Juni - “SC Juniper’s Frost”
6-year-old registered AQHA mare (SC Juniper’s Frost)
Juni – 6-Year-Old Registered AQHA Mare
14.3hh | Bay | Located in Central Oregon
Juni is a 6-year-old registered AQHA mare who has been thoughtfully developed since she was two years old. She stands 14.3 hands and comes from proven old foundation bloodlines including Hancock, Sunfrost, Driftwood, and Blue Valentine.
She has been trained with a well-rounded, practical foundation and exposed to a variety of experiences including arena work, cattle, packing, and extensive backcountry trail riding. Juni is sound, well-built, and ready for her next chapter with an intermediate or advanced rider who can continue her development or simply enjoy the horse she is now.
She is located in Central Oregon and available for sale or lease, with viewings available at the Paulina Horse Sale on August 2nd and by private appointment.
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Juni is a finished backcountry trail horse. Safe. Seasoned. Steady.
She has packed in hundreds of miles through high desert terrain, mountain switchbacks, rocky ridges, and tight single track. She rides out confidently alone or in a group, with a big walk and sure feet.
She’s worn a pack saddle many times and has hauled a full load once or twice without issue. She’s also a great partner for ponying, both being ponied and ponying others she knows.
She has the kind of heart and mind that make you feel safe miles from home. Just recently, I rode her down a busy paved road with barking dogs, loud machinery, and passing cars. She stayed calm and grounded the entire way.
Trail is her favorite kind of work, and where she truly shines, I think she would excel in a ranching home, or with someone who wanted to use her as a competitive roping horse, where she could experience the best of both worlds.
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Juni has been under saddle since she was two years old and has received a slow, thoughtful education with exposure to a wide range of experiences.
She is a 6-year-old registered AQHA mare with old working bloodlines including Hancock, Sunfrost, Driftwood, and Blue Valentine. She stands 14.3 hands with solid bone, strong feet, and a forward, cowy mind.
She has a strong foundation in groundwork and has been handled with intention from the beginning. She ties, lunges, ground drives, and is respectful and responsive on the ground. That early foundation has carried into her work under saddle, where she continues to grow in confidence and feel.
Under saddle, Juni has done arena work, extensive trail miles, and cow work. During her 2 and 3-year-old years, we attended weekly roping practices, and she’s roped the dummy both at a standstill and on the move. She’s helped push herds of up to 800 head and shows a natural drive and interest in working cattle. She’s had ropes thrown off and around her and has been exposed to the roping pen in a variety of situations. While we haven’t kept that discipline up recently, she has the feel to make a great breakaway or versatility ranch horse with continued development.
She also rides English and has been started over poles and small crossrails. While we haven’t pursued formal training in that direction, she is willing, balanced, and responsive in English tack and could easily continue down that path.
Juni prefers to be ridden in a hackamore or bitless setup and is not a fan of fly spray. She does best with a rider who brings calm energy, clarity, and consistency.
Like many mares with a little Hancock in them, she can be cinchy if rushed. I never cinch her up tight all at once or hop on right away. I always give her a moment to adjust and relax, and she’s always been good when handled this way. She appreciates a rider who listens and doesn’t cut corners.
Juni is not a beginner or kids horse. She is responsive, sensitive, and honest—best suited to an intermediate or advanced rider who can offer presence, patience, and purpose.
Training Highlights:
• Extensive Groundwork: Solid, respectful, and well-handled on the ground.
• Trail Experience: Confident, surefooted, and steady in challenging terrain. Prefers trail work over the arena.
• Packing Experience: Wears a pack saddle well. Can pony and be ponied, especially with familiar horses.
• Cow Work: Exposed to roping pens, gathered large herds, roped the dummy, and has had ropes thrown off her. High potential for breakaway or versatility work.
• English: Rides willingly in English tack. Started over poles and crossrails.
• Versatile & Willing: Honest and capable, but still young with plenty of potential to keep growing. -
Juni is sound with no history of lameness or ongoing health issues. She is currently ridden with front shoes during the summer months when she’s in heavier work and goes barefoot in the winter.
She had a rough first experience with shoeing when getting her first set of fronts, which left her a little anxious about farrier work. Because of that, I typically give her a single dose of dorm gel before shoeing and continue to work on desensitizing her to clanging sounds and rasp pressure. She stands well for trims and has excellent feet.
Juni is up to date on all vaccinations and regular deworming. She is due for a dental float, which I haven’t yet scheduled and was planning to do this fall since I typically ride her without a bit, so that is something for her next person to be aware of.
She did experience a trailer-related injury in 2023, which has fully healed, but I recommend she not be hard-tied in a trailer. She travels quietly and comfortably when tied with a blocker ring or slip tie and settles easily once loaded.
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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 bit and kick at new horses when they first arrive, particularly if they invade her space of feeding area. 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.
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Juni loads and unloads well and has been hauled on multiple long-distance trips without issue.
However, she was involved in a trailer accident in 2023 that left her with some residual fear and tension around the trailer. Since then, we’ve worked through a lot of that fear with patience and consistency, and she now loads and travels comfortably when handled with care.
Juni loads and unloads well and has been hauled on multiple long-distance trips. She has traveled out of Oregon to Arizona, Nevada, and Montana, and does great on the road. She eats, drinks, and settles well during overnight hauls and adjusts quickly to new environments.
In 2023, she was involved in a trailer accident that left her with some residual fear around loading and unloading. Since then, we’ve done a lot of careful groundwork to rebuild her confidence. She now loads and travels comfortably with a patient handler.
She does best when given a moment to think and breathe. If she starts to feel anxious, she just needs someone who will slow things down and help her stay regulated. She should always be tied with a blocker ring or slip tie, not hard-tied, in the trailer. With that setup, she hauls quietly and is an easy traveler.
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 imagine the right next home for Juni, I picture someone who values a steady, willing trail partner and appreciates the kind of horse who shows up every day with heart and honesty. She is best suited for a rider who enjoys exploring the outdoors, giving their horse a purpose, and building a thoughtful partnership over time.
Juni has potential to go in many directions. With continued training, she could develop further in roping, ranch work, barrels, or local shows. While she has not competed or been in structured youth programs, I believe she would do well in a 4H or gymkhana setting with an experienced, confident rider who can guide her through new situations.
She is a wonderful fit for someone looking for a reliable trail mount with good groundwork and exposure, and who wants to enjoy their horse without the pressure of competition. Juni is ready for a rider who meets her with clarity and consistency and who will appreciate her for who she is right now.
Lessons & Support: To help set both horse and rider up for success, I include a free lesson with the sale or lease of Juni. These sessions are designed to support a smooth transition and help establish a strong foundation in the new partnership.
Whether you are purchasing or leasing, I am happy to offer guidance during the early stages to ensure Juni and her new person have the best chance to thrive together.