Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 started off as a normal day at Varian Arabians in Arroyo Grande, CA. That is until breeding manager, Angela Alvarez, found that two of the farms prized breeding mares had been shot.
 
Sweet Sanadika V (*Sanadik El Shaklan x Sweet Inspiration V), a 20-year-old mare suffered wounds so serious that she was put to sleep. The second horse, Mosquerade V (Huckleberry Bey++ x Moska), a 25-year-old mare, was also shot but is expected to recover.

Investigators believe that the shooting was not accidental. It appears the shots were fired from the roadway and a getaway driver was involved. This is a felony animal cruelty case and the responsible parties could spend time behind bars. 

Farm owner, Sheila Varian, is well known throughout the equine industry having been in the breeding and training business for more than 50 years and typically has about 150 horses on the property. The farm hosts two open houses each year. A favorite amongst visitors has always been the ³Mare Walk² which allows them to stroll the fields among the grand dams of the breeding program.

Members of the Arabian horse community have rallied to gather monetary donations in an effort to see justice served. A reward is being offered for
the offenders that committed the horrific crime. It is being handled by Crime Prevention Center, San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office. If anyone would like to donate money to the fund please contact Angela Alvarez at angelaalv@aol.com, so she can provide you with the information.