Year of the Mustang: Jake Harvath’s 6,000-mile journey across 25 states

Photo: Jake Harvath

HEBER CITY, Utah — Jake Harvath, a 25-year-old horse trainer from Utah, recently returned from an extraordinary journey: a 6,000-mile trek on horseback across 25 states to raise awareness about the potential of wild mustangs. Harvath’s Year of the Mustang expedition aimed to dispel misconceptions about these often-overlooked animals and inspire more adoptions from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

“The mission was to put a spotlight on wild horses,” Harvath said. “There’s a stigma in the horse community that mustangs can’t be trained to be good working horses, and that simply hasn’t been my experience.”

Harvath’s journey featured three mustangs—Bella, Denver, and Eddie—who were all adopted through the BLM. “My horses did something few others could ever do,” Harvath said, proudly noting their endurance, athleticism, and adaptability. The trio even broke a record for the most continuous states traversed on horseback with the same horses, a feat Harvath is submitting to Guinness World Records.

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Harvath’s fascination with mustangs began during his teenage years as an apprentice horse trainer at Sage Creek Equestrian in Heber City. His first personal horse, Bella, taught him the unique value of wild horses. “They were not only the horses that taught me the most,” Harvath explained, “but they also have incredible endurance and problem-solving skills.”

Wild mustangs, managed by the federal government, are often rounded up to maintain balanced ecosystems on public lands. Many end up in holding facilities, costing taxpayers millions annually. Harvath hopes his journey will bring attention to the issue and encourage more adoptions. “These horses are just sitting there,” he said. “They need a purpose, and adoption gives them that.”

The trip, which spanned a year, required extensive preparation. Harvath spent years planning the route, acquiring gear, and honing skills like horseshoeing. “Being able to shoe my own horses was essential,” he said. “It allowed me to take care of them throughout the trip.”

Harvath’s route varied daily, often determined by where he could find places to camp and feed his horses. “We rode through everything from highways and big cities to backcountry mountains and deserts,” he recalled.

As the journey gained traction online, Harvath found himself speaking at schools, universities, and community groups. “I rode up to elementary schools with the horses, and kids would come out to meet them,” he said. “It was often people’s first experience with a horse, let alone a mustang.”

Since returning to Utah, Harvath has continued his advocacy through content creation on YouTube, focusing on wild horse education and Western horsemanship. “This week, I’m working on a video about cowboy culture,” he said. “We’re expanding our messages, but mustangs will always be at the core.”

Harvath’s commitment to wild horses remains steadfast. “I’m so proud of my horses,” he said. “They’ve shown the world the value of mustangs as working horses, not just for their endurance but also their athleticism and heart.”

Looking ahead, Harvath plans to embark on shorter trips this summer, all with his trusted mustangs