Gail Holmes of Double Dove Ranch in Ft. Worth, Texas, desires only the best. Daughter of the late Jim Holmes, Gail is rooted in the cutting horse breeding industry. In fact, the family’s most noted sire, Dual Rey (bred by Gail’s sister Linda), is an Equi-Stat Elite $42 Million Sire. It’s safe to say Gail understands that continued commitment to quality is what makes a breeding program great. With young stallion Smooth Talkin Style now in the breeding shed, Gail went on a search for the best possible feeding program for the horses at Double Dove Ranch. In 2018, she reached out to Bluebonnet Feeds nutritionist, Dr. Jyme Nichols.
Nichols recalls, “When Gail first reached out, I could tell she was not going to settle for casual nutrition recommendations. She was on a quest to take her breeding operation to a new level, and she understood how important nutrition was to the overall objective.” With the assistance of Bluebonnet nutrition consultant Reed Kyle, the two paid a visit to the ranch and got hands and eyes on every horse on the property. They collected forage samples, assessed body condition and muscle development, and listened to the challenges Gail was trying to overcome. After a lot of consideration and number crunching, the duo decided the best fit for Double Dove Ranch was Intensify® Growth & Development.
Bluebonnet Feeds understands that each operation is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Therefore, a team of 14 nutrition consultants are available for free evaluations of horses and programs—be it on the farm, over the phone or through email.
“Bone health and longevity were major concerns for Gail, so we decided to put all of the babies at Double Dove on a unique supplement called Bone + Joint which helps maximize bone strength during critical growth periods and will ultimately set these babies up for successful long-term careers,” explains Nichols.
Different horses at Double Dove have benefited from unique offerings in the Bluebonnet® family for amino acid support, digestive aid, and enhanced bloom.
Gail couldn’t be happier with the nutritional changes at Double Dove Ranch - “Since switching to Bluebonnet Feeds, visitors regularly comment on the great condition of the mares and foals at the ranch. In fact, I have referred several breeders to Bluebonnet Feeds.”
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. At time of press, Twice in Santiago, a Double Dove Ranch bred mare (Once in A Blu Boon x Twice As Reycy x Dual Rey) leads the 2020 Open Horse of the Year race. Gail praised, “I attribute her success in part to Bluebonnet Feeds, a great trainer/showman, and God!”
For more information on Bluebonnet Feeds or to schedule a consultation visit bluebonnetequine.com, and be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
About Smooth Talkin Style
Great young stallion, Smooth Talkin Style was born and raised on Double Dove Ranch in Ft. Worth, TX. Sired by Smooth As A Cat and out of Stylish Play Lena, Smooth Talkin Style was shown only 12 times over a 9 month period. He made his mark on the industry in that short time by making 9 finals, claiming 5 titles, and setting an all-time record to win Horse of the Year with 709 points.
Started by Wes Ashlock and finished and shown only by Lloyd Cox, “Talker” has a World Class Pedigree, World Class Mind, and World Class Confirmation. Accomplishments by Smooth Talkin Style include 2014 NCHA Futurity Open Reserve Champion, 2015 Arbuckle Mountain Open Champion, 2015 NCHA Open Super Stakes Co-Champion, 2015 Breeder’s Invitational Open Champion, and 2015 NCHA Open Horse of the Year.