On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure
The true tale of a voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse. At 36 Jesse McNeil — at times carpenter, commercial fisherman, dabbler in real estate — decided to buy an untrained horse, make himself into a horseman, and ride all the way across the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. A fiercely independent traveler, Jesse had navigated previous coast-to-coast trips — solo journeys by moped, bicycle, and small airplane. This time, however, he had a partner: a five-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse named Pepper. An inexperienced horseman with an equally inexperienced mount, Jesse would quickly discover the immense challenges of his new undertaking. Over the course of eight months and fourteen states — beginning in Oregon and ending on a beach in New Hampshire — he would be tested many times over as he learned not only what it took to keep Pepper safe and healthy, but the true value of qualities that he had once easily dismissed: patience and companionship. The generosity of strangers, from helpful ranchers and storekeepers to suburban families, shaped the pair's journey east. And while at some points the miles didn't unfold as Jesse hoped, others yielded unexpected events that changed his perspective — and quite possibly, his future. Written with honesty, grit, and grace, On the Hoof captures an arduous voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.
1139618946
On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure
The true tale of a voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse. At 36 Jesse McNeil — at times carpenter, commercial fisherman, dabbler in real estate — decided to buy an untrained horse, make himself into a horseman, and ride all the way across the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. A fiercely independent traveler, Jesse had navigated previous coast-to-coast trips — solo journeys by moped, bicycle, and small airplane. This time, however, he had a partner: a five-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse named Pepper. An inexperienced horseman with an equally inexperienced mount, Jesse would quickly discover the immense challenges of his new undertaking. Over the course of eight months and fourteen states — beginning in Oregon and ending on a beach in New Hampshire — he would be tested many times over as he learned not only what it took to keep Pepper safe and healthy, but the true value of qualities that he had once easily dismissed: patience and companionship. The generosity of strangers, from helpful ranchers and storekeepers to suburban families, shaped the pair's journey east. And while at some points the miles didn't unfold as Jesse hoped, others yielded unexpected events that changed his perspective — and quite possibly, his future. Written with honesty, grit, and grace, On the Hoof captures an arduous voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.
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On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure

On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure

by Jesse Alexander McNeil
On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure

On the Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic-- A 3,800-Mile Adventure

by Jesse Alexander McNeil

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$22.95 
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Overview

The true tale of a voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse. At 36 Jesse McNeil — at times carpenter, commercial fisherman, dabbler in real estate — decided to buy an untrained horse, make himself into a horseman, and ride all the way across the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. A fiercely independent traveler, Jesse had navigated previous coast-to-coast trips — solo journeys by moped, bicycle, and small airplane. This time, however, he had a partner: a five-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse named Pepper. An inexperienced horseman with an equally inexperienced mount, Jesse would quickly discover the immense challenges of his new undertaking. Over the course of eight months and fourteen states — beginning in Oregon and ending on a beach in New Hampshire — he would be tested many times over as he learned not only what it took to keep Pepper safe and healthy, but the true value of qualities that he had once easily dismissed: patience and companionship. The generosity of strangers, from helpful ranchers and storekeepers to suburban families, shaped the pair's journey east. And while at some points the miles didn't unfold as Jesse hoped, others yielded unexpected events that changed his perspective — and quite possibly, his future. Written with honesty, grit, and grace, On the Hoof captures an arduous voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781570769771
Publisher: Trafalgar Square
Publication date: 08/17/2021
Pages: 416
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jesse Alexander McNeil grew up exploring the mountains and rivers of New Hampshire, which kindled his adventurous spirit and inspired later long-distance journeys, from thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail to coast-to-coast trips by bicycle, small airplane, moped, and then, horse. McNeil and the Tennessee Walker, Pepper, who traveled from the Pacific to the Atlantic with him, live in the San Juan Islands of Washington State where they continue to explore hills and fields and daydream of new journeys ahead.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

Travail and Balance Oregon, California, Nevada 3

Chapter 1 "You sure? We don't have much farther…" 5

Chapter 2 "Well, shit, Firefly, you're looking like a real cowboy now!" 35

Chapter 3 "She could have gravel." 61

Chapter 4 "There, you're on iron." 87

Today's West Idaho, Wyoming 115

Chapter 5 "Buffalo gnats… some years are worse than others." 117

Chapter 6 "Come on back, and we'll get you a wife." 141

Chapter 7 "Help! She's gonna tip!" 165

Chapter 8 "This your property?" I ask. "Yeah, clear that may, eighteen miles." 195

The Cart Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio 215

Chapter 9 "It's my talking finger." 217

Chapter 10 "I'm sorry to hear about Todd." 237

Chapter 11 "The cops are here for your horse!" 255

Chapter 12 "You mean Oregon the state?" 271

Hills and Roads Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire 295

Chapter 13 "Bob, I love you like a weird uncle." 297

Chapter 14 "Shouldn't you be going over that hill?" 315

Chapter 15 "We don't have much to offer, but you're welcome to stay as long as you want." 337

Chapter 16 "Aww, Pepper, you're gonna pop the balloon! Aww, Pepper!" 349

Acknowledgments 367

About The Author 369

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