"Sage and I crossed more than 20 mountain ranges and every valley in between"
Ryan was the pack mule for the journey, driving his own route each day to meet us with feed, water, and supplies. Water and feed were the biggest logistical concern. Because Sage was burning so many calories, I let him eat as much as he wanted, up to 40 pounds a day. He also drank 20-30 gallons of water a day. That much feed and water meant Ryan spent a considerable amount of time driving to resupply. With almost non-existent cell service, Ryan and I couldn’t communicate with each other. We had to rely on our maps and hope we found each other each day.
Sage and I crossed more than 20 mountain ranges and every valley in between. We endured blistering heat, fierce winds, torrential rain, and snow. We had up-close encounters with elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, foxes, and badgers. We were charged by territorial wild stallions nearly every day. We traced historic emigrant routes and explored the ruins of long-forgotten ghost towns. We struggled with obstacles, delays, and detours. We enjoyed breathtaking views. Gear broke down or got lost. We saw stunning sunrises and sunsets.
It would be impossible to describe everything that happened during our journey without writing a novel. Each day was full of surprises, challenges, scares, and joys. There were moments when I wasn’t sure I could continue. There were moments when I was sure we go on forever. I never knew what to expect from one day to the next -- except the unexpected. The reality is that living on the trail is equal parts frustration and enjoyment. Perhaps that’s part of the appeal. You discover what you’re made of on a long ride, when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Long riding is a powerful bonding experience between horse and rider. For nearly three months, I was never more than a few feet away from Sage. Each day we struggled together. Each day we succeeded together. By the end of our journey we were of one mind, completely in sync. You learn a lot about your horse and vice versa, when you spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week together. That bond is crucial on a long distance ride because you aren’t just a passenger on a horse. You have to be a team to get through the challenges together.
Long riding is also the most intimate way to get to know a place, the nuances and changes of the land. When you travel at 3mph you see everything. You begin to notice the little details of the world around you - the rocks, insects, flowers, grasses - and how they change from mile to mile. The quiet and the solitude becomes comfortable and familiar. You begin to feel a connection with nature and with yourself. I found I didn’t miss the internet, news, and other distractions. I just wanted to keep going.
At the end of October 2016, Sage, Bella, and I ended our epic journey. We rode into Reno to the applause and cheers of a crowd of supporters. But returning home was much harder than I expected it to be. After so long on the trail, Sage and I had become accustomed to the routine of travel and the quiet of the wilderness. Civilization seemed too crowded and too noisy for me. Sage seemed anxious back in his pasture with nothing to do. It didn’t take long before I began to miss the trail. I’m already looking at maps and working on plans for my next ride.
To learn more about our adventures, visit www.NevadaDiscoveryRide.com.
To learn more about adopting a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov.
To learn more about the Long Riders’ Guild, visit www.thelongridersguild.com.