Good-Minded Ranch Horses Raised by a Working Family
Family-raised Quarter Horses from Fort Shaw, Montana - bred for soundness, trainability, and real-world ranch work.
Located in Fort Shaw, Montana, Hitchcock Quarter Horses is a family-owned program run by Mike and Tanya Hitchcock, alongside their children Allyson (Dillion Dundas) and Chad (Jessica Zarske).
Hitchcock Quarter Horses operates alongside the daily work of Skogen GK Angus Ranch - Tanya’s family’s multi-generational cattle operation - where Mike serves as ranch foreman and Dillion is also part of the ranch crew. While Tanya, Allyson, and Chad each maintain professional careers off the ranch, our family works together whenever we aren’t at our “day jobs.” Hitchcock Quarter Horses is our program, and we proudly supply the ranch horses used at Skogen GK Angus.
Our program began with a simple goal: raise horses we trusted for our own family. That purpose still drives every decision today.
Our horses must handle rugged Montana terrain, long days, cattle work, and real-world pressure while remaining dependable, willing partners. We prioritize horses that are structurally correct, good-minded, trainable, and athletic enough to be versatile - capable working horses that are also safe for families.
Since our kids were toddlers, we’ve kept a strict rule: if any one of us couldn’t ride it, it didn’t stay. That standard came from experience and from understanding what matters most. To quote our friend Ryan Bell, “Kid’s Horse. Is there a more important job on a ranch?” This belief is exactly why we started raising our own horses.
We’ve personally ridden most of our mares - along with our studs and young horses - in real ranch work, so we know what they’re like beyond pedigree. We understand their minds, attitudes, and how they handle pressure because we’ve asked them to do the job ourselves.
Our program remains intentionally small, focused on producing horses we believe in enough to keep ourselves - honest, capable partners built to last.
What We Prioritize
- Proven minds and trainability
- Structural soundness and longevity
- Athletic ability and versatility
- Real ranch experience and usability
- Family-safe dispositions
Every horse in our program is selected with purpose. We focus on quality over quantity, raising horses that are dependable partners first and foremost - whether for ranch work, performance, or family use.
Raised with Purpose. Built to Last.
If you’re looking for a versatile ranch horse with a proven mind and strong foundation, we invite you to learn more about our program or see the horses we currently have available.
Testimonials
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This is a quick testimony of my wonderful experience purchasing a Hitchcock quarter horse. Mike, Tanya, and the kids were so helpful to me in choosing my filly. They had my filly picked out for me and said she would be the perfect horse for me to start out with. They couldn’t have been more right. Slurpee is my one year old who is calm, smart, and very sweet. When I go out and see her, she always comes up to the fence to say hello. Whenever I run into Mike and Tanya, they ask me how Slurpee is doing and are always willing to help me. I am so blessed and thankful to have a wonderful horse from a trustworthy, kind, helpful and caring people. You would not regret purchasing a Hitchcock Quarter Horse.
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The Hitchcock family lives the working ranch horse lifestyle throughout their entire program. They use their bloodlines everyday on their ranch operation and continue to produce and breed for desired traits. These are top quality horses for the full time cowboy or anybody that loves good quality horses. This is the reason my operation repeatedly invests in Hitchcock Quarter Horses.
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I’ve started several colts for the Hitchcocks. They have all been easy to start, good minded, and I’ve purchased a few of them for myself and made pickup horses with them. For a good, all-around horse, check out the Hitchcock’s breeding program.
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I work at a feedlot in the fall and winter and a mountain grazing allotment in the spring and summer. Both can be a very demanding environment for a horse and I start new colts each season. I need a horse with bone, a good mind and cow-sense and to be able to rope right away. Hitchcock Quarter Horses are exactly that with trainability, a friendly personable attitude and good looks you can be proud of.
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I contacted Tanya and Mike about a a Coy's Bonanza bred horse for my son for Christmas. They were great to work with. We had to ship her to Indiana and I was nervous about it. They jumped right in to help and ease my nerves. They met the hauler, asked him questions, and even sent me pics to show how she loaded and what her ride looked like. I couldn't be more happy with our mare and the filly she had. Not only are the bloodlines of their stock solid, the structure and temperament of these horses are wonderful. We feel like we not only gained a couple great horses but also good friends.
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The Hitchcock Quarter Horse program is one of the finest in the country. They raise and sell proven ranch horses, with a majority of the broodmares and the studs being ridden on the ranch before entering the breeding program. Hitchcock’s breed horses with cow sense, solid feet and legs, and trainable dispositions. They strive to breed a ranch horse that will work for the toughest cowboy or the wife and kids. The best part of purchasing a horse from the Hitchcock family is their honesty when evaluating and selecting a horse for their customers.