Horses have their value, but require a lot of maintenance. Packing with them into the back country is not for the inexperienced. As stated, consider hiring someone to pack you and your camp back and have an arrangement for them to come in if you have an animal and pack it out, as well as your camp. Horse ownership isn't for the fiscally faint. The animals are expensive, care is expensive, feed is expensive, hauling them is expensive. If they are something you would enjoy and ride most of the year, then they may be a good investment. If you want an animal to help out, consider Llamas or goats. Cheaper to get into and maintain, as well as haul and can carry what you want (depending on how many you have) while you hike.