All-around horses Jaures strive to breed natural, agile horses that perform at the ranch, in the arena

Rawlins – For Erica and Chuck Jaure, raising performance horses started as a challenge of finding a few nice mares to breed barrel and rope prospects, but jumping into the performance horse industry wasn’t as easy as that. 

“We bought some prospects through some sales and didn’t have very good luck,” says Erica Jaure. “They always had weird quirks or some history we had to figure out.”

“I thought, if we raised our own horses, we would know what happened to them and be able to control some of those variables through the training process,” she continues. 

Getting started 

At the time, while the couple was looking for brood mares to add to their program, Jaure says, “Chuck thought this area was also lacking a good stallion for both performance and ranch horses, so we decided to look for a quality stud, too.”

As they began to look for a stud, they spread the word to friends and family, and someone turned them on to a two-year-old prospect.

“I wanted something older, already proven and shown, maybe even with some babies on the ground,” Jaure explains. “But, as we looked at videos of this young horse, we were impressed with his size and bone. We liked his bloodline, too, and we thought we would take a chance.” 

In the worst-case scenario, Jaure says they could have gelded him and had a really nice horse. 

“That horse is Kick It In the Nic, also known as Snoopy,” she comments, noting the stallion is a major part of their program today. “Once we started, it all just evolved into our program today.”

Since then, the Jaure family has built a strong, successful line of performance and ranch horses, and they continue to raise top-quality horses with their children Truett, 11, and Tess, 8. 

Performance horses

The Jaures have been involved in roping and rodeo for many years, and they wanted to raise horses that they wanted to ride. 

“Chuck always roped, and I ran barrels and roped in high school and college,” Jaure explains. “We wanted to raise horses to ride, and multiple-use horses fit us best.”

With a goal of attending barrel futurities, Jaure also says, “We wanted good prospects that we didn’t have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for.”

Their children also share a passion for horses, and Jaure explains they seek to breed horses that accomplish multiple goals.

“We want to haul horses that can be used for several events at the rodeo, but they still go out to pasture and work for the ranch,” Jaure says. “We wanted to build something that was fast enough and agile with natural cow-sense but also had enough bone to stay sound.” 

“With those qualities, a horse can run barrels, be a head horse and still be a pleasure to use on the ranch,” she emphasizes.

Breeding program

Jaure explains their breeding program typically utilizes a breeding strategy that combines both ranch horse genetics with ability to run. 

“I like to find mares with older bloodlines, but we try to keep up current trends,” she says. “These horses aren’t just hobby or trail-riding horses. They like having a job – or two or three.”

They have two home-raised stallions on the ranch, which both produce high-quality offspring.

“Kick It In The Nic is very smart, quick footed and good boned,” Jaure says. “He produces horses with all-around potential. We have roped calves and competed in head, heel and reined cow horse events, as well as in barrels and poles.”

The foals from race mares have the run to compete but have a short back and natural gait and speed.

Their other stallion, THR Buggin Da Famous, has a pedigree for barrels. 

“By Dash Ta Fame and out of a daughter of Streakin Six, he has an easy going personality that he passes to his foals,” Jaure explains. “He also passes on the natural turn of Dash Ta Fame, with good size and substance.”

THR Buggin Da Famous’ oldest foals are just turning five this year, so Jaure says, “We have yet to know how well they will perform, but I haven’t found one yet that isn’t willing and athletic.”

Raising horses

Located in Rawlins, the Jaures find there are both benefits and challenges associated with raising horses.

Carbon County ranchers like the Jaures’ horses, and they perform well as ranch horses in the high desert, sagebrush country of Wyoming. 

“The babies learn on the mares how to travel through brush and up and down rocky hillsides,” Jaure explains. “They develop good bones and hooves from a young age.”

However, they don’t have any green fields and have to haul feed in, which can be a challenge.

“Breeding horses is hard,” she says. “I have a lot of heartaches and long days.” 

But at the end of the day, Jaure says, “Seeing or hearing about someone doing well on one of our horses makes it all worth it. Plus, I love riding these horses.”

Jaure notes she competes in futurities with a handful of her horses, and “holds her own.”

“I’m not out to win all the time,” she explains. “I want horses for the long-term.”

At the same time, seeing her children riding and succeeding on their home-raised horses provides a bright spot in her life.

“Truett and Tess are our future, and I really enjoy seeing them step on these horses and have success,” she says. 

Visit jaureperformancehorses.com for more information.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.