emrmorganshistory

Marvin and Bertie Radtke purchased the
home portion of the Radtke Ranch LLC in
1948, located at Hall, MT. Previously a sheep
ranch owned by the Dooly brothers, my
parents formed it into a cattle operation.

My grandfather, F.E. Radtke, raised
Percheron draft horses in North Dakota. He
would cross some of these horses to
Morgans. Because my father had been
around these part Morgan horses he
wanted to raise Morgans. Some of our
cattle are moved twenty miles from home
and are summered in the mountains so Dad
wanted big and free moving horses.

The mare he chose for his foundation was named Leota, by Red Racer. A mare that
fit all his requirements. I purchased her filly, who was by Madi Canfield. These mares
started both our breeding programs. They were bred to Luzan, by Juzan, by Jubilee
King. The resulting offspring were extremely athletic, very uphill and sensible; as well
as very good ranch horses.

After many years with Luzan, Dad purchased Joe Daly, by Domino Joe, by Stetson,
another big mover. Joe Daly increased the size of our horses even more, and maybe
put a little more trot in them.

Our senior stallion now is Iron Forge Starman. Valerie and I looked at many Morgans
before we found him. The Helms, who we purchased Starman from, were and are
great people to work with. Starman is by Iron Forge Be Blue, by Something Blue, by
HVK Santana. His bottom side is very strong Jubilee King via the Cambridge horses.

We are very pleased with Starman, his disposition is impeccable and he is very
trainable. This is proven by his consistently high scores in dressage and also by his
offspring that are being shown in dressage, jumping and driving.

We are very fortunate to have two trainers in our family. Our son, Brad, starts most
of our young horses. He trained under Curt Pate. Sally, our daughter, is a
professional dressage trainer. I feel I am becoming a professional stall cleaner!