My amazing horse 'Whiskey' (I gave him a more respectable
show name of 'Three Jets Mystery') (pictures) (Arab/TB/QH.....
your basic hothead!) and I started our journey together in the
early '80's from the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota.
When I bought him at age 6, all he knew was cutting cattle
and running barrels (grandson of 'Three Jets' = adrenalin junkie!).
His mind was Arab, his heart was TB and people often recognized his 'Three Bars' cheeks. I joked that he was 100% each of Arab and TB. Without a doubt, he was
'too much horse' for most people's taste but he was perfect for me!
In Minneapolis suburbs, after lots of calming (yeah, right!) arena work, we did western shows and miles of trails. Whiskey required a rather unorthodox approach to horse show preparation. Before his beauty treatment, I'd take him out for a 10-20 mile trail ride (run). Then he could 'come down' enough to jog trot and canter slower than the QH's. He had the heart of a racehorse, jumped like a deer and spooked like an Arab!! Being only 20 years apart in age, I thrived on his power and spirit! He showed me true loyalty and profound devotion......and a level of chivalry that you only see in movies. For 20 years, I was honored and blessed to be his partner.
Eventually, I gave up on western shows and went with Whiskey's natural talents. We added jumping (he talked me into it!), dressage and many miles of endurance trails, scaring up deer at high speed across the meadows and playing in the MN lakes....my Minnesota horse did love splashing in the water! He craved variety with a heart and spirit that wouldn't quit.....he made me whole. And oh did he love to learn new things!! Whiskey was very proud of all he'd learned over the years, assuming all applause was meant for him as he struck a pose!! I never had the heart to tell him that sometimes the applause was actually meant for someone else. Frankly, after studying dressage under William 'Bill' Solyntjes' (USDF 'S' judge) keen eye in the early 90's, I think Whiskey deserved his proud attitude and ego. A hock ailment put a stop to our regular lessons with Bill and convinced me to not pursue dressage test shows. But after it healed, I continued to school him up to a solid 3rd level, with canter half passes and 2 stride lead changes thrown in just for fun. I didn't want to risk pushing for shows but we both enjoyed accomplishing new higher level movements. I couldn't have asked for a better horse to learn with. He seemed very aware that he was well educated and loved showing off....as long as I gave him plenty of excitement mixed in to balance things out!!
We once did a horse expo where we first demonstrated jumping and dressage. Then did a fast change and went back out to demonstrate western bridle path as compared to the QH's doing western pleasure. Dressage training made him better at everything. I always said "He's the most over-educated, unbroke horse on earth!" He asked me never to break his spirit and I never would. But the things I could ask of him still amaze me today. He owned me as much as I owned him and he was possessive. In many ways, I was the alpha mare and he was the protective stallion.
I have one big rule in my life....you never sell a truly great horse! So he saw a lot of the country as we moved around....that's how he became the 'Traveling Horse'. After many years in the Minneapolis area we headed east to the Door County Peninsula (Chicago resort area) surrounded by Lake Michigan and Green Bay, then adjusted the compass and headed west. We lived in 4 northern states in 3 different time zones, finally settling in the well known Flathead Valley of NW Montana between Glacier National Park, Big Mountain (ski resort) and Flathead Lake. Gorgeous country in the northern Rocky Mountains. Our weather came from Seattle so there were milder winters for Whiskey's older years.....well, milder than Minnesota anyway!!
Experience showed me how difficult it was to find transport companies and stables in my current/future areas. I've always felt that personal contact with any business is a must before entrusting them with the care of my horse. I've never trusted transport brokers, who I considered unnecessary middle men that caused communication breakdowns and a lack of accountability. I'd often wished there was one, good place to locate transporters directly. Word of mouth works well if you live in the same place for years and build up a network of horse people but not for professionals who relocate more often with limited time to search. I was determined to do something someday to make finding transport less of a hassle for the horse owners (including me!). You might say I was on a mission! I guess I did something right with my website because I've seen a lot of Traveling Horse imitators come and go over the years!
With a heavy heart after Whiskey died (March 22, 2004, age 26, but still impressive and spirited), I started looking for my next horse. This time around, I wanted a calmer, more patient horse that was better designed for dressage. While Arabians had always told me I was an Arab person, I was now 46 and realistic about what type of horse I needed beneath me. As a child, my dream horse was a Morgan and I was determined to find just the right one. I found an elegant 5 yr. old Morgan in Canada named 'Imperial Phantom', (pictures). He earned the title Traveling Horse II just getting to me mid-summer 2004 and I think he quickly realized that we are a pair on the move. I'd often heard that Morgans are 'easily offended' and I now understand what that means to the fullest extent!! I had to work very hard to earn Phantom's trust and respect but I think I found another true friend as he's now claimed me as his 'one person for life'. He is a very gentle soul and by far the most sensitive, emotional horse I've ever known. He'll actually lie awake at night pondering things and will make a point of showing me that he decided he's now OK with a recent issue. Since I'm all logic and he's all emotion, we come from opposite ends of the spectrum. But eventually we found our own private language. He learned how to communicate with me in his own subtle way and I learned how to read him. I've also learned to give him the time he needs to get comfortable with new things and make his decisions. He may have faith in me but he decides for himself.....yup, he's a Morgan!!
From excellent Brunk and Government bloodlines (sport horse and park types of Morgans), Phantom's elegant carriage and floaty trot make him a natural for dressage!! Even his mind is well suited since he 'takes comfort' in the familiar, rather than becoming impatient. I brought him to the upper Midwest for a couple years to train him in the type of dressage environment that I came from. I knew my Canadian boy would be fine but I expected to freeze.....the things I do for my horse!!
Can you believe it was the hot, humid summers that we both suffered from most in Minnesota? Now 'Eskimo boy' and I are on the west coast! Phantom's Canadian breeder told me he'd sometimes stop playing and just stand looking at the horizon, as though he wanted more in his life than just running wild and free across the vast acres and raising the year's weanlings. I like to think he was up there scanning the horizon looking for me, waiting for the day when I'd be ready for him. But be careful what you ask for!! Phantom has now lived in 2 countries, 4 states and 3 time zones in our first 5 years together, all before reaching his 10th birthday! Good thing he sees me as his 'world'. Last year, Phantom's breeder told me they still miss him up there. He's the type of horse that puts a permanent stamp on the hearts of people who he feels are worthy. I feel fortunate that he's willing to journey through life with me now.
My goal in creating Traveling Horse was to provide a useful, valuable service for horse owners as well as horse related businesses. I've received so many emails from kind horse owners thanking me for creating my web site. Horse people really do appreciate finding decent transport companies without all the hassles (that I remember so well). Although my website continues to evolve, I expect Traveling Horse will always be best known for locating transporters, which is where it began. It makes me feel good to see I've really accomplished what I set out to do.
"Thank you for visiting my web site....Jeannie"
In loving memory of 'Whiskey' (1978-2004).....the original Traveling Horse.
(grandson of 'Three Jets'......my loyal friend, he did it all with heart!!)
Introducing 'Imperial Phantom', elegant Morgan who already earns the title Traveling Horse II.
(son of 'Royal Senator', grandson of 'Windhover Regency' & 'Troutbrook Top Brass')
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