For more than half a century, the Harrington family has been dedicated to raising quality Quarter Horses in the rugged mountains and ranch country of southwestern Montana.

In 2013, Don Harrington of Butte and Dillon, Montana, was honored by the American Quarter Horse Association with its prestigious 50-Year Breeder Award. This recognition is reserved for breeders who have registered at least one foal every year for 50 consecutive years—a testament to Don’s lifelong commitment to the Quarter Horse industry. Don and his family have raised horses that are successful ranch, pleasure, and arena horses.  They currently stand stallions by Dualin Boon, Peptos Stylish Oak, Boonlight Dancer, and A Smooth Guy.  They currently stand grandson’s of Peptoboonsmal, First Down Dash, Oak Tree Special, and Cosmo Jet.  Past sires were by Paddys Irish Whiskey, Doc O Dynamite, First Down Dash, Nu Cash, Oklahoma Fuel and Peppy Isle, to name a few.  

Raised in Montana’s high-altitude country, our foals arrive each spring amid green grass, mountain views, and the seasonal rains that help shape strong, durable horses. We focus on producing horses with sound feet and bone, athletic ability, good minds, and correct conformation. Don’s passion for horses lives on through his children, Mark and Lynn, who continue the breeding program today.

The Hirschy Ranch, located near Jackson, Montana, was homesteaded in 1894 in the scenic Big Hole Valley. Today, the ranch is operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the family—Fred and Lynn Harrington-Hirschy and their daughters, Murphy, Brooke, and Cate.

Every aspect of the cattle operation is accomplished horseback using horses raised on the ranch. The colts we offer for sale are out of mares that our family personally enjoyed riding and using. Many of these horses go on to successful careers in roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and other performance events. Horses from our program have qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo, College National Finals Rodeo, World Series of Team Roping Finals, and professional competition in both the PRCA and WPRA. 

The ranch also has a rich connection to horsemanship legend Ray Hunt, who hosted annual clinics here beginning in the early 1970s. Ray often extended his visits to help gather cattle and work alongside the family. His influence, along with that of Tom Dorrance, continues to shape the philosophy of our program today. It is a pleasure to see Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance’s horsemanship continue, as the Harrington and Hirschy Ranches have donated colts to the Montana State University Equine Program & Sale in Bozeman, MT, the University of Montana-Western Natural Horsemanship Program and Sale in Dillon, MT, and the Treasure Valley Community College Equine Program in Ontario, OR.  Horses from the Harrington Hirschy program were also featured in the 2017 A Legacy of Legends Horsemanship Clinic in Fort Worth, which focuses on training in the styles of Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance. 

Our family shares a deep passion for horses, ranching, and the western way of life. We are proud of our heritage, grateful for the land and livestock entrusted to us, and committed to raising horses that can excel wherever they are asked to work.

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you enjoy learning more about our horses, our ranch, and our family’s story.

 

~Fred, Lynn, Murphy, Brooke, and Cate Hirschy, and Tyler Hedrick

~Shirley, Mark, and Barb Harrington