The true tale of a voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.

At 36 Jesse McNeil--at times carpenter, commercial fisherman, dabbler in real estate--decided to buy an untrained horse, make himself into a horseman, and ride all the way across the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.

A fiercely independent traveler, Jesse had navigated previous coast-to-coast trips-- solo journeys by moped, bicycle, and small airplane. This time, however, he had a partner: a five-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse named Pepper. An inexperienced horseman with an equally inexperienced mount, Jesse would quickly discover the immense challenges of his new undertaking. Over the course of eight months and fourteen states--beginning in Oregon and ending on a beach in New Hampshire--he would be tested many times over as he learned not only what it took to keep Pepper safe and healthy, but the true value of qualities that he had once easily dismissed: patience and companionship.

The generosity of strangers, from helpful ranchers and storekeepers to suburban families, shaped the pair's journey east. And while at some points the miles didn't unfold as Jesse hoped, others yielded unexpected events that changed his perspective--and quite possibly, his future. Written with honesty, grit, and grace, On the Hoof captures an arduous voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.

Review Quotes

"Jesse McNeil and his four-legged companion Pep remind us that even the best-laid plans require constant adjustment. But through teamwork, flexibility, and tenacity they can be navigated to an outcome that's really special, and that's exactly what On the Hoof is. A long walk, rhythmic trot, and full gallop that will leave you wanting to strike out on your own unique adventure." --Ty Gagne, author of Where You'll Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova and The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites

"Jesse McNeil's memoir demonstrates the hardships that happen when taking on a challenge as daunting as his coast-to-coast journey on foot, with only a horse named Pepper as his companion. It's not for the faint of heart or those enamored with the romantic concept of 'just being with a horse.' For Jesse, it would become a life-changing experience with the realization he could overcome almost anything he would face in his life ahead.... The bond that develops between Jesse and Pepper cannot be explained to others, as there are no words to describe the deepness that is reached.... We as readers can feel Jesse's emotions in the words he shares. We can also learn to apply the lessons he learns to our own journeys--to life's good days, best days, hard days, and 'impossible' tests." --John Lyons, America's Most Trusted Horseman

"Those of us who breed horses and write of them hope to ride vicariously on the adventures to which we send them. So it's doubly gratifying, as the breeders and initial trainers of a horse named Pepper, to see her adventures and those of her owner Jesse McNeil poetically narrated in a book named On the Hoof." --Dan Aadland, author of Sketches from the Ranch and In Trace of TR

About the Author

Jesse Alexander McNeil grew up exploring the mountains and rivers of New Hampshire, which kindled his adventurous spirit and inspired later long-distance journeys, from thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail to coast-to-coast trips by bicycle, small airplane, moped, and then, horse. McNeil and the Tennessee Walker, Pepper, who traveled from the Pacific to the Atlantic with him, live in the San Juan Islands of Washington State where they continue to explore hills and fields and daydream of new journeys ahead (jessemcneil.com).