Kenos Tomy TuTone

This photo was taken by Stephanie. NOT BAD!! Steph and Tomy presenting the American flag! Tomy is wondering if the bridge is edible!

Steph presenting the flag 5-2007 Courtesy photo. CLICK to enlarge Although he is now 21 years old, Tomy has an awesome story. He is a handsome Buckskin Tobiano who was a stallion until he was 10 years old. That is about the time when I met him. My dear friend Sam Madden was in search of a "special" horse to ride for her reign as Ms. Country Western 1997-98. Her horse had to be one who was cool under fire and whom she could trust her very safety to. This was because Sam is blind due to complications from diabetes. She refused to ride in a vehicle for parades so Tomy would have to be her eyes. He proved to be everything she was looking for and more! Sam soon re-gained the confidence she had before she lost her sight not only riding in parades but in the Grand entries as well. Of course she had to use an earpiece to be guided by someone but most of her trust was in Tomy. She took that a step further and started showing Western and English on him as well. Who would've thought you could take a 10 year old stallion, geld him and then hand him over to a blind woman? You can if he's a "Keno's" horse. Eventually, Sam decided it was time to move on to more of a challenge. Tomy was perfect in every way......almost too perfect. She wanted a horse a bit more green to learn with and to teach. Sam had been leasing Tomy, so his owner sent him to briefly live with a little handicapped girl. He then returned home to California where his son "Kenos Riverdance" is standing at stud (see his photos in my Stallion Links). After a few years she decided to sell him. The moment Sam sent that email I told her to tell them that he was SOLD! Tomy was delivered from California in early 2001 and this will be his last home. I have heard some stories of tough things he has been thru yet his personality still shines. He had been seriously injured and scarred in a trailer incident, yet he loads, unloads and would stand for hours in a trailer if asked to. He almost died as a baby. Apparently, he fell down a revine and was near death before he was found. You'd never know these things happened to him because he's such a loving horse, with the most amazing personality. Since being with us he was used for nearly a year with the Alpha & Omega Royal Mounted Courtesy Patrol where we mostly patroled the AZ Mills Mall on the weekends. Being so beautiful gives him a prescence that would draw many people to him during our patrols. He made one special friend in Billy who was confined to a wheel chair but got very excited when his mom told him they were going to see Tomy. We were also a part of the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tenessee. We patroled on the night shift and dealt with 80-100,000 people. I think that was his first experience with fireworks and he handled it like a champ just like he handled the trip there and back. We now use him for some leisure riding but mostly Stephanie uses him in some Western & English classes. Although Sam never was able to do Trail classes with him, Steph got a 2nd the first time she competed in that event. He loves his carrots and will smother you with kisses if he knows you have one. All I can say is that Tomy will now live out the rest of his life with us. If I could clone him I would. You can't beat a "Kenos" horse. Click here to meet Sam Madden The above link takes you to Sams home page. Riding with Blind site. The above link is a little piece about Sam and Tomy.

5-2008 Tomy has been being spoiled rotten at Sam's place.  She wanted to borrow him to make some new videos but after a few days of riding he started to limp.  Ralph has been working on his front feet to make him more sound WITHOUT shoes.  He has been improving so they have used him for a few lessons. Although, soon he will be off to California with Stephanie to do some Mounted Patrol at a fair.  Sam and Ralph feel he will be fine with that since it's dirt areas and he will only be walking.  She will take some boots for him just in case.  This should be a great experience for her and at least she will have our faithful Tomy to spend the days with.  I'm jealous I can't go.  LOL   2-2008 Tomy has been taking it easy this year.  Although, the walk, trot. slow lope class was not that tuff for him.  It's because Katie is now trying her hand with Jewel.  Sorry Tomy, but she wants to go faster.  Tomy was, however, the savior for little 6 year old, Kyla at this SSC event.  Her new horse was still too spunky for her so she got on Mr. Thomas for the first time ever and won 2 - 5th places just walking.  He did get into a trot but was a good boy.  I never doubt him at all.  Her mom hopes that will keep Kylas confidence up til she is able to ride her horse. 9-2007  Tomy had another great gymkhana for Katie in the novice class.  They got first in the Barrels again.  The 2nd event had such a tight turn that he basically stopped so they didn't get a ribbon.  They managed a 2nd in the Poles and that gave them enough points for another Hi Point.  Katie was very excited. 8-2007  Tomy was such a perfect gentleman at the SSC gymkhana.  Katie got a 1st in Barrels and a 2nd place in both the Big "O" and the Poles in the novice class.  They ended up with the Hi Point medallion!  No disqualification for going TOO fast.  His pace was absolutely PERFECT!!   5-2007 Never thought I'd hear these words....Tomy was disqualified at the SSC gymkhana for going too FAST!!!!!  Course it is only a slow lope class.  Even Sam was suprised.  For the slow lope class they set a target time and anyone going faster than it was out.  He got a little spunky coming home and just barely missed the mark.  Still funny! 12-24-2006 This was a tough day for us and Mr. Thomas.  Steph and I went out mid morning (hours after feeding) and happened to notice Tomy was lying down.  We were preparing to leave and would be gone until the evening hours. I went to pet him and Stephanie noticed he still had food left. I told her to get his halter as there was definately something wrong. Tomy doesn't stop eating til every last pellet is gone. We got him up and into the roundpen. He was very lathargic and I knew this wasn't good. I called my friend Tina who came over. She said there were gut sounds on one side and not the other. After a number of attmepts to get ahold of vets we finally made the decision to take him to Equestrian Veterinary Hospital.  He was treated for colic (flushed stomach, mineral oil, the usual) and we took him home. He was feeling much better. Turns out that due to the cool weather he wasn't drinking enough water. His salt block had been reduced to little chunks the week before. Scary to think that had we not seen him or recognized he wasn't his typical self that he could've been too far gone by the time we got home.  We are certainly thankful that he is back to his old self. Made Christmas day much more enjoyable. 8-2006  A friend did a search of all Tomy's babies and much to our (rolling on the floor with laughter) surprise.....he has a daughter with the registered name "Chunky Monkey" guess that runs in the family as well. 4-2006 Stephanie decided to compete on Tomy at the SSC April Horse show in English. She got 2nd in Equitation out of 7 riders. GREAT JOB! She went on to get 5th in Pleasure, and even the jumping class. Tomy was quite pokey in it. That gave everyone a good laugh when he walked over most of the jumps. He is moving great. His nickname for right now is Chunky Monkey. Still needs to loose a few pounds! 2-2006  Tomy's nerve block on his front legs went well.  He is moving very nicely now and doesn't seem to be experiencing any discomfort.  He now will get back into an exercise routine to lose some of that weight that he has gained.