Juniper - For Lease
6-year-old registered AQHA mare (SC Juniper’s Frost)
Juni is a 6-year-old registered AQHA mare who has truly "been there, done that." Standing at 14.3hh, she’s a versatile and experienced trail horse with a lot to offer. I purchased Juni as an unstarted 2-year-old in June of 2021, and since then, we’ve accomplished a lot together—from trail riding to working cows, she’s gained a ton of experience and has matured into a reliable and confident mare.
Juni is available for lease because I am finishing up graduate school and simply don’t have the time to give her the attention she deserves. She’s an amazing horse, and I’d love to see her continue to thrive with someone who has the time to work with her regularly. I am NOT advertising her as a beginner or kids horse.
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If you're an experienced trail rider looking for a steady companion, Juni is the perfect fit! She's my go-to horse for all things trail and cow work, and her level-headed nature makes her a joy to ride, even though she’s still a young mare.
About Juni on the Trail: Juni has a calm demeanor for her age and is great with her feet, handling uneven terrain, rocks, and obstacles with ease. She's not easily bothered by her surroundings, which makes for a smooth, relaxed ride. As a younger horse, she does occasionally need her rider to offer a bit of confidence when faced with new or tricky obstacles, but with calm guidance, she handles it well.
Her extended trot is one of her standout qualities—lofty and comfortable, allowing you to cover ground at an efficient pace. Juni is happiest riding in the middle or back of a group, but when she’s ridden regularly and feeling confident, she’s more than happy to take the lead.
What’s needed from a rider:
Juni benefits from a rider who can offer gentle direction and confident assurance, especially when encountering unfamiliar challenges on the trail. Ideal for someone who enjoys a horse that’s steady but still offers that youthful energy and spirit. -
Juni is an incredible young mare with a solid foundation and lots of potential. She’s been under saddle since she was 2 years old and has a wide range of experience, including arena work, mountain trails, and cow work. While she’s never been “finished,” she has a ton of versatility and would thrive in the hands of an intermediate to advanced rider.
Training Highlights:
Trail Experience: Juni excels in mountain trail riding and prefers it over arena work, though she’s well-versed in both.
Packing Experience: Juni wears my pack saddle with ease, she is great at ponying and also is comfortable ponying other horses that she knows.
Cow Work: Juni has a natural talent for working with cattle. She’s been used for a couple cattle gathers, and participated in roping practices during her 3-year-old year. She loves to chase cows and could make an excellent breakaway horse with a little more training. I’ve thrown ropes off of her and around her, but it’s been a while since we’ve done much in this area consistently. With the right rider, she could really shine in this discipline.
Versatile & Willing: While Juni is very experienced in these areas, she’s still young and has room to grow. She’s ready to work and would be a great project for someone looking to continue her training and refine her skills.
Hauling & Travel: Juni has been hauled on multiple long-distance trips and does very well on the road. However, she did have an accident in the trailer once, which resulted in a significant injury (has been healed for a long time now). Because of this, she should be hauled with a slip tie ring and not hard-tied. She travels comfortably with this setup and settles easily in the trailer.
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Juni is up-to-date on all her veterinary care and vaccinations. She’s had routine check-ups, including dental work, and has no known health issues. She’s also very well-behaved for the farrier when standing quietly for trims, but has had issues when putting shoes on. (If you’d like her to wear shoes, please arrange that with me ahead of time so I can assist.) She has good feet and is generally easy to manage for routine care. She’s been barefoot for most of her life but can be shod if needed for specific work.
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Juni is a dominant mare in the herd, though she’s not always the most dominant. She has been known to kick at new horses when they first arrive, particularly if they invade her space. Additionally, she can get a bit “mare-ish” and goes into heat around new geldings. However, once she settles in and establishes her place, she gets along well with others and is generally not a problem in the herd. She thrives in a stable, structured environment where she has clear boundaries.
I would prefer that she be in her own stall/pasture/turnout unless she becomes really familiar with other horses on the property first.
June 2023
The biggest herd that Juni had ever seen. She handled it like a champ. There is truly nothing that she enjoys more than a beautiful day out working cows.
Rider desired: When I think about the perfect next home for Juni, I envision a place that will appreciate her for the steady, confident mare she is and use her for what she does best—trail riding, packing, and a friendly companion. Juni has tons of potential in many areas and could absolutely be trained for roping, barrels, or other disciplines. While she would likely handle a 4H or gymkhana setting well with the right rider, she has never been in that setting and would need a confident and capable rider to help her learn those skills.
She’s a great horse for someone looking for a solid, well-mannered companion to enjoy the outdoors with. Juni handles new situations and environments well, and my hope is that she finds a home where she can simply be appreciated for the wonderful horse she is—without the pressure of intense training or expectations.
Lessons w/Lease: I include 4 free lessons during any lease to ensure the best chance of success for a new horse/rider partnership.
Priced at: $450/month lease (off-property)
*will consider on-property lease for the first month