At about 29 years old, Chama is our herd patriarch, has been with us the longest, and forever has my heart!

He was adopted through Walkin’ N Circles Ranch, right here in Edgewood, NM. He was gathered in Northern NM with his band of mares and foals. He was a wild stallion for 13+ years of his life. When I met him at WNCR in 2013, he was still a stallion, and I immediately fell in love with this tough guy. I saw something in Chama no one else had seen – true to his name (Chama means ‘little boy’ in Spanish), there was a sweet soul buried beneath all the toughness. 

He is not the perfect horse, I do not want him to be, but we have a deep connection and understanding of each other. I just cannot imagine life without this guy!

Mandy is definitely the boss around here! She is a beautiful 18+ year old Dun mare. She is an amazing trail partner!

She was also adopted through Walkin’ N Circles Ranch. The only thing I know about her history is that she was picked up along a road somewhere in New Mexico. She has taught me more than any other horse ever has and probably ever will! She is also the toughest horse I have ever met, or my vet has ever met! Just a day or 2 before this photo, she had 17 staples removed from her ear. The vet had to use extra sedation to even get her to relax! But get her out on a trail, and she is all business.

We have built a strong partnership and relationship over the 7+ years we have been together. I am looking forward to the many years we have left together!

Oh Preacher! There are just not enough words and time to say all the many things I love about this guy. I mean, look at him! He is beautiful, intelligent, and just loves to play!

He was adopted from the BLM through a trainer in Georgia who gentled then saddle trained him for me. He is originally from the Lost Creek, Wyoming HMA. He is now about 8 years old, but he still loves to play! He is also a big guy, likely had some draft genes from somewhere in his lineage. And he is such a gentle giant! I think just about anyone could ride him, as long as you can keep from rolling in the water or mud! He tried that on me once, I was not getting wet that day!

Even for his size, Preacher is the biggest baby. He becomes scared when he is alone, which I first thought was aggressive behavior. It turned out he just didn’t want to be alone!