Stars Bright Totem, IPAA F4-11, 2001 gelding

owned by Linda Hokanson,

Edson, Alberta, Canada

International Purebred Appaloosa Association Feature Horse April 2011

What is his barn name? How did she get his barn name?

His barn name is Totie. The toads were singing so happily in the pond beside the foaling field the morning he was born and my daughter wanted to call him "Toadie" - I was not keen for that as you can imagine! Totie was close and short for Totem....Kristin, my son Joe and my sister had stayed up all night watching Babe (Mighty Red and Totie's dam) because we knew she was in stage 1 labor. Kristin was determined to get the complete foaling on video. Totie arrived at approximately 6:30 AM on a beautiful sunny morning. She got fantastic video of his arrival. I had had a great sleep, had to work in the morning so was able to deliver the foal and got to work in time!

What are his skills/training?

He is an Indian Shuffler so can travel far very fast and comfortably. We have clocked his flat walk at about 9 mph. When he is allowed to choose his pace, everyone with me is riding at the trot while he is still walking.  I use him primarily on the trail, but he has experience as a ranch horse, has done several large organized rides, did demos at the Mane Event representing the Appaloosa horse, we have participated in two Horsemanship clinics with Josh Nichol, our first Working Cow Horse clinic last weekend. All of his training has been with me.

Tell us something special and/or funny about him.

Totie entered the world a very precocious fellow. He has grown up to be a very opinionated guy with a great sense of humor. He loves to question the things I ask of him but tends to be easily convinced to come to my way of thinking. He is totally loyal and my trusted friend. We have a very special and strong bond. He likes to rattle the gate from the pasture to get my attention, he thinks that if he does it with enough enthusiasm I will surely bring him in and do something together. He left his food one time to attack a much too brave coyote that was giving me problems....it wasn't brave enough to challenge the big guy! Totie will also smile on cue for me and show off all his grass stained teeth.LOL 

What is his favorite treat and what is the oddest thing that he likes to eat?

He loves horse krunch (don't think you have it in the US) and doesn't have any unusual tastes.

What plans do you have for him?

I technically should be selling him because he is much too tall for me at my age and is a bit hard to mount without a mounting block. But, my heart is ruling here and I enjoy him so much that he will probably stay for a long time. We will continue our journey of learning whatever comes along, maybe get to try some Cattle Penning and more WCH. Would like to try the Greatest Canadian Trali Horse Challenge, but we will see. Would also like to do at least one 25 mile endurance ride next summer if I can put enough conditioning on him over the winter. My Totes is a true gentle and kind giant.