Feburary 2010 Horse Gazette Newspaper Feature Article

L&T Paint Horses…A Bright Future
Article by Marilyn E. Short, Photos by Robbin Cresswell

L&T Paint Horses is not only new to the San Antonio horse scene, but also in the slow economy, it’s thriving. L & T Paint Horses, owned by Lynn Struthoff is a 310-acre ranch located just northeast of San Antonio. The scenic ranch is diversified with American Paint Horses, Longhorn cattle and horse quality hay production.

Along with a historic stone barn and beautiful rock walls that run throughout the ranch, L&T Paint Horses completed construction on a new barn in April 2009 and opened its doors to the special guests on October 16, 2009 to celebrate its opening. Potential clients and VIPs from the central Texas horse-industry were treated to BBQ and dancing under the stars with music by “Two Way Street”. The highlight of the evening was touring the barn and L&T Paint Horses office.

Built by The Struthoff Company, the barn is constructed with white stone and metal roof. Entering through the covered entry, which has the ranch logo and brand inset in the tile entry of the barn into the office, guests found the office warmly decorated in deep rich brown tones of leather and stained Pecan wood. The horse area of the barn features quality built Classic Equine E
equipment stalls, Nelson automatic watering system and a state-of-the-art Barn Logix monitoring system.

The Barn Logix is a computerized, automated system with remote monitoring capabilities from laptop or cell phone. The system allows for automated lighting and fans for energy conservation and also allows for individual tracking of management records, vet or farrier schedules and feeding schedules for each horse by Mike Schmitz, the ranch hand for the horses.

Shannon Bray is the trainer at L&T. Shannon’s experience ranges from the show pen to the rodeo pen, along with conducting clinics and lessons.

She halter breaks all the babies, teaching them to tie, lead, bathe, clip, go on the hot walker and stand for the farrier. That preparation gets them ready to stand up in the show ring. If the youngsters are still at the ranch by the time they reach 2-years-old, she will start saddling and driving them in preparation for Bo Phillips of Phillips Training puts the first 30-60 rides on the horses.

“We like to give our horses every opportunity to excel in the event that is right for them,” said Shannon. “Our main goal is to sell them as weanlings and yearlings, occasionally keep one a bit longer to start under saddle and maybe to on with.”

Shannon, along with Tess Shelton, a junior at Samuel Clemens - FFA Member make up the L&T Show Team.
Shannon Bray, Trainer at L&T with Encores Big En Rich (APHA & PBHA)

“My training goal is for a horse that you can stand in a stall for a week or turn out for a year and just get on and go, without lounging or getting bucked off,” said Shannon. “A solid, steady horse is one you can put anyone on, young or old and the horse will do his or her job without hesitation and will make up for rider mistakes.”

The horses on the ranch are all APHA registered and each horse is evaluated to his or her individual talent whether it’s Halter, Performance, Cutting, Reining or Barrels.

Back L-R: Teri Shelton, Mike Schmitz and Tess Shelton. Front L-R: Shannon Bray and Lynn Struthoff

The breeding program is very diverse at L&T with some of the hottest bloodlines around. “We’re very selective of the mares we’ve purchased,” said Teri Shelton, the “T” in L&T Paint Horses, who assists with all facets of the horse operation. “We choose what we believe to be solid bloodlines for both mares and stallions.”

The pedigrees at L&T are impressive, with multiple World and Congress Champions such as Hot Scotch Man, Kid Clu, Obvious Conclusion, Skippa Star, Barlink Macho Man, Doc’s Oak, Doc Bar, Smart Little Lena, Mark This Spot, Hot Shines On, Zippo Pine Bar, Radical Rodder and Hot Roddin Zip to name a few.

One of the ranch favorites is SR Simply Roddin Real, aka “Pierre.” Pierre was foaled March 10, 2009 and is by Roddin Real out of Colorado. He is truly a colorful spitting image of his sire.

Gabby; a 16.2 hand APHA mare is the most challenging horse on the ranch. “I suppose a lot of horse owners have a “Houdini”, and Gabby is ours,” said Lynn. “She opens doors and gates all around the ranch.”

With the lull in the horse industry, L&T have picked up some phenomenal mares and look for conformation, complimentary traits, show records and progeny from the stallions they contract.

“Our goal at L&T is to produce the best possible offspring from top genetics in the American Paint Horse Breed,” stated Lynn.

L&T Paint Horses is well on their way to becoming a respected breeder of quality American Paint Horses. Lynn’s daughter Jenna Struthoff, graduate of A&M heads up the marketing and website development for Longhorns and the Paint Horse operation. You will find our site to be very informative.

For more information, call Shannon at 210-364-3430 or visit www.struthoff-ranch.com.