What has two equal sides and a bottom twice as long as its
top? Trick question. There are two answers. A trapezoid and a horse with
perfectly balanced conformation. Those involved with evaluating horses
recognize this ideal build as having a trapezoid shape. The horse’s underline
is twice as long as the back, the top line should be level from the withers to
the croup and the horse should have a sloping shoulder balanced with strong
hind quarters.
Dan and Carol McWhirter own such a trapezoid. Their stallion,
Absolute Investment, has such close to perfect conformation that he is often
called the “the trapezoid horse.” Not only does this horse have an ideal build,
superior movement and a sound mind, but he passes these characteristics to each
of his offspring.
“He is our vision of perfection in a horse,” Carol said.
Because of the way Absolute Investment stamps his offspring
with his traits, the McWhirters campaigned him with the saying, “Build with
Absolute confidence.” Now, they are saying, “Buy with Absolute confidence” when
talking about the more than 90 horses consigned to their complete dispersal
sale, September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Neb.
Absolute Investment consistently produces quality offspring.
More than half of the horses on the sale are either sired by him or are broodmares
in foal to him. Even Absolute Investment, himself, is consigned to the sale.
Not only are the genetics a reason for confidence, but every horse is sold with
full disclosure and, with the exception of Absolute Investment, every McWhirter
consignment will sell without a reserve. If Absolute Investment does not sell,
he will continue to stand at Gumz Farms in Kentucky.
The McWhirters spent more than 30 years breeding and raising
top quality American Quarter Horses, this includes two Hall of Fame Stallions,
The Big Investment and The Invester along with longtime leading sire, Good
Asset. These stallions and the success of their progeny earned Dan and Carol
several AQHA Top Breeder rankings. In 2009, AQHA ranked them Top-5 in
Performance point earners, Performance class winners and Halter class winners.
To produce these top-notch trapezoid horses, the McWhirters
focus on three things: genetics, nutrition and nurturing. As far as genetics
go, the McWhirters spent a lifetime perfecting their mare herd and identifying exactly
which types of mares cross best with their top quality stallions. Forty of
these mares are consigned to the sale.
“This fall the public gets to benefit from our years of
trial and error. These mares are tried and true—they are my favorites,” Carol said.
“Not only are they getting excellent mares, but every single mare we consigned
is bred back to Absolute Investment, Absolutely No Doubt or Absolute Asset.”
While genetics lay the foundation for their horses, they
understand that a horse must be cared for properly to perform to the best of
its genetic potential. Because of this, the McWhirters feed only Progressive
Feeds. Kelly Graber of Progressive feed says a horse’s soundness and ultimate
physical ability starts with proper prenatal nutrition.
“Feeding the mares and foals properly leads to less
osteochondrosis dissecans, or OCDs, and promotes an overall healthy horse in
the long run. Carol has even told us that OCDs have been almost eliminated in
her herd through years of following Progressive’s program,” Graber said.
Dr. Dennis Smith of Aurora Veterinary services has been
working with the McWhirters for more than 20 years. In preparation for the
sale, Dr. Smith has pulled blood work on 48 mares, foals, yearlings and two-year-olds
out in the pasture. He said they had no problems handling any of the horses.
“I have had my hands on almost all of the horses on the sale
and every single one is not only gentle, but in excellent condition,” Dr. Smith
said. “Generally speaking, her horses have always been in great shape and I
know for a fact that every single horse on the sale is being handled and worked
daily.”
By sale time, the McWhirters will have all of their young
trapezoids ready for their new owners. The yearlings will be lunging, the two-year-olds
riding and each mare will have a final pregnancy exam 10 days before the sale.
Additionally, every horse will be current on Coggins, dental work and hoofcare.
This is a
once-in-a-lifetime event that allows you to buy with Absolute confidence. The
auction starts at 4 p.m. September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln,
Neb. A pre-sale party will be held September 17. Alan Parker Auctions is
providing the sales management for the event; contact them at 813-220-4668. For
more information on the dispersal sale contact Carol McWhirter at 402-744-8341
or 402-902-9283. Log on to www.DanMcWhirter.com for pictures and videos of each
consignment.
