Testimonials from clients on their Chex foals:

1)  My name is Becky and I am currently starting a filly by your stallion, Chex N Dun It for Tim Ettleman of Longmont, Colorado.  I recently visited your website and read what the other owner of Chex's get said and couldn't agree more.  Tim's filly, Checkers as he is calling her has more natural tallent combined with an unbelievably trainable mind than most older horses.  I started a half sister to Checkers, by a different stallion so I know the stamp that Chex put on this filly.  She hunts the stop, on the fourth ride she would stop on a loose rein.  From the first time packing a bit she was extremely soft mouthed and has always been very sensitive to leg pressure.  No one at the facility I ride at can believe she is only a two year old, she never spooks or gets worked up about anything.  And her stunning buckskin color doesn't hurt the eyes!  Just thought I would let you know that your stallion is a great producer, and his get are fun to play with.   Becky, Laramie, WY        

2)His stops are a lot better than what they show in these pictures. We were ready to go in the gate and he was in the snaffle and Vicki told me that I had to hurry and go get a bridle on him because I couldn’t show in a snaffle in that class. I about had a heart attack because I have NEVER ridden him one handed in the bridle before, and I, MYSELF, have NEVER used split reins before. (When I used to show my other bridle horse, I used romal reins.) I had to have Vicki show me how to hold the reins! He placed 2nd out of 13 horses! He did awesome!  He’s such a good boy. I just love this horse!

UPDATE 12/23/06: I just wanted to let you know that Chex Lou Freckles won the year end award for First Year Green Horse this year for Reining Horse Assoc. of Nev.  We were sitting first or second in Snaffle/ Hackamore also, but he got strangles and we missed a show, so it put us 4th in that class, but he still ended up 1st in the 1st Year Green Horse Class even with the missed show.  He has been such a pleasure, and FUN, to ride and show. I have gotten a ton of compliments on him. Shelly

         (Chex N Dun It X Dox Lou Freckles)

3)    (A Chex N Dun It son)

This is Wes,  (2 pictures above)
He is doing awesome.  He is a great minded horse and he is very easy to work with. I have him in the round pen and he is doing awesome he has not buck or thrown any fits.  Jake 

A later e-mail: Wes is doing phenomenal, he has excelled very fast, we are now working on our spins and stops and he has proven to be very athletic.  We have done lead changes and he is a natural .  He is our furthest along 2 year old out of our batch this year, he has surpassed some of our 3 year olds.  He is not spooky and has gone on many trail rides already. And I ride him along the farm bareback and just love him to death.  I have some more pictures for you but its nothing compared to in person!!!  Jake

4) Virtue remains "the bomb" and is everything I expect in a filly. She's becoming everything you said she would become. I'm quite pleased. I love her! Great movement. I can hardly wait to ride her. I think she'll have a really smooth way of going. I'll probably send her out to the trainer first. I think she'll have the most talent and eagerness. Nothing intimidates her and that, coupled with her breeding and smarts, should make her very reiney and cowy. Ed from Illinois     (filly on left is a Chex daughter, right is a Jesse Dry Doc daughter)

Update on the Chex filly, Virtue Chexinic: 

A super filly and my favorite saddle horse! Still a youngster but already has that rockin' chair lope and the smoothest trot imaginable!

Virtue is another of our acquisitions as a weanling from the 74 Ranch in Huntley, WY. Originally, we contacted the 74 because we wanted a good-footed, mountain-bred cow filly by their old stud Jesse Dry Doc, but after seeing several babies produced by their Chex N Dun It stud we had to have one! Virtue and a weanling mate came to Illinois one cold January night as a pair. We have not once regretted that decision. She is from one of Chex's early foal crops and if she is an indication of what he can produce this stud is a great one and worthy of any breeder's consideration. Tom and Michele Herbst breed some outstanding horses.    (underlines are theirs)

Virtue is stout, quick, kind, and super intelligent. You can literally see her thinking when she has to decide on a course of action. No kidding! She really thinks! A gentle filly with a lope so smooth it takes your breath away. She's also going well on trails. Bathes, trailers, clips, vacuums, and stands for the Farrier without restraints. Walks, trots, and canters to voice commands. She is an easy keeper, and a real flashy filly that is very pretty under saddle and a joy to be around.

5)  Chex's foals are smart--The guy riding her thinks she learns so much faster than some of their foals. So far Ruby is doing super--the guy started riding her--so far three times.  She's been tied in the same pen while they work other horses on the cattle then she is rode.  She did snort when the 4 buffalo were coming her way though.  Also while they tied her in the pen with the cattle-- four of them came up to sniff her butt and eat her tail--she just stood there with her tail up probably in heat but it was funny to watch.  They thought you guys did a wonderful job breaking her.  They keep telling me she'd make a good cutting horse but that is not my style.  Later, Judy     Update 12/07: Judy sold this filly and the new owners said, " I recently purchased Chex N Ruby and am so very pleased with her I cannot begin to say.  She is out of Chex N Dun It and Doc Star Ruby. This is Ruby now with my granddaughter Emily.  My question to you is who trained this horse.  She is the best trained horse I have ever owned in my 66 years of life.  Also, I would like to breed her within another year or so and would like to keep within line.  She is the sweetest mare and I would like a foal from her with the same temperment.    Emily and Ruby will begin showing this spring when the snows have past.  If you are interested I will keep you informed of their progress.  Thank you for breeding such a gorgeous mare.  We love her. She is a special kind of mare as you can ride her in barrels or pole bending and next right into western pleasure.  She turns off the speed and does the trail and pleasure work immediately.  Linda Update 8/08:  I  just wanted to give you an update on Chex N Ruby and my granddaughter Emily.  They are really doing well and here are a few photos before the 4H show.  We were rained out of the show for 3 straight days so she will show at the next 4 H gathering in September.  This amazing little mare is a dream come true.  She can do it all and has a temperament that one can only dream of.  I will keep you informed of our showing endeavors.  This summer has been terrible for us with all the rain day after day.  Hopefully, we can show successfully in the weeks to come. Emily and Ruby are now with Don James of Don James Quarter Horses in Akron, New York.  He has been around the country and is the most accomplished instructor we have ever known.  Her riding ability has improved drastically.That little mare is fearless and walks thru over or under anything. Her temperament is beyond my wildest dreams. I have owned many horses in my lifetime, but this is the most intelligent horse I have ever owned.
We have had several very nice offers on Ruby, but she is not for sale.  All I can say to you folks is keep the line going. What a special temperament she has.

New Update 11/14/08 on Chex N Ruby and Emily (home page):

Hi Michelle,
Just a quick update on Ruby. Emily and Chex N Ruby finished 3rd overall for the Erie County, NY 4 H group and in the last horse show she finished 1st in the Western Division.
They rode against ages 8 - 18 and Ruby was a real campaigner. Nothing phased her in the ring or outside. What a temperment she has and a joy to own.

We had an offer on Ruby at the show. One 4 H parent was absolutely in love with Ruby and offered us a nice sum of money for her. However, Ruby is with us forever. She isn't for sale. I cannot tell you sufficiently how wonderful that mare is. I hope you continue to breed this temperment as it is rare to find a young mare with this level mind. Thank you again. WE APPRECIATE IT.
Sincerely,

Linda

6) This yearling grulla is by Chex and out of Poco Chexette and owned by Holly in Nevada

7)Precision Chex is 1 smart filly. Yesterday we sent her to be ridden. She is ready mind & body to do something. So away she went. Looks like the Chex & Dunits' are selling well for you. I almost went for that real pretty 2nd to last one, can't recall name. I have had a lot of fun with her. We will see how it goes & in Fall probably send to Van & Cathy to get going for 3 yr. old events. Local fellow Chris Jones is starting her. He will be in touch with Van to get the buttons on her. Keep up the good work in your breeding program.   E. Luse

Tom and Michele Herbst
74 Ranch
P.O. Box 116
Huntley, Wyoming 82218
307-788-1303  (cell) 307-534-6579
Email: 74ranch@actcom.net

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