Temperament, athletic ability, cowiness, excellent working conformation, endurance and size. These are the attributes we selectively breed for at Ruby Mountain Kigers.

 

Ranch raised in in the mountains of Central Idaho and hand gentled using Scientific Horsemanship our horses are top performance prospects whether your discipline of choice be cutting, reined cow-horse, reining, dressage or three day eventing. These horses also make excellent endurance and trail horses.

 

Looking for an all around ranch horse or a horse to compete in Ranch Horse Versatility? Consider a horse from Ruby Mountain Kigers.

Naturally collected with lots of suspension and extension Kigers make excellent dressage and three day eventing mounts,

 

Depending on your needs we have weanlings, yearlings and started horse available from our breeding program. I personally guarantee to match your horse to your needs. I stand behind every horse we sell, from conformational soundness to your satisfaction with their performance and willingness to learn.

 

The Kiger Mustang is an established breed. Genetic testing by Dr. Gus Cothran of the Equine Parentage Institute, University of Kentucky Lexington in 1977 established the presence of Spanish markers in their DNA blood tests. Further genetic research has tied them even more closely to the Iberian breeds, including the finding of the A3 genome cluster in the MtDNA. This A3 genome cluster to date has only been identified in Lusitano and Kiger horses.

 

First discovered in 1977 by the BLM in the rugged mountains of southeastern Oregon, the Kiger mustangs are thought to be direct descendents of the horses brought to the new world by the Spanish Conquistadors in the late 1500's and early 1600's. Almost 500 years of natural selection in a harsh environment, on what at the time was considered the finest bloodlines available in the world, has produced the Kiger. These horses show remarkable intelligence, soundness, endurance, brio (the fire within) and a natural desire and ability to work cattle that is unsurpassed!

An established registry has existed for the Kiger Mustangs since 1988. To be registered with the Kiger Mesteno Association the horse must be able to prove it's lineage is from  horses from established Kiger Herd Management Areas. These horse then under go stringent inspection for conformation and the presence of dun factored markings. Only after scoring a 90 or above may the horse be registered in the Foundation (from the wild) or Permanent (Captive breed) Divisions.

The temperament of the Kiger is a unique combination of hot blooded fieriness and calmness with above average intelligence and a strong desire to please. The stallions are easily managed and well mannered with a great degree of presence. Many breeding stallions are routinely ridden in exhibitions, competitions and for daily ranch work. The mares tend not to exhibit the moodiness typically attributed to mares.

 

Kigers mature slowly, growing well into their 5th year. They have proven useful mounts and broodmares well into their 20's.

 

Ruby Mountain Kigers is not alone in recognizing the cattle working ability of this unique breed. In 1992 Kigers began showing the stock-horse world that they were a breed to be reckoned with. This occurred when National Reined Cowhorse Association trainer Bobby Ingersoll decided to adopt and show a 2 yr old Kiger stallion from the wild know as Kiger Cougar. In August 1992 Kiger Cougar was shown at Paso Robles County Fair where he placed 1st over all other breeds in the Snaffle Bit Class. Then in September of 1992, with a years training, Bobby Ingersoll and Kiger Cougar went to the National Reined Cowhorse Association's Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno Nevada. Kiger Cougar placed 21st out of 150 horses, mostly registered Quarter Horses specifically bred for this work.

 

So much interest was generated in this little stallion with the big heart that the Kiger Cougar Foundation was formed. Throughout his two year old and three year old seasons Kiger Cougar performed exhibitions throughout California, Oregon and Nevada.

 

In 1994 Bobby Ingersoll was asked to send Kiger Cougar to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. He resides there today, being shown daily under saddle and introducing the world to the Kiger Mustang.

 

At Ruby Mountain Kigers we believe in carrying on the legacy of Kiger Cougar, showing the world that Kigers can excel in all performance disciplines.

Click on a horse's photo below to learn more about Ruby Mountain Kiger's