensure the genetic pool stays there. The colts were bought mostly by people who have purchased from me before and wanted more for the future. It is exciting to hear from the new owners who are finding out the brilliance and ability of this great horse.

Most of the buyers came from Alberta. Some connections were made in BC, I believe, from my connections with the Ranching Industry of BC.

The same follows through in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

I’ve always tried to produce strength and soundness, as well as stunning looks that people could be proud of. A person in Utah must have recognized this from the pictures and videos. One of the great young mares and a stallion prospect that was weaned from another mare has been purchased. I can hardly wait to find out his plans for this pair.

I succeeded in breeding Morgans, Suffolk Punches, and all my programs, but the Block Horse proved the most rewarding to breed and study. Drawing from a rich mix of breeds, nature achieved greatness. I am grateful to the knowledgeable horsemen in this corner of Alberta who helped guide me. My role was to understand and preserve what nature created. I hope I have done it right and that others will continue this work.

Home on the Range, not the show ring. The Block Horse of Alberta and Canada. Let these horses teach the people who cross their paths.

People say I was born in a horse pasture and never left. Some say I was born under a rock. At any rate, I am glad I was, so I could live and breathe these horses.

Arnold

A tribute to Spike. Whatever had to be done, he and his partner got it done. The mother of woodwork!