Tennessee Walker Snorty an accomplished field trial horse

Heh heh. Snorty also made many a rider change his mind about riding him by a sudden crow-hop forward and then bucking backward.

But, Snorty has a serious side he's very proud of too!

He's a Tennessee Walker or a “pussyfooter” as they call his kind in Oklahoma.

Snorty is 37 years old and has been to Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, New Mexico and Canada. He probably feels like he's spent half his lifetime in a trailer.

Snorty is one of the best “field trial” horses because he's worked hard at it.

Snorty's owner, Federal Judge Lee R. West, of Edmond (my uncle), is a bona fide, bird-dog “nut.” He's competed in field trial bird-dog hunting events for longer than Snorty is old. Many folks aren't aware that a “field trial” dog is a special kind of bird-dog that's matched with another dog and they have to hunt for birds. The first to find birds has to point at them while the other dog has to honor his find. They continue hunting to see who can find the most birds in a timed limit. The one who finds the most birds gets the glory. Those dogs run so fast and zigzag everywhere. Sometimes the hunt can span 10 to 15 miles. The owner can only keep up on horseback.