Hello;
I didn't mean that in a nasty way, but I get tired od just saying horse all the time. Basically, when in the mountains, we usually just let them graze as much as possible and give them a little grain. If grazing is poor, we'll bring some cubes for supplement. If your "nag" can do Endurance riding, he"s probably better off out there than mine, who just gets hauled in from the pasture when I find the time. The two of us get along well together and he actually enjoys the first couple of days. After that, we both get cranky.
Grizz

Deertick;IMHO most horses are over fed,I dont like alfalfa straight its OK when mixed with timothy or orchardgrass but prefer it at about 20%,I dont feed much grain maybe i/2 a scoop of straight oats when I saddle up in the am,but some of our hoses could live on air and really dont need it.Depending on where you are going there could be a lot of good grass in the mtns.We hunted elk two weeks ago in the Crazies and there was so much grass that every time we got off our horses they had their heads down pigging out on the mtn grases w/regards

I've got a couple horses (and a friend has another) that we'd like to take on a bear/elk hunt next September. They'd be used primarily as riding animals, that is until someone got an animal down.

Trouble is: we live at 2000 ft., but would be hunting much higher.

I'm looking for advice on aclimation and feeding ... as well as feasability.

Gophershooter, I think we own similar animals ... mine could "live on air" as well. No trouble putting on weight. I'd like to graze them with hobbles if possible.

I'm not 100% sure about this trip yet, but it is getting exciting to think about. A trip like this will require a year to put together and get in shape (both me and the horses) and that's the most fun. What I enjoy most about both hunting and horses is learning new stuff ... which means I'm always doing something that I have little or no experience with ...

Deertick,
Since I don't know your horses I wouldn't say one way or the other if they can make it in the Mountains..but I would suggest you keep at least on on a lead rope...Horses can learn to travel many a mile overnight when hobbled...I have even seen them go home hobbled...I like to stake mine out by one foot hobbled with a long lead rope where their is ample grass...

If I am working a horse hard, I will grain him heavy, oats or sweetfeed....