The Lengths People Go to Show Their Love of Horses

By: Brittany Bevis

Horse owners are some of the most passionate people in the world, dedicated to everything related to their beloved, four-legged counterparts. Sometimes, this equestrian love is manifested in unique ways: a home decorated with entirely too many win pictures, the practice of wearing boots and breeches… everywhere, having more photos on your phone of your horses than of your children.

For Kenny Strohecker, a farrier and horse trainer from Salem, Oregon, his love of the American Paint Horse took a more permanent route with an APHA-themed tattoo that’s  proudly displayed on his right arm. Kenny’s love of the Paint Horse began when he was just a child and now encompasses four generations.

“My Mom and Dad raised horses when I was little,” he says. “It must have been 68′ or 69′ when they got together. We had a lot of Appaloosas growing up, and then my Mom got him into Paints. That’s where I ended up. I did some Quarter Horses off and on, and we showed a lot of Pintos as well, but I was raised with Paint Horses, and the industry has been very good to me. I love the Paint Horse, and I love the color.”

Kenny not only raises and shows his own horses, he participates in multiple disciplines. “I do all-around horses, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and Halter. In my opinion, we’ve specialized too much. I believe a horse can Halter and ride, so that’s what I do.”

The family tradition that began with Kenny’s parents has now been passed along to his son, Austin, and grandson, Harrison. “Austin is also a farrier. He started with me when he was 18 years old, and he’s going to be 24 now. He shoes horses full-time and helps me by riding and showing Halter Horses.”

As for that infamous tattoo, Kenny never dreamed it would become such a conversation piece. “I guess I’d have to say I’ve always wanted a tattoo. It took me 40 years to get up the courage to get one! I never knew what I wanted. Anyone can get a skull or something like that. A buddy of mine, that I used to ride Harleys with, knew I wanted a tattoo. He said to get something that has influenced my life, and that’s when I knew. Immediately, APHA came to mind.”

Kenny didn’t just want the text to read APHA; he wanted the exact logo with the proper font and shading. “I took the logo to a really, good tattoo artist, and he did his magic. I wanted people to know it was definitely APHA’s logo when they saw it. I had no intention [of it becoming a conversation piece]… People ask me about it all the time. Some people don’t get it, but I didn’t get it for them; I got it for me. I’ve thought about getting another. It would probably be something horse-related.”

Kenny is very pleased with the photo that was taken by APHA staff at the recent 2017 APHA World Championship Show, primarily because it pictures one of his favorite horses, Total Venture, a yearling stud colt that’s owned by client, Bonnie Lassen. “He’s an amazing horse. He’s probably the best Halter horse I’ve ever had, and I’ve had some good ones. We bought him when he turned a yearling, but I’ve known the colt since he was a weanling.”

“He’s structurally correct from top to bottom and front to back. He’s very strong through his back and legs. He has a great brain and is balanced overall with no holes. There’s no perfect horse, but he’s very close.”

Do you know someone who has taken their love of horses to the extreme? Tell us about it by emailing B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com!