Traveling Horse About Us

My amazing horse 'Whiskey' (show name-'Three Jets Mystery')

(pictures) (Arab/TB/QH.....your basic hothead!) and I started

out from the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota. All he

knew when we first met was cutting cattle and running

barrels (grandson of 'Three Jets' = adrenalin junkie!). In

Minneapolis suburbs, after lots of calming (yeah, right!)

arena work, we did western shows and miles of trails. Whiskey required an unorthodox approach to horse show preparation.....before his beauty treatment I would take him out for a high speed 20 miler a day or two before a show. Then he could jog trot and canter in place in the show ring. 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.

After a few years I gave up on western shows and went with Whiskey's natural talents. We added jumping (he talked me into it!), dressage and many more miles of endurance trails, scaring up deer at high speed across the meadows and playing in the MN lakes! He craved variety with a heart and spirit that wouldn't quit.....he made me whole. Whiskey was very proud of all he had learned and assumed all applause was meant for him as he struck a pose!! 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 other horses doing western pleasure. 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 and protective! 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 unnessesary 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 pop up in the past couple years!

With a heavy heart after Whiskey died (March 22, 2004 at the age of 26.....but still beautiful and spirited!) I started looking for my next horse. Breeders I spoke with said they also got lost in the search engines, just like the transporters and stables had told me along the way. Well, that was my cue to add a breeders directory to my web site.

In case you're wondering.....yes, I found an elegant young Morgan gelding from Canada named 'Imperial Phantom', (pictures). He earned the title Traveling Horse II just getting to me mid-summer 2004 and I think he's already figuring out that we are a pair on the move. I've always heard that Morgans are "easily offended".....I now know what that means to the fullest extent!!! I've had to work hard to earn Phantom's trust and respect but I think I found another true friend as he has 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 actually lies awake at night pondering and will make a point of showing me that he decided he's now OK with a recent issue. I've learned to give him the time he needs to get comfortable with new things and make a decision. He may have faith in me but HE DECIDES FOR HIMSELF.....yup, he's a Morgan!!

With bloodlines from both the sporthorse and park types of Morgans, Phantom's elegant carriage and floaty trot make him a natural for the dressage ring!! I recently brought him to the upper midwest so I could train him in the type of dressage environment that I came from. I know my Canadian boy will be fine but I expect to freeze.....the things I do for my horse!!

(Update) Can you believe it's the humid midwest heat that we're both suffering from? I'm taking 'eskimo boy' to the west coast now!! Phantom's breeder said he would often just stop playing and stand looking at the horizon, like he wanted more in his life than running across the acres and raising weanlings. Be careful what you ask for!!!

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 many emails 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')