The Horses - Lady and Honor

The horses you choose for a trip like this need to be extensively experienced trail horses, calm and not inclined to spook. They need to be able to stay levelheaded in a crisis and be in excellent physical shape.

I know of no breed better suited to this kind of trip than the Rocky Mountain Horse. Known for their love of people, their levelheadedness and their tendency not to spook, they are perfect trail horses for the mountains. They are gaited, which makes long rides easier on their rider. And they have strong hooves and sturdy bodies. ​
My stallion's name is Honor, and he is a ten-year-old, Perlino Rocky Mountain Horse. He is one of the calmest stallions I have ever worked with and wonderful on the trail. He's experienced at camping and polite around other horses, even mares in heat or other males. His Perlino coloring means he will be more prone to sunburn than other colors, so that will take a little more care than some. But his temperament and personality make up for any drawback there. Finally, I like the idea of having a stallion with me on this kind of a long trip. While all horses are pray animals, stallions have strong protective streaks and can provide additional protection to me and my mare.
My mare's name is Lady. She is a little old for this trip - just over 20 this year. But she is strong, big boned and in wonderful shape. She comfortably carries a pack or a rider. And she is completely devoted to me. In fact, she is the reason we realized that a Service Dog might be of some help to me. She taught herself to sense my crashes and began helping me manage my health while I was on the trail. She is invaluable and as long as she is up to the ride, I would want no other horse by my side. 

​
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...