Faith Martin Adventures: Episode #1 From Tri-Cities to Ogden, Utah

You've heard me talk about it for years:

I just can't handle the cold during the winter months. I seem to stay happier and healthier if I can get outside and do all the things I love like walking, hiking, riding horses, and playing music!

(Be sure to scroll down to watch the embedded videos and get the real inside scoop of this adventure firsthand. Sometimes you need to wait a few seconds for them to load)

Faith Martin Adventure Episode #1 (Pictures and Videos to follow)

I want to spend the worst of winter someplace warm

I chose Apache Junction Arizona to travel to because I've heard there are lot of great riding trails. And I really want to focus on getting me and my horses back in shape and spending quality time with them and my dogs while enjoying the sunshine!

I took off from Tri-Cities a few days ago in the pouring rain and made it to Idaho for my first night. I ran into some snow and fog in Oregon but nothing too serious.

Traveling Papers are necessary to cross state lines.

With the help of Double Arrow Veterinary Clinic in Pasco, I got my Health Certificate, for both horses, Coggins test, and immunizations in a very timely manner so I could leave town before the weather worsened.

I bought a new half-moon water container from Pasco Ranch and Home that lays down.

Faith

I lugged it up onto the top of my horse trailer! (I should have shown a video of me getting it up there! That was hilarious) It's a great water tank and I was so glad Ranch and Home had one in Pasco.

I used an old fitting for the nozzle though, and all the water leaked out and down inside the tack room of my trailer. (I'm rolling my eyes right now) I have to fix that before leaving Utah.

Horses need Brand Inspections to cross state lines

I found a very affordable Brand Inspector to get lifetime brand inspections for a great price. Her name is Keely Teal and she was adorable! So kind and sweet!

All said and done Vet appointments with Health certificates Coggins test and immunizations for both horses plus the Lifetime Brands Inspection certificates was all around $500. I priced this elsewhere and it was $1300.

Loaded with 2 dogs and two horses and a LOT of stuff for a two-month journey!

I spent my first night at "Laughing Horse Motel" where I could stall my horses and plug my small horsetrailer RV up to a 30 Amp plug. Finding this in the dark was totally doable with a headlamp.

'Risa' was amazing to work with and communicated everything via phone. Simple and easy. (Which I can appreciate)

The place was very nice. Shelter in each stall and bedding. (Included in price: They clean stalls! YAY!)

Easy plug-in for horse trailer RV hook-up.

Lots of plug-ins 50 Amp and 30 Amp and easy backing in.

I understand they have bathroom facilities though I could never find those even with directions. My Trailer is winterized so I'm using a porta potty until I get to AZ.

There was no place to lunge or exercise your horse but other than that it was the perfect stop not hard to find and not too far off from the highway.

Of course, the heat in my Sundowner Horse trailer RV was being 'finicky' and I couldn't get it working till around midnight. I am pretty sure it was "operator error" I haven't had the trailer long...and I'm figuring out how to run it all.

I was soaking wet because it had been raining all day long and by the time I got the horses settled in, fed, and watered in the dark I was drenched wet!

I still had work to do for the radio station so I was 'posting' till around 11 PM shivering while inside my trailer with the wet dogs while trying to get done working so I could read through the manual about my furnace and figure out why it wasn't working!

But I did it! Pat on the back for myself there.

Faith

The challenges of an independent woman who knows nothing about furnaces

Needless to say, I finally figured it out got heat inside, and we all slept pretty toasty warm!

Faith

The next day was a bit easier as I traveled through Idaho. The weather was good and there was hardly any traffic because it was Christmas Day!

I made it to Ogden Utah to my sister's place late Christmas Day and it's been snowing since I arrived! She has an amazing place and the horses are settling in and resting from two days of travel.

My mare had a hard time even trying to back out of the trailer so I think she was pretty sore and I only traveled about 6 hours the first day and 4 the second. I stopped to rest them several times when I had to let the dogs out or go to the restroom myself.

I believe It's really hard for horses to stand in that position for so long. They have to use odd muscles to keep their balance while hauling. I can't believe some people keep horses in there way longer. I don't think that is wise and often why they stop drinking water and/or Colic. It can be very stressful for them.

I want to take the journey to AZ slowly so it doesn't stress them or hurt them physically.

Traveling on Christmas Day was awesome because it was beautiful out in Idaho and there was very little traffic. I so love a good road trip and I love having my animals with me and I'm so grateful I get to do this.

I arrived in Utah and it was beautiful! The dogs are all getting along for the most part. and the snow didn't fall until the following day!

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