Find…

Horseing Around

1 2 3 … 6

REIN Fundraiser Poster for FENCE Event September 30

Join mule Polly, Julia and me on September 30 at FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) to raise funds for REIN (Rescuing Equines in Need) Rescue. I’ll be screening the Lost Sea Expedition, the movie about my 395 day wagon voyage from Canada to Mexico with my mule Polly. Come meet Polly, check out the Lost Sea Expedition wagon and travel across America with me. This is the perfect get-away-from-the-screen-into-adventure outing for families, adventure lovers, hiking and camping enthusiasts and anyone… Continue reading →

Julia Carpenter on Creative Spirits Unleashed Podcast

Julia Carpenter, my wife, “Equine Seer” and founder of the Two Step Way, was a guest this week on Lynne Carnes’s Creative Spirits Unleashed podcast. If you’re interested in forging stronger bonds with your horse, dog, or yes, even your spouse, family and friends, this is a must-hear interview!

Julia Carpenter Creative Spirits Unleashed podcast episode 94 cover screenshot with Lynne Carnes

Listen to Julia and Lynne on Episode 94 of the Creative Spirits podcast.

Here is how Lynne… Continue reading →

Warwick Schiller Podcast: Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks

This spring, my wife Julia and I towed our sailboat Grit out of the barn, launched her and sailed her to Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, where we spent the next two weeks studying the wild horses that live there. We never imagined that ramble would land us on numerous podcasts, including Warwick Schiller’s Journey On podcast.

Solo circumnavigator Bernie Harberts' Nimble 24 sailboat Grit rigged and ready to sail at Oriental public boat ramp, Oriental, North Carolina
Grit rigged and ready to sail. She is a Nimble 24. (Oriental public boat ramp, Oriental, NC)
Julia carrying a kayak to the water's edge near solo circumnavigator Bernie Harberts' sailboat Grit anchored off Shackleford Banks, North Carolina
Grit anchored off Shackleford Banks. That’s Julia… Continue reading →

Shackleford Banks Wild Horses on Today’s Horsewoman Podcast

Earlier this spring, Julia and I spent two weeks anchored off Shackleford Banks (North Carolina) studying the wild horses that call the 9-mile uninhabited island home.

Julia paddling a kayak back to sailboat Grit near Shackleford Banks with sand bars visible in the shallow water
Julia paddling a kayak back to Grit near Shackleford Banks with sand bars visible in the shallow water

While we were at Shackleford, we appeared on Rose Cushing’s podcasts Today’s Horsewoman and Today’s Horseman.

Have a listen. You can just hear the crackling energy in our voices. We were alive to everything around us.… Continue reading →

Best Long Riding and Horse Travel Books: 8 Picks from a Long Rider with 6,000 Miles in the Saddle

I’ve ridden 6,000 miles in the saddle and spent over 1,000 nights on the road with horses and mules, and people often ask me what I recommend they read about Long Riding and long distance saddle travel. A Long Ride is a continuous, unsupported saddle journey of over 1,000 miles. Here are my eight favorites.

Long Riding books including favorites recommended by Long Rider Bernie Harberts

Any of these books would make a great gift for the horse, mule, donkey, travel or adventure lover in your life.

Our Tiny Library Up… Continue reading →

What is the Long Riders’ Guild

Twenty years ago, I owned a mule named Woody. Woody was cantankerous. I wanted to ride him across North Carolina – and maybe a whole lot farther. Too bad nobody could tell me how to ride a mule 300 miles. This is the post I wish I’d read all those years ago.

Woody and me trying to figure out how to ride across North Carolina. I had no idea what we were doing but figured feeding him apples was a… Continue reading →

Filipe Masetti Leite Rode a Horse 16,000 Miles. This is What he Learned.

“I’d never ridden more than 3 kilometers.” That’s what author, filmmaker, and Long Rider Filipe Masetti told me, a fellow Long Rider, after riding 16,000 miles across North and South America. That quote will give you hope you can do whatever you’re dreaming of doing.

Long Rider Filipe Masetti Leite, who rode 16,000 miles on horseback from Calgary, Canada to Brazil
Long Rider Filipe Masetti Leite

Update: Filipe and Clara Racing on The Amazing Race Canada

Since this interview, Filipe has taken a break from Long Riding. He and his wife Clara are now racing on… Continue reading →

Join the Horse Partnership Webinar with Julia Carpenter – February 7th

If you’re interested in forging a stronger bond with your horse—really seeing the being inside the animal you’re working with—I’m inviting you to attend my wife Julia’s free webinar this Saturday. It’s called Exploring the Building Blocks of Partnership, and it’s about connecting with horses, mules, and donkeys in ways you may not have imagined possible.

  • Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
  • Time: 1 pm EST
  • Register here.
  • Cost: Free

If you haven’t officially registered yet, make sure you sign… Continue reading →

Snow Day Prep: Mules, Blankets, and Last-Minute Runs

The scene four years ago (2022) to the day

Got your bread and milk? The forecast calls for fifteen to eighteen inches of snow this weekend. A proper winter storm. That means, in addition to grocery shopping, we’re scurrying around the property preparing for the white stuff. Mostly, that involves thinking ahead about what the critters will need—extra hay and water for the mules and horses, plus blankets—and making a run to the transfer station with o ur garbage and… Continue reading →

See the Being the Two Step Way With Julia Carpenter and Ty Evans Mulemanship

Ty Evans Mulemanship podcast

This week my wife, Julia Carpenter, was a guest on Ty Evans’ Mulemanship podcast. Julia is the founder of the Two Step Way— a two step way of how to be with your horse and how to see your horse. Ty is a world renown mule and horse trainer and clinician. In this episode, Julia and Ty explore what it means to truly see the being you’re interacting with, whether that’s a donkey, mule, horse, or… Continue reading →

1991 Brenderup Royal Horse Trailer: Specs, Photos, and What It’s Like to Own One

After eight years of reliably happy ownership, my wife Julia and I sold our 1991 Brenderup two-horse trailer. We originally bought this Brenderup trailer to pull with our 4-cylinder 2006 Toyota Tacoma. It worked perfectly. We upgraded to a bigger truck and stock trailer, so no… Continue reading →

Listen to Two Mules to Triumph on the Creative Spirits Unleashed Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on Lynne Carnes’ podcast, Creative Spirits Unleashed. Lynne and I spent nearly two hours discussing my 2,300-mile journey across America with my mules, Brick and Cracker. Click on the player for all the adventure without the saddle sores.

Note: the audio of my voice is a bit muddy at the beginning of the podcast because a connection issue on my end. It improves as the podcast goes on.

There’s a lot… Continue reading →

Mule Days at Leatherwood Photos 2025

Herringbone bell bottoms, lotsa’ Long Ears (aka mules and donkeys) and happily hanging with friends. Mule Days at Leatherwood was a blast this year. Here are some pics of this years event you’ll enjoy. You gotta’ come next year!

Long Rider Bernie Harberts and mule Cracker in costume at Mule Days at Leatherwood
Cracker and me gettin’ funky with it. I’d love to wear an outfit like this on my next mule ramble.
Julia riding mule Cracker at Mule Days at Leatherwood
Julia and I snuck in a trail ride while hanging out at Mule Days. Here, she’s riding Cracker back toward the… Continue reading →

Ride a Travois, Pet a Mule: Mule Days at Leatherwood Photos

My wife Julia and I have been attending Mule Days at Leatherwood all week. She’s been giving individual sessions of the Two Step Way, of which she’s the founder. I’ve been fitting mules to hoof boots. We got some lovely pics of the goings-on and Mule Days and I thought you’d like these pics.

Mules and donkeys gathered at Mule Days at Leatherwood, North Carolina
Of course I’m starting this photo essay with this Long Ears photo.
Ruth and Janet St. John's mule-drawn travois ambulance costume entry at Mule Days at Leatherwood
Ruth and Janet St. John’s entry in the costume class: a mule drawn… Continue reading →

Pet a Mule, Watch a Parade: I’m Inviting You to Mule Days at Leatherwood

Mules navigating an obstacle course, mules wearing angel wings, mules striding the parade route, and mules being, well, just mule-ish. Yep, Mule Days at Leatherwood is this weekend, Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. My wife Julia and I will be attending with our mule. Mule Days at Leatherwood is free and open to public and we’d love to see you!

Julia and I (hidden among all the mules) at Ty Evan’s clinic. Ty is standing in the center… Continue reading →
1 2 3 … 6