Rafter DS Ranch's intention is to continue a tradition of high quality horses, returning to foundation Appaloosas in an effort to preserve the intellectual and athletic ability of the native bred northwest horse.
In 'A History of Wheeler County', part of the text reads, "Jacob Hoover, founder of Fossil, can be found on his ranch on Hoover creek, or racing his horses with his Indian friends." A portrait of his racer, "Silverdollar", hangs in my parent's home today. My excuse for my horse habit is "it's genetic, I can't help it."
We stand Ulrichs Cheyenne, who traces through the generations to "Old Painter". Old Painter was from Fossil and my family. Claude Thompson leased Old Painter from Fred Busby of Fossil, to help found the Appaloosa breed. I have gathered Cheyenne and his band of mares as an effort to preserve my family horses. It has been a labor of both love and frustration; but, five generations later the Hoovers are still raising horses in Fossil. It is our hope that others will also enjoy them....calm, smart, sure-footed, sound, do anything, adaptable, survivors of the breed.
