As the HSU Cowboy Band goes through final rehearsals for Boston, the Six White Horses are already on the road. “This is the farthest we’ve taken the horses by trailer,� says Debbie Jones, program director, “we’re going to stay on the road and keep stops to a minimum. They’re like little kids, they behave better when they’re moving.�

Logistics for the three-day trip are formidable. In addition to 300 pounds of food, and all the hay, and bedding, Jones and road crew had to load saddles, blankets, bridles, boots, halters, lead ropes, tie-downs, breast harnesses, saddle pads, brushes, curry combs, clippers, hoof picks, flags, flag poles, street banners, rasps, snippers, syringes, antibiotics, tetanus antitoxin, feed buckets, water buckets, needles, liniment, towels, wound dressings, leg wraps, extra curb chains, cinches, buckles, reins, shovels, brooms, flashlights, emergency flares, and, oh yes, six white horses and the little miniature horse, Mini Me.

Jones and her drivers left Abilene at 9:00 p.m. last night and have just passed through Memphis, Tennessee. “We’ve had the horses out once for exercise and will probably stable the horses overnight in Bristol,� says Jones, “The weather will be chilly, so yes, the horses will wear their striped pajamas.�