M bar Z Ranch was established in 2015 by Steven "Scott" Zunker and Tim Montgomery. Scott began raising registered Texas Longhorns in 2003 under the name of Box Z Ranch. Tim brings over twenty years of equine experience with several National Championships to his name.
Today the ranch features the combination of registered Texas Longhorns and registered performance horses. Tim and Scott have joined together in competing in equine events and rodeos. Andrew Montgomery helps around the ranch and has shown his talent showing Texas Longhorn cattle at Champion level.
After a year-long search traveling throughout northern New Mexico and southern Colorado a new ranch location was selected in northern New Mexico at Ocate in Mora County, which is located in the golden triangle north of Santa Fe, southeast of Taos / Angel Fire and northwest of Las Vegas, New Mexico (the original Las Vegas). Ocate is a Tewa Indian word meaning "port of the air" or "valley of the wind".
The ranch location is in one of the most beautiful areas in North America, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains which is the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains and is home to some of the cleanest water and air in the Western Hemisphere. This area is full of culture, customs, heritage, history and pride; plus wonderful food, art, jewelry, festivals, hunting, hiking, fishing, birding, snow skiing and other outdoor activities. The Santa Fe Trail, Mountain Branch, crosses the Ocate River (Creek) just east of Ocate and a mile north of State Hwy 120 at what was once known as Calhoun's Crossing.
The front section of the ranch is located within the northern boundary of the Historic Mora Land Grant, while the back section of the ranch rises up to over 9000 feet onto the Galinas Mesa. Year round Ocate Creek winds its way through the ranch and the La Acequia De Las Piedras Coloradas traverses the ranch providing irrigation for the land.
The area is often referred to as "the frontier" but the pride and sense of community is alive and refreshing. Mora County is home to many old historic Churches, Missions and Moradas that have served the people for hundreds of years as many can trace their families back the Conquistadors from Spain and the native Tewa and Plains Indians. Legend has it that part of the original adobe ranch house for the M - Z Ranch was a Morada that served what was known as the Galinas Community.
While today Texas Longhorns and performance horses are the main focus of the ranch. There are plans for new additions and adventures in the future. Stay tuned and check back often to see the progress.