Horse Travel Q&A

When we set off on this journey to live full-time on the road with our horses, we didn’t quite know what to expect. So, we reached out on social media, asking for your questions about life on the road, horse care, and living in a horse trailer with living quarters, and you delivered. Below, I’ll be answering those questions.

Our Horse Trailer Setup: Why We Chose It

Let’s start with a popular question: What do I think about our horse trailer RV setup, and did we consider other options?

We live in a horse trailer with living quarters. It’s fairly spacious, with a dinette for working, a large counter space, and a bathroom with a shower—though we rarely use the shower since it fills the gray tank quickly. We considered other options like motorhomes and truck campers, but they just didn’t provide the space or storage we needed for full-time living with horses.

Ultimately, our 2001 Gore horse trailer was the most spacious one we found, which made it the best fit for our year-long trip. If we were just weekend camping or traveling for a shorter period, I might have gone with a motorhome and a 2–3 horse trailer with a hay rack on top. But for our full-time needs, this living quarters trailer made the most sense.

My Husband’s Perspective on Horses

One funny question was whether Collin has developed a greater interest in horses. His answer? Not really. But he does have a greater appreciation and understanding of them now. He’s picked up on behavioral cues and developed a sense of how they operate, even if horses weren’t his passion to begin with. And as he said, “I’ll always support my horse girl.”

Wild Weather and Unexpected Challenges

Another big question: What’s the craziest weather we’ve experienced on the road?

That award goes to a windstorm we got stuck in while in the sand dunes of West Texas. Winds hit 50 mph, and it honestly felt like our trailer might tip over. We had to move the trailer for safety, and the horses were stuck outside in it because there was nowhere else to put them. The wind lasted for three days—it was intense. Surprisingly, we haven’t encountered major rainstorms, but that windstorm was unforgettable.

The One Thing We Never Want to Run Out Of

When asked what one thing we’d never want to run out of, I had two answers: hay and money. Hay can be hard to find and varies wildly in price. Horses can’t graze while traveling, so having an endless supply of hay would be a dream. But realistically, never running out of money would make this lifestyle a lot easier too.

Changes in the Horses

Have the horses changed since we started traveling?

Tucker, who’s 13 now, seems to have mellowed out—though he still has his quirky days. He snorted at nothing for an entire day recently. Ruach, now three, has always been adventurous and thrives in new environments. He has matured slightly, becoming more comfortable in stalls and smaller pens. But he’s still a rascal at heart, banging on gates at night when he’s annoyed with the weather.

Is Tucker the Ultimate Trail Horse?

He’s always been a great trail horse—willing and obedient. But one big realization from this trip is that not every horse is going to be dead-broke or bombproof. Tucker still has his quirks, like snorting at large rocks. Traveling the country hasn’t changed that part of his personality.

Turnout Struggles on the Road

Turnout can be tricky in this lifestyle. On the East Coast, few campgrounds have round pens or arenas. In the West, we’ve found more facilities with bigger pens. We also use an electric tape fence when possible. When facilities are limited, we make sure the horses are walked, lunged, or ridden every day. We try not to stay long in places without decent turnout options.

How to Get a Horse to Respect You

This brings us to a question I get often: How do you get a horse to respect you?

While I’ve moved away from the term “respect,” I now refer to it as setting boundaries. Horses, as prey animals, thrive on clear expectations and boundaries. Establishing those through groundwork is key to building trust and a strong relationship.

If you want to learn more, check out my Gain & Maintain Your Horse’s Respect Course. It walks you through groundwork techniques that help create a healthy, respectful relationship with your horse.

Monthly Expenses and Travel Timeline

Our monthly expenses vary, mostly depending on where we camp. Sometimes we stay on free Bureau of Land Management land. Other times, like this month, we may spend up to $600 on camping. On average, we spend between $2,500 and $3,000 per month. That includes horse feed, hay, monthly health certificates, and personal expenses.

We started this journey in September and plan to finish around July or August. We’ll hit Oregon next week, which has been our long-term goal.

Why Oregon Became Our Goal

We initially didn’t have a destination. But after financial stress (our business was hit hard by Google and AI changes) and Tucker colicking early in the trip, we needed a goal to stay motivated. Reaching the West Coast—and specifically Oregon—became that mission. Once we reach Oregon, we’ll head back east across the top of the country.

Life After Travel

After this trip, we plan to start a family and I’ll go back to school to finish my degree and eventually attend law school. We’re looking to buy a small property with a few acres—nothing big or fancy, just something affordable so we can live below our means and have more freedom with our time.

And no, we’re not getting rid of the horses. If anything, I’d love to pursue Dressage with Ruach. He’s already showing natural talent and balance. Once I’m pregnant, I plan to take in-hand lessons with him as a solid foundation.

The Best, Worst, and Most Surprising Places

• Worst: A sketchy campground in New York with Amish buggies blasting metal music and motorcycles drag racing at 1:00 AM. We left early.
• Best: Otter Creek in New York and Wind Creek State Park in Alabama. Absolutely stunning trails and beautiful scenery.
• Most Surprising: Alabama as a whole. Clean, scenic, and full of fantastic campgrounds. It defied all the negative stereotypes we’d heard.

Dream Destination

Someone asked about our dream place to travel with horses. My answer? Iceland. I’ve been before and would love to go back. While I can’t take my own horses there due to import restrictions, I’d love to ride across the country with the Able clan someday.

Final Thoughts

This journey has been full of surprises, challenges, and incredible experiences. We still have a lot of the country to see, and we’re thankful for your support along the way. If you’re interested in creating a deeper connection with your horse through groundwork, don’t forget to check out my Gain & Maintain Your Horse’s Respect Course.