In a world still inaccessible by road, the only “vehicle” which can traverse the varied terrain of Patagonia is the long time partner of the gaucho: the horse. Our horses at Patagonia Frontiers are a mix of home-bred horses and horses purchased from and trained by local gauchos. Over steep, rocky terrain and through rushing glacial rivers, we count on our horses to enable us and our supplies reach every corner of our vast outdoor classroom. Our herd includes trainees, retirees, and our“A Team” horses in the peak of their career. Here are the horses you’re likely to work with on your visit.
Tirano
Bio: Tirano is one of our newer horses but has quickly become a guest and crew favorite. He is one of those rare horses who can be enjoyed equally by first-time riders and skilled equestrians. His calm and respectful nature makes him great for beginners, and his responsiveness and athleticism make him a fun ride for experienced riders.
Special skills: Hiding from the wrangler when it’s time for work.
Trivia: Tirano’s golden, tiger-striped coloring is called “gateado” and is a hallmark coloring of the Criollo breed. Gateado horses have a dark dorsal stripe, darker coloration on their lower legs, and the dark striping on the shoulders you can see on Tirano here.
Crew Leader (’23-’25) Heather Sikoski enjoyed long rides on Tirano to check the herd in the valley.
Ceniza
Bio: Ceniza is 29 years young and still healthy, sound, and likely to join us on any guest trip we take up the valley. She is a great representative of the hearty Criollo breed. If you have never ridden a horse before, you are likely to be assigned a ride on gentle, smooth-moving Ceniza. Ceniza is also the matriarch of the herd and the other horses defer to her.
Special skills: Boosting the confidence of first-time riders.
Trivia: Ceniza once adopted a foal who was abandoned by her own mother, and raised it side-by-side with her own foal. It is commonly believed that one mother can’t and won’t provide for two foals, even if they are both biologically hers. Ceniza and her two strong, healthy daughters beg to differ!
Our resident angel Ceniza is a great first horse for new or nervous riders
Tordo
Bio: Tordo is the iconic mount of our neighbor, Don Moncho. While Don Moncho typically rides Tordo to guide our guest trips, Tordo occasionally finds himself being used as the mount for a lucky guest or crew member.
Special skills: Tordo has our typical routes memorized and can easily guide his rider to our Cacho ranch.
Trivia: Tordo is a round, black horse who gets his name from the round, black tordo bird often seen in our valley
Don Moncho, Tordo, and Princesa enjoy a sunny view of the Soler Glacier
Americo
Bio: Americo, also Don Moncho’s horse, is our trusty pilchero (packhorse) for nearly every trip at Patagonia Frontiers. However, he is secretly an excellent riding horse suited to all levels of rider.
Special skills: Packing loads of any shape, size, and weight.
Trivia: Americo had no name when Don Moncho first got him, reminding the crew of the song “Horse With No Name.” They wanted to name him for the band America, but masculinized it to Americo.
Americo stands patiently as Don Moncho packs for a trip home from El Claro
Martes
Bio: Martes has been el Rey of Patagonia Frontiers for all his 32 years of life. He has sired and grandsired a number of the horses in our herd and around the region. He has been a trusted partner and guide for many riders, but has a special bond with John, the Director of Patagonia Frontiers. At this stage in his life, Martes is enjoying semi-retirement and is used mainly for crew education and special occasions.
Special skills: Commanding respect with an unmatched air of regal dignity
Trivia: Martes is named for the Roman god of war and NOT the day of the week
Martes stands with his friend and loyal henchman, Budin.
Zancos
Bio: Zancos is a great pilchero and riding horse. He is often the second horse new members learn to ride, as he insists on being given clear and concise demands and is a great teacher. Zancos is often a fan favorite for new riders who enjoy the challenge of passing his tests and earning his respect. His name, meaning “stilts,” denotes his status as the tallest horse in the herd.
Special skills: Crossing rivers during high-water seasons
Trivia: Zancos is the eldest son of Martes and they are almost always found together.
Crew Member Maxim Makarov (’24-’25) was a proud member of the Zancos fan club
Fetch
Bio: Fetch is one of the most powerful horses in the herd and is greatly enjoyed by intermediate and advanced riders. With his big, athletic walk, Fetch never falls behind the group. When the wrangler needs to take a horse on a solo mission and cover rough terrain quickly, Fetch is often the top choice.
Special skills: Powering up rocky mountainsides without breaking a sweat
Trivia: Fetch was named for his favorite game as a foal - playing fetch with a wooden board.
Head Trainer Allie Rutledge (’23 - present) loves taking Fetch out as a lead guide horse and general adventure horse
Pimienta
Bio: Pimienta is one of the newest additions to the A team as she was only started under saddle a couple of seasons ago. She is an incredibly soft and sensitive ride to be enjoyed by intermediate and advanced riders.
Special skills: Responding to the softest touch of leg, seat, or rein
Trivia: Pimienta looks nearly identical to her mother, Ceniza, and will undoubtedly be a similar ride when she gets older
Pimienta grazes near the ranch in early spring
Ripley
Bio: Ripley is young and athletic, but possesses the level headed nature of a more mature horse. Although she was only started under saddle in the last two seasons, she is already a go-to horse for solo missions. Whether it’s tracking cattle through dense brush and barking dogs or chasing off feral stallions, Ripley doesn’t bat an eye or crack a sweat.
Special skills: Unwavering indifference to all obstacles
Trivia: Our fearless, red-headed Ripley was named after Sigourney Weaver’s fearless, red-headed protagonist in the film Alien.
She’s athletic, fearless, and photogenic too!
Valentino
Bio: Valentino was born into one of the feral herds that roams the valley, but he hung around the ranch enough that we let him join the herd. Our one condition was that he sire a few foals and then get to work. Three foals later, Valentino has been gelded and broken in. He is now a go-to pilchero for guest trips and plans to transition into a riding horse this year.
Special skills: The art of seduction
Trivia: Valentino is descended from the horses Don Moncho used when he lived in the valley full time. Don Moncho recognized Valentino as the descendant of an old favorite horse of his and wisely recommended that we let him into the herd to breed and train. All three of his progeny inherited his winning personality, sturdy build, and ability to take deep, practically comatose naps.
Valentino is indifferent to having a person on his back for the first time, and more interested in making sure the camera gets his good side.
Gitana
Bio: Gitana’s most recent claim to fame is mothering our famous Prince of Lago Plomo: Taragui. However, Gitana is a star in her own right as well. She is a smooth and responsive ride.
Special skills: Losing track of her child
Trivia: Gitana was originally a social outcast, but climbed her way to the top of the pecking order in her social group
Gitana has been in the background of Taragui’s story these last two seasons, but she’s ready to take center stage now that her maternity leave is over.
Paisana
Bio: Paisana is as slow and steady as they come and is greatly enjoyed by beginner riders. She also spent many years as an excellent packhorse, and as a result she treats riders with just a little extra care, being sure to give trees wide berth as though she were still wearing a large pack.
Special skills: Not bouncing riders’ knees off of tree trunks
Trivia: Paisana is Ceniza’s best friend and they will always be found together
Staff member and wilderness guide Zack Malwitz (’23-’25) enjoyed riding Paisana on his first horseback trip to our Cacho ranch.
Bahati
Bio: “Big Booty” Bahati is another sturdy mare representing her Criollo bloodline well. Bahati can ride all day over any terrain without wearing out.
Special skills: Staying bodacious through a harsh Patagonian winter
Trivia: “Bahati” is Swahili for “Lucky” and was named by staff member Michael Mtuy of Tanzania
New Horses
We’ve recently added a few new horses to our string purchased from local gauchos. We are still getting to know their personalities and aptitudes, but they are likely to feature prominently in this year’s adventures. Stay tuned for updates on our newest team members!