True Facts About the Colorado Ranger Horse

Ontario, Canada-born Mike Ruby was the founder of the Colorado ranger horse breed. The horse enthusiast began the breed with two horses -- Max #2Z and Patches #1Z, of Berber and Arabian ancestry. In the 1930s, Ruby showcased two of the new breed's young male horses at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The pair of horses, Fox and Leopard, triggered a frenzy of interest, and there the breed came to life, Colorado ranger moniker and all. The "birth year" of the breed is 1934.

Although the breed isn't specific about coat color, it isn't easy to be classified as a bona fide Colorado ranger. Horses require proof of their Colorado ranger heritage -- in the form of pedigree documentation that goes all the way back to the initial two horses.

Individuals of this breed possess markedly sturdy and sinewy physiques, with particularly strong back legs. Height-wise, Colorado rangers are usually a little over 15 hands high, with one hand being 4 inches. However, some specimens are shorter or taller than that approximation. As far as overall disposition goes, Colorado ranger horses are generally regarded as being both brave and clever.

Some Colorado ranger horses share physical traits with Appaloosa horses, a breed notable for their leopard-style blotted coat markings. However, many Colorado rangers come in pure rather than blended color patterns. Appaloosas that are related to Max #2Z and Patches #2Z are officially qualified to be members of the Colorado ranger breed.

Colorado ranger horses are frequently seen both as performance horses and ranch horses, and are often hailed for their patience and tirelessness.