Cuz, the (sea)horse whisperer

gramps and one of his palominos

My cousin who removed to Sarasota, Florida a few years back has made quite a name for himself in the marine biology field. Cuz was back in Indiana for a brief time after the holidays so we had a good time catching up.

The family has roots in the horse breeding industry; granddad had scads of horses on his farm with a couple of national champion palomino and quarter horse studs: Mr. Town Crier & Jackie Star. The last horse that remained on the farm was his favorite “Presley” an old palomino. My uncle continued in the horse biz, becoming one of the country’s leading horse photographers. (on left at left)

But it was my cuz who continued the breeding operation. After attending Ball State for marine biology, he did a stint at a private zoo in Missouri where he came face to face with towering grizzly that had escaped from its cage. He caught his break in Florida where his focus became breeding seahorses from which he supplies the little water-logged equine to aquariums across the country including Disney World.

But it’s his breeding technique that sets him apart. I figure its a little champagne, lights turned down low with Barry White playing in the background. Evidently seahorses in their natural environment continue to keep appendage-like features, but in aquariums quickly lose it. Cuz has a top secret method that allows them to maintain this and won’t share with anyone making him the subject of magazine and television editorials.

So it may not be like gramp’s operation, but it is impressive. Odd that a Hoosier would end up in Florida achieving recognition for such a seaworthy cause. Congrats!