Skills / Disciplines

All Around, Athletic, Barrel, Barrel Racing, Beginner, Calf Roping, Champion, Companion, Dappled, Dressage, Endurance, English Pleasure, Experienced, Foundation, Finished, Flashy, Gaited, Gymkhana, Husband Safe, Kid Safe, Lesson, Pack, Parade, Penning, Performance, Playday, Pole

Additional Comments

Horse for Sale: 50 Shades of Smoke aka “Smoke”
Age: 5 years
Breed: Montana Travler
Height: Approx. 15 hands
Weight: Estimated 800-900 lbs
Color: Dappled gray with hints of strawberry roan on her hindquarters
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Overview
Meet Smoke, a tough and versatile Montana Travler mare with an incredible work ethic and calm yet “go-getter” demeanor.... (read more) At just 5 years old, she has already proven herself in a variety of demanding situations and shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re heading out on a long trail ride/packing out, working cows, or participating in parades, Smoke is a reliable and willing partner. Smoke is a true luxury trail horse; a Montana Cadillac!

About the Montana Traveler
The Montana Traveler is a relatively new breed, developed in Montana, combining bloodlines from Tennessee Walking, Morgan, American Saddlebred, Thoroughbred, and Hamiltonian horses. Known for their heart depth, endurance, solid conformation, and eagerness, Montana Travelers were bred for mountain climbing, packing, and cattle work. Their unique traits include a smooth-running walk gait, physical strength, stamina, and a strong work ethic.

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Key Traits
• Confidence:
Smoke is the ultimate trail horse. She rides out confidently alone or with others, with no change in attitude. She’s comfortable with all sorts of distractions, including bikers, dogs, motorcycles, helicopters, drones, and even snowmobiles doing backflips, skiers, and sledders or packing out elk in grizzly territory. She loves getting in the trailer and heading out for adventure. You can go ANYWHERE confidentially on this horse.
• History & Experience:
o Bred by: Chuck Donavan in Livingston, MT. Foaled 05/10/2020.
o Early Life: Spent her first two years out to pasture (1,000 acres) with about 30 other horses, next to a gun range. She was handled for basic needs like hoof care.
o Professional Training:
 Started at age 2 by Jess Holloway at Holloway’s Pretty Good Horse Barn. Has 60-days professional (Jess Holloway) training.
 For the next 2.5 years, Smoke was one of two horses used by the owner in weekly lessons with Jess Holloway, expanding on her foundation.
o Guide Horse:
 At age 3, Smoke worked as a summer guide horse for a private outfitting company serving the Yellowstone Club and Spanish Peaks in Big Sky, Montana.
 She led groups of up to 6 client riders, often solo or with one other guide, crossing water, bridges, and encountering wildlife first. Smoke also helped other horses navigate difficult situations.
o Skijoring:
 At ages 4 and 5 (2024 and 2025), Smoke competed in skijoring, finishing in the top 5 multiple times.
 She’s smooth, well-balanced, and easy to stop after a run. Although she can be a little pushy at the gate, she’s eager to give her best.
 Smoke is small for the sport but excels in novice and sport classes. She performs very well and is a reliable partner. This horse will stretch and give you everything she has consistently. She was always within about 1/8th second of herself.
o Trail:
 Smoke has 100s, if not 1,000+ miles, of trail experience. She’s my top pick when introducing others to riding but also our hit the mountains or go wherever you want by yourself horse. She’s smooth, easy, and 100% anxiety-free. She is a true luxury trail horse. They don’t get better than this!
o Arena Work:
 Smoke will flex, rate, move off your leg, select the correct lead, lead change move her hindquarters, forehand, collect, you can shut down a shoulder, and have full control of her. Or, you can put your hands down and neck rein while using leg and seat (she likes to rope).
 Her Montana Traveler gait shines when out on the trail, where she can cover ground with a smooth, long stride. She is able to “turn it off” in the arena and move more like a cow horse or English sport horse.
• Versatility:
Smoke excels in a variety of disciplines, including team sorting, roping, skijoring, and trail riding. She’s equally comfortable in the arena or on the trail and enjoys both. The trail is her highest and best use as she is a true Montana Cadillac.
• Sure-footed:
Smoke is like riding a “mountain goat”—smooth, sure-footed, and reliable on steep, rocky, and muddy trails. She’s a joy to ride for beginners and experienced riders alike. She’ll take care of new riders but also handles challenging terrain with advanced riders.
• Endurance:
Smoke has outstanding endurance and thrives when given a job. She’s built for long distances and maintains a smooth, rhythmic pace that’s easy on the rider’s hips and knees. Whether it’s a 10+ mile trail ride or packing out elk in grizzly country, Smoke will give her all.
• Hardy:
As a Montana Travler, Smoke is hardy and easy to care for. She doesn’t require special feed, doesn’t need to be blanketed, and has great natural feet (she can be bare foot all year unless a rider is putting “endurance” miles on her). She’s low-maintenance and up to date on all vaccinations, deworming, and hoof care. We have trimmed/shoed her every 5 weeks to make sure she develops with great hoof angles.
• Gunfire, Wildlife, & Weather:
Smoke has been exposed to gunfire, grizzly areas, thunderstorms, hail, and high winds. She remains calm and unfazed, even in challenging conditions.
• Parades & Crowds:
Smoke has been ridden in multiple parades and remains unfazed by crowds, flags, loud noises, or unpredictable antics. Whether riding alone or in a large group, she remains calm and confident.
• Training:
Smoke’s training has focused on developing strong fundamentals, with an emphasis on control, responsiveness, and cow horse maneuvers. She’s a pleasure to ride, whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner.
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Other Highlights
• Temperament:
Smoke is a kind, tolerant mare. She’s easy to handle, calm with other horses, and not at all aggressive. She is easy to catch, the bottom of the pecking order and loves the trailer.
• Solid Feet:
Smoke has great natural feet and doesn’t require shoes for regular riding. Shoes only used for more intensive work like skijoring and consistently long rocky trail rides.
• Easy Keeper:
Smoke is easy to maintain and stands for the farrier, vet, and wash rack. She’s up-to-date on all vaccinations and is a low-maintenance horse.
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Additional Info
• Lightly gaited in the arena but maintains a smooth, natural Montana Travler gait on the trail.
• Easy to trailer alone or with a companion. She loves loading up for an adventure. Smoke doesn’t miss a beat when turning and walking into the trailer. She loves to go! Backs out nice and safe.
• The Montana Travler frame is more narrow than a larger breed like a quarter horse and is easy on the knees, hips, back etc…

Smoke is a solid, reliable, and versatile horse. Whether you're looking for a dependable partner for long rides, an easy travel companion, or a horse that can handle any challenge, Smoke is sure to impress. If you're interested, feel free to reach out for more information or to set up a time to meet her in person.
Smoke will give you 110% every time. She's ready to be your next partner—are you ready for her?
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Ways to Purchase
• Cash, Wire, or Payment Plan (if we know you personally)
Vet Check
• Health certificate and negative coggins report available.
• You can schedule a vet inspection at your expense. Vet records available, along with farrier contact info.
Transportation
• She can be shipped anywhere in the US.
Registration
• Grade

Shipping Notes

Can be shipped anywhere in the US and Canada at buyers expense.