Since we're talking looks, I'll show you some pictures. I mention the stud's coloring, because the rather startling colorations available in the breed today are one of it's most recognizable features. Other than his unusual coloring, and the fact that he was bred to a geographically small sampling of gaited riding horses in Kentucky, that's pretty much all that's known about the stud who gave rise to a handy little breed. This horse came out of the Rocky Mountains, and was called 'The Rocky Mountain Horse.' In the late 1800's a stallion emerged into the limelight of the Kentucky horse world, which at that time was far more practical and far less race-focused than it is today. Rocky Mountain Horses have been known to gait at up to twenty miles an hour.

Each horse has its own 'way of going,' meaning that no two horses will have precisely the same gait or speed. This gait is natural, present from birth, and cannot be taught. The Rocky Mountain Horse is required to have a four-beat gait, meaning that, like at the walk, each hoof strikes the ground individually, rather than any two legs striding at the same time, as with the lope, which is a three beat gait. This gait is- regardless of what breed of gaited horse we're talking about, and there are several- faster than a walk, more comfortable than a trot, but not as fast as a lope, or canter, if you prefer. meaning that it has a natural way of propelling itself across the landscape that fits a particular rhythm and is, reportedly, quite comfortable to ride for long periods. The Rocky Mountain Horse is a gaited horse. Rather they were bred to be an all-around versatile beast of burden, sure footed and easy to ride. Unlike Quarter Horses, they weren't intended for the races. Much like the Quarter Horse these sturdy equines were bred to be multi-use, versatile beasts with the ability to work every day.

Every year, in September, the ‘Kentucky Horse Park’ (a working horse farm and educational theme park) hosts the ‘International Rocky Mountain Horse Show’ for the promotion of the breed.Today we're going to take a look at another uniquely American breed of horse, the Rocky Mountain Horse.

As of 2015, the association has registered approximately 25,000 individuals. In 1986, the ‘Rocky Mountain Horse Association’ was established to assure organized breeding, and thus, increase the population. With their growing popularity, the locals refrained from crossing them with other horses so as to preserve their natural versatility, thus keeping their blood relatively pure.

Initially, the Rocky Mountain Horse were bred in small numbers in different parts of Kentucky. A well-known breeder of the time named Sam Tuttle used his pet horse named ‘Old Tobe’ as the stud to a line of horses that resulted in the present day RMH breed.īecause of its even temperament, hardiness and the ability to withstand the winter, these horses became a favorite to the farmers and the local people inhabiting the rocky regions of the Appalachians. This breed originated from the American Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walking Horse in the early 20 th century in the east of Kentucky, USA.

Smooth-gaited, good at jumping, easy to train, suitable for novice owners and childrenĭo not require the same volume of food as other breeds of the same size do well in good quality grass and hay grains not required Individuals (usually the silver dappled) can be born with ‘Anterior Segment Dysgenesis’ (ASD), an inherited eye disease that appears within the age of four months, for which they require a screening eye examinationĪmerican Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse Trail riding, working cattle, light agriculture, sports (jumping, dressage, endurance) Willing and adaptable overall docile personalityĪ small head with large, bold eyes, a well-sloped shoulder and a broad chestĪll solid colors accepted by the registry, but preference is to ‘chocolate’-brown (also called ‘silver dapple’)ġ4.2 to 16 hands (58 to 64 inches, 147 to 163 cm) –

Dapple brown rocky moutian horae