Zehner Ranch

Raising working and performance-minded horses with the old-fashioned bloodlines of such greats as Doc O'Lena and contemporary powerhouse Paddys Irish Whiskey.

Much of our current stock is related to the Doc O'Lena stallion we owned, Doc Elite. At the time we acquired Doc Elite, we felt so blessed to own such a quality stallion, it really felt like owning a treasure out here on the prairie, hence our trademark phrase "You'll find treasure in the strangest places."

During each person's life, opportunities arise. Some opportunities are man made but the true opportunity that has no earthly reason for happening is said to come from Divine intervention. Just having the opportunity to own such a magnificent horse as Doc Elite had to be from Divine intervention, Nancy recalls.

When Doc Elite passed at age 29 we knew it would be hard to replace a stallion of that caliber. There were no more Doc O'Lena sons to be found, but we wanted to continue with the old working bloodlines that have made the American Quarter Horse such an outstanding performance horse.

Doc Elite son "Augustus," full brother to Yahtzee, owned and ridden by Colt Bruegman, Day of The Horse 2019

In 2014 we purchased a son of leading performance sire Paddys Irish Whiskey, Paddys Pooh Babe. "Pooh" embodied all the things we wanted to continue carry forward in our breeding program: a top performance pedigree, working ability, conformation and quality. Crossed with our Doc Elite daughters and foundation-bred Quarter Horse mares, the results have been magical.

A History of Horses

Historical photos of some of the great bloodlines in our breeding program.
See more photos in our gallery.

Doc O'Lena photo by Dalco

Paddys Irish Whiskey

I didn't train Doc O'Lena anyway, he trained himself. I knew about 30 days after I got him that he was an exceptional horse... I always had to ride him last in the training program, 'cause if I didn't, I'd be mad at all the other horses in the barn. He was just that good.

Legendary horseman Shorty Freeman

Doc O'Lena cutting with Shorty Freeman

Doc O'Lena & son Smart Little Lena

Doc O'Lena Conformation

Black Angus Cattle

The cattle business has supported the Zehner Ranch for more than 40 years, which is an important reason we appreciate American Quarter Horses bred for cutting and ranch work.

We run a Black Angus herd with replacement heifers, cow/calf pairs, yearlings and two year olds for market.

Oklahoma is Home

Buffalo, Oklahoma has been our home for more than 40 years. Named for nearby Buffalo Creek, the town was established before statehood and incorporated in 1908. With so many of our neighbors, the area provides an important agricultural hub known for its grazing land.

During the years of the cattle drives, thousands of head of cattle were herded along the Western Trail, which ran west of present Buffalo. In addition, countless soldiers moved through the area along a military trail that extended north from Fort Supply to Fort Dodge, Kansas. The area was part of the original Louisiana Purchase and later became the county seat for Harper County.

Nicknamed "Stone City," originally no buildings were allowed in Buffalo's business district unless they were constructed of stone, to withstand potential prairie fires. Consequently, many of the original historical buildings are still in use today and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Though the landscape has changed over time, Buffalo - our home - is still part of America's great prairies and full of natural beauty.