Veteran's Canada-wide horseback ride continues in Newfoundland

It's a road trip with a purpose. Veteran Paul Nichols has been riding horseback across Canada, raising awareness about veterans' struggles and how to support them as they make the transition back into civilian life.

"We know that Canadian people love their troops, we know that we love our veterans," said Nichols.

"It's just that we need to create that discussion, that awareness for them to receive that warm welcome and that recognition in their own community."

• Paul Nicholls rides horse across Canada to change perceptions of veterans
• Veteran Paul Nichols on cross-country horseback tour for PTSD

I started spending an awful lot of time inside my own head and I went to a dark place.- Paul Nichols

Nichols and his wife Terry began The Ride Across Canada from Victoria, B.C. in April and have been on the road for more than 200 days.

Nichols's journey began with his own military service. He was a reservist with the Calgary Highlander's and then served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in the 1990s.

When the couple moved to Quesnel, B.C. Nichols said he experienced a great disconnect while starting a new chapter in his new life away from military service.

"I left that close brotherhood, I left the family and I moved into a community that thinks of a veteran as an old man," Nichols told CBC's Central Morning Show.

"It didn't have that same connection with our contemporary veterans, and I struggled and I had a very difficult time making that transition."

Nichols and his wife Terry operate a therapeutic riding center and have worked with the Canadian military teaching the basics of riding horses.   

Although there were a lot of things that led to the idea for the ride, Terry insisted it was mainly Paul's plan.

"We could see that our skills were uniquely suited for working with horses and working with veterans," she said.

Long road travelled

Nichols has travelled almost 8,000 kilometres in the saddle, at least 5,000 kilometres riding his bay mare Zoe. He said Zoe has played a huge part in his personal journey.

"I'd come home so proud of my service — telling my stories, they weren't warmly received … and so I quit telling my stories and I started spending an awful lot of time inside my own head and I went to a dark place," said Nichols.

"It was my horse that helped me out of that and really forced me to have a look inside," he said. "And it was my horse that played a huge part in the change."

Each person trains for a few hours with his wife, and then they ride through their own communities.

"It's a stoic group, they're not pounding their chests saying 'notice me, notice me what I do for you', that's not this group of people," said Terry Nichols.

"I know that it makes a difference I see that every day in the ride, how it feels so good to be proud of something you've done with all your heart and for someone to recognize that."

The ride may be nearing the end but because of such an incredible response Nichols and his wife plan to continue their work surrounding veterans' issues.

"We know that an investment into our veterans is an investment in your own community," said Nichols.

"It's when the guys pull their trucks over wearing a regimental jacket … and say 'keep on riding, your word is getting out,' then I know I'm doing the right thing."