Pitchfork Ranch Fast Facts • The Pitchfork bred

Thoroughbreds stallions and Steel Dust mares to produce horses for the U.S. Cavalry.

• The ranch maintains a thriving cattle operation and remuda.

On December 13, 1883, the Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was incorporated with 52,500 acres of land in central West Texas and a foundation herd of 9,750 cattle. Unlike most ranches established during the great cattle boom of the 1880s, the Pitchfork survived episodes of drought and cattle depression for more than 100 years. No other ranch in central West Texas can boast being larger today than during its initial years.

Pitchfork Ranch

The Pitchfork’s history includes supplying the United States Military with horses for the Calvary, hauling supplies and equipment. The Remount Service Program used Thoroughbreds and ranch horses to develop an equine with speed, stamina, and could handle the rough terrain of the mid-west.

Pitchfork Ranch

Webster’s Dictionary defines “Remount” as a fresh horse to take the place of one lost or disabled. This definition was the basis of the U.S. Remount Service and the U.S. Army’s Horse Breeding Program.

What was the Remount Service Program?

The United States Remount Service operated from 1908 to 1948 and produced quality horses. They were constantly searching for a better mount, one that could do the job under saddle more efficiently, stay sound in spite of hard use and have sufficient speed when needed. The search for athletic and mental ability led to a study of practical conformation and an understanding of bloodlines.

The remount program also gave way to the develop of mounted sports. These were always popular with cavalrymen. Horse shows, gymkhanas, polo, steeplechasing and jumping were all popular contests. These sports added to the continual training programs required to produce effective soldiers and mounts.

• During the peak years, the Remount Service placed 700 stallions on ranches and farms throughout the country.

• The United States Remount Department gave ranchers an economic reason to raise better horses.

• There were over 1 million horses used in World War I. They were used a cavalry mounts on the front line and transportation. They also pulled heavy wagons with food and ammunition and carried individual packs holding large artillery shells. The war would not have been won without them.

• During World War II, tanks and aircraft were seen more regularly than in earlier wars. However, horses were still used in difficult terrain in areas of Oahu, Hawaii, and were used in large scale operations with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy and Operation Mars in Burma.

• Countless well-known American Quarter Horses trace their ancestry back to one or more Remount stallions.

The Pitchfork Ranch utilized the Remount Thoroughbred Stallions

• Bit Bolder

• Blue Bull

• Reno Daze

• Reno Inhale

• Trimmer

Pitchfork Ranch

Pitchfork Ranch

Once the Remount Service Program ceded to exist in the 1950’s the Pitchfork continued its breeding program. To this day the ranch is still known for good horses. So much so cowboys have been know to stay on the ranch instead of taking another job because they didn’t want to leave their horses.