Discover what Raphael can offer you

Exceptional Partner • Big Heart & Big Work Ethic

Raphael is a seasoned mountain horse who is regularly ridden in the rugged San Juan Mountains of Colorado and has extensive training in the deserts of New Mexico. He is experienced, reliable, and deeply confident in challenging terrain and changing environments.

Raphael has a big personality. I often say you don’t catch him—he catches you. He will meet you at the gate every time, happily leaving his pasture mates to come to you. He loves to go to work and genuinely enjoys his job.

He is easy to handle in every aspect of daily care: easy to groom, excellent for the farrier, bathes and clips quietly, accepts fly spray and blanketing, and loads effortlessly into any trailer—slant, straight, with dividers or without. I frequently trailer him an hour away, load him into a different trailer, and head to the mountains. Raphael hops in and out anywhere, anytime. He will ride forward, backward, or sideways, alone or with friends—no issues.

On the ground, Raphael is polite and well-mannered. He leads quietly in groups, always respectful of space and handling.

On the trail, Raphael is exceptionally capable. He crosses logs of any size, rivers, bogs, and streams with confidence. He understands when to jump and when to step carefully and will listen to his rider. You can open gates from his back, put on a raincoat, ride bareback, ride backward, or even toss pine needles at friends—he takes it all in stride. He climbs thousands of feet in elevation with ease and happily does it again day after day. His work ethic is outstanding and proven on multi-day pack trips.

Raphael’s breeding makes him an absolute pleasure to ride. He is athletic, soft in the face, responsive to leg aids, and quick to listen. His walk is big and ground-covering, yet incredibly comfortable—you’ll come off the mountain without feeling like you rode one.

While Raphael prefers to lead and does so with confidence and excellent judgment, he can also rate his pace and wait politely in a group. This is especially important when leading a pack string, and Raphael understands how to slow and allow others the time they need to navigate terrain. In his video, you’ll see him demonstrate this skill clearly.

On a full-moon ride, we traveled in near-total darkness, and Raphael was 100% reliable—even allowing me to use a flashlight while mounted. He makes good decisions and inspires confidence.

Raphael high-lines, hobbles, or ties quietly for lunch breaks and campouts. He stands patiently, does not destroy tack, and is safe to ride alone. He is not herd-bound or trailer-sour and can be tied anywhere. He has shared trails with hikers and runners and is traffic safe.

He has completed numerous campouts, including nights tied to the trailer, and was well-behaved throughout—causing zero damage.

Raphael has had only two owners in his life and has known nothing but good care and kindness, and it shows. He is intelligent, willing, and genuinely enjoys partnering with his rider. He has even been taught to lie down. His busy, brilliant mind makes him eager for adventure, and his ability to focus allows difficult situations to be easily diffused. He is truly an exceptional horse.

Raphael had a life in dressage before coming to me, and it shows. This is a horse who knows how to be a beautiful ride. Collection comes naturally to him. He is soft, responsive, and moves easily off leg and seat. His transitions are smooth and balanced, his cadence is correct, and his gaits are comfortable and easy to sit.

Raphael performs turns on the forehand, turns on the haunches, side passes, leg yields, and shoulder-in, with ease—and likely more. He makes his rider look good, and I’m fully aware he is far more educated than I am. That education opens doors: he can teach a novice rider what is possible, and as a rider develops and asks for more, Raphael has plenty to give.

He is happy and relaxed in the arena and genuinely enjoys learning and challenging work. He takes pride in movements he has mastered and loves being ridden. He is elegant, expressive, and understands how to stretch his neck down and lift his back correctly.

Raphael lunges quietly and correctly, responds to voice commands, and has worked in side reins. He is focused and business-like in his work.

His ground manners are excellent. He is handled daily and enjoys turnout. Anyone can catch him and lead him safely. He tends to be low in the herd hierarchy, avoids conflict, and is friendly with pasture mates. He stands quietly for tacking up.

Raphael is a truly well-rounded horse who can go in many directions. He is sound, sane, and an absolute joy to be around. I have videos of him navigating obstacles in the arena, both under saddle and in hand, which highlight his steady, thoughtful nature. He is ideally suited for someone who wants to enjoy both arena work and trail riding. He has even chased cows, and with his athleticism and intelligence, his potential is wide open.