Breeding for Brains, Not Just Bloodlines
- afenner
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Everybody loves to talk papers.
First Dash This, Frenchmans That, money earners, pink buckle darlings — and don’t get us wrong, those bloodlines matter. They tell part of the story.
But at Rad Rodeo, we’ve learned to look past the headlines. Because the horses that stick — the ones who raise our kids, make it down the alley, and keep showing up day after day — they’ve got brains, not just brilliance.
Brains Make the Difference When It Matters Most
In the middle of a big race, when the crowd’s loud, the banners flap, and the rider’s nervous — talent isn’t enough.
That horse better:
Read the rider’s body language.
Stay calm in chaos.
Make smart decisions under pressure.
That’s not just training. That’s mind. That’s how they’re made.
We Watch How They Handle Pressure
When we’re evaluating breeding stock, we ask:
Do they handle new things well?
Can they recover from a mistake?
Do they settle back in after a big event?
A fancy pedigree can’t save a horse that loses its mind every time the music gets loud. But a level-headed one with a strong work ethic? That’s worth everything.
It’s About What They Pass On
We’re not just raising athletes — we’re raising future teachers, youth horses, and partners.
Brains get passed down just like conformation and agility. We’ve seen it in:
Our own colts from Bogie Nights'.
The cool-headed consistency that made Mr. Star Bogie a winner.
The early signs of brains and calm in all of Little Bit's foals.
They think. They learn. They try. That’s the kind of legacy we’re building.
Trainability Trumps Flash
We’d take a try-hard, willing, thinking horse over a fire-breathing beast any day.
Because when the goal is longevity — not just one big year — you want a horse that wants to work with you.
Brains give you:
Longevity.
Versatility.
Horses that come back season after season, sound in body and mind.
Final Thoughts
We still love a good pedigree. We still track earnings and performance.
But at Rad Rodeo, we breed for brains.
Because we’re building horses for real families, real kids, real futures — and that takes more than talent.
It takes a mind that’s steady, smart, and strong.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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