Yellowstone paid homage to Dr Glenn Blodgett of the 6666 Ranch in last night’s episode (January 1, 2023), as a title card in tribute to the late equine doctor aired at the end.
The midseason finale of Paramount hit Yellowstone aired on New Year’s Day and picked up where we left off before Christmas with tensions brewing between Jamie (Wes Bentley) and his family.
The episode also introduced viewers to the 6666 Ranch for the first time. We pick up with Jimmy (Jefferson White), who was sent off to the 6666 for some discipline. It gave viewers a glimpse of the Texan ranch, which is real, unlike Yellowstone. This is where Dr Glenn Blodgett was based for his work.
So, as Yellowstone viewers are curious to know about what happened to Dr Blodgett, let’s take a look at his life and work.
Who was Dr Glenn Blodgett?
Dr Glenn Blodgett was born on December 21, 1948 to a family of farmers. Hailing from Spearman, Texas, Blodgett would grow up to become a leader in the American Quarter Horse industry and a pioneer in equine theriogenology (study of horse reproduction, or horse breeding).
Blodgett, or “Doc” as he was known, got his first horse, Smokey, at the age of 10. This developed an early passion to become a veterinarian.
After leaving school, Blodgett attended Texas Tech University for a year before moving across to Oklahoma State University (OSU). Blodgett obtained a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from OSU. He then attended Texas A&M, completing his veterinary training by 1974, around the age of 25.
Blodgett returned to his hometown of Spearman to open Hansford County Veterinary Hospital alongside Dr Tom Latta.
How Dr Glenn Blodgett started working on the 6666 Ranch
Unlike Yellowstone, the 6666 Ranch (Four Sixes Ranch) is a real working ranch found in King County, Texas. Dr Glenn Blodgett had been associated with the working ranch since the early 1980s.
In 1982, Anne Marion of Burnett Ranches sought out Dr Glenn Blodgett to join the 6666 Ranch as the resident vet and manager of the ranch’s horse division.
Throughout the Marion-Blodgett partnership, they developed a world-class horse breeding operation which produced some of the best race, performance, and working ranch horses in the world. In 1993, Blodgett helped the Four Quarters Ranch secured the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Best Remuda Award.
Glenn Blodgett’s connection to the Yellowstone world explained
It’s hard now to untangle the 6666 Ranch from Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. In January 2022, Sheridan and a group of investors reportedly completed the purchase of the ranch.
Previously, Sheridan said of the purchase: “I can’t comment on a pending transaction but I will say this: the legacy of the 6666 Ranch and Miss Marion’s vision for the ranch are vital not only to the ranch itself, but the rich heritage of ranching in Texas. This legacy is so important to me I chose to highlight it in the upcoming season of ‘Yellowstone’ and will continue to further the legacy and preserve its operations in a manner consistent with that great vision.”
The Four Sixes Ranch had been under the ownership of Anne Marion, the great-granddaughter of its founder, Burk Burnett.
The ranch has featured on Yellowstone, but a Four Sixes spinoff is also in the works. With Dr Glenn Blodgett working for the team at 6666 Ranch, he became close to the Sheridans and the whole Yellowstone family.
What happened to Dr Glenn Blodgett?
On November 20, 2022, Dr Glenn Blodgett was died after complications from surgery. His passing came just shy of one month before his 74th birthday.
A statement confirming his death was announced on Facebook, on the official 6666 Ranch page. This is the same statement as shared by Taylor Sheridan’s wife, Nicole, on Instagram.
“It is with great sadness the 6666 Ranch announces the passing of Dr. Glenn Blodgett,” the statement opens. “Doc to all who knew him, has managed the horse division for forty years. His impact on the performance horse industry and the quarter horse itself, will likely outlive us all. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and deeply mourned by his 6666 family.”
