sheldak@mlgc.com

Web site

Fifty miles southwest of Fargo, North Dakota, is home to one of the leading Appaloosa breeders in the nation. The 1,000-acre Sheldak Ranch is owned and operated by Dave and Kim Utke, who have been selling their foal crop each year as their sole means of income since 1968.

Thirty-five to 40 broodmares spend the summer on pastures with their foals and respective stallion. Foals are born and raised on 160-acre pastures where a stallion and mare band develops the best in disposition and respect (taught by their “elders”). Free exercise on those large pastures for the first five to six months of foals’ lives develops strong, sound bones and feet. Free-choice commercial creep feed is available to the foals all summer, along with vitamins and minerals. All vaccinations and wormings are kept current.

No other bloodlines have been as selectively bred via genius Appaloosa breeders Marshall and Mavis Peavy, Lane Hudson, Cecil Dobbin and Carl Miles. All foundation mares and sires (Mighty Tim, Spittin Image, Mr Exclusive, Prince David, etc.) of the Sheldak Ranch were bred by these great breeders. The same Appaloosa lines that were chosen for superior conformation and athletic ability to start the Quarter Horse breed were the foundation for the Sheldak Ranch. Proof that the Utkes started with the best bloodlines lies within today’s national and world champions. Nearly every winner traces back to the great Bright Eyes Brother and/or Prince Plaudit.

Major titles are no strangers to Sheldak horses. Their first colt to go to a national show, Prince Shannon, won Reserve National Champion and went on to become All-Time Leading Sire and nominee to the Hall of Fame. Many national and world halter and performance champions were bred and raised by Dave and Kim, right through to the 2008 National Champion mare and previous multiple world champion String Of Storms. Some of the greatest “champions” (as Dave and Kim have been told by their customers) are the hard-working ranch horses across the Midwest who are excelling in the real world of cattle work.

Prospects for all reasons can be found at the Sheldak Ranch. For halter, performance, ranch work, trail and pleasure, future winners can be yours by first visiting the Web site.