What has two equal sides and a bottom twice as long as its top? Trick question. There are two answers. A trapezoid and a horse with perfectly balanced conformation. Those involved with evaluating horses recognize this ideal build as having a trapezoid shape. The horse’s underline is twice as long as the back, the top line should be level from the withers to the croup and the horse should have a sloping shoulder balanced with strong hind quarters.

Dan and Carol McWhirter own such a trapezoid. Their stallion, Absolute Investment, has such close to perfect conformation that he is often called the “the trapezoid horse.” Not only does this horse have an ideal build, superior movement and a sound mind, but he passes these characteristics to each of his offspring.

“He is our vision of perfection in a horse,” Carol said.

Because of the way Absolute Investment stamps his offspring with his traits, the McWhirters campaigned him with the saying, “Build with Absolute confidence.” Now, they are saying, “Buy with Absolute confidence” when talking about the more than 90 horses consigned to their complete dispersal sale, September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Neb.

Absolute Investment consistently produces quality offspring. More than half of the horses on the sale are either sired by him or are broodmares in foal to him. Even Absolute Investment, himself, is consigned to the sale. Not only are the genetics a reason for confidence, but every horse is sold with full disclosure and, with the exception of Absolute Investment, every McWhirter consignment will sell without a reserve. If Absolute Investment does not sell, he will continue to stand at Gumz Farms in Kentucky.

The McWhirters spent more than 30 years breeding and raising top quality American Quarter Horses, this includes two Hall of Fame Stallions, The Big Investment and The Invester along with longtime leading sire, Good Asset. These stallions and the success of their progeny earned Dan and Carol several AQHA Top Breeder rankings. In 2009, AQHA ranked them Top-5 in Performance point earners, Performance class winners and Halter class winners.

To produce these top-notch trapezoid horses, the McWhirters focus on three things: genetics, nutrition and nurturing. As far as genetics go, the McWhirters spent a lifetime perfecting their mare herd and identifying exactly which types of mares cross best with their top quality stallions. Forty of these mares are consigned to the sale.

“This fall the public gets to benefit from our years of trial and error. These mares are tried and true—they are my favorites,” Carol said. “Not only are they getting excellent mares, but every single mare we consigned is bred back to Absolute Investment, Absolutely No Doubt or Absolute Asset.”

While genetics lay the foundation for their horses, they understand that a horse must be cared for properly to perform to the best of its genetic potential. Because of this, the McWhirters feed only Progressive Feeds. Kelly Graber of Progressive feed says a horse’s soundness and ultimate physical ability starts with proper prenatal nutrition.

“Feeding the mares and foals properly leads to less osteochondrosis dissecans, or OCDs, and promotes an overall healthy horse in the long run. Carol has even told us that OCDs have been almost eliminated in her herd through years of following Progressive’s program,” Graber said.

Dr. Dennis Smith of Aurora Veterinary services has been working with the McWhirters for more than 20 years. In preparation for the sale, Dr. Smith has pulled blood work on 48 mares, foals, yearlings and two-year-olds out in the pasture. He said they had no problems handling any of the horses.

“I have had my hands on almost all of the horses on the sale and every single one is not only gentle, but in excellent condition,” Dr. Smith said. “Generally speaking, her horses have always been in great shape and I know for a fact that every single horse on the sale is being handled and worked daily.”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that allows you to buy with Absolute confidence. The auction starts at 4 p.m. September 18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Neb. A pre-sale party will be held September 17. Alan Parker Auctions is providing the sales management for the event; contact them at 813-220-4668. For more information on the dispersal sale contact Carol McWhirter at 402-744-8341 or 402-902-9283. Log on to www.DanMcWhirter.com for pictures and videos of each consignment.