About the Rocky Mountain Horse
Adapted from a 1997 Rocky Mountain Horse Association brochure:

Tradition has it that around the turn of the century, a young horse appeared In eastern Kentucky that gave rise to a line of horses that have been prized and treasured in this part of the country ever since. The basic characteristics are of a medium sized horse of gentle temperament, with easy ambling four beat gait. This gait made it the horse of choice on farms and the rugged foothills of the Appalachians. It was a horse for all seasons. It could pull plows in small fields, work cattle, be ridden bareback by four children to the fishing hole, or to town comfortably on Saturday. They even performed well hitched to the buggy Sunday morning to go to church. Fancy barns and stalls are not necessary because of its cold-blooded nature. It tolerated cold winters in Kentucky with a minimum of shelter. For these reasons, and small groups, the breed was preserved, sustained, and gradually increased in this area. Naturally out crossing with local horses did occur, but basic characteristics of a strong genetic line have continued.

In Sprout Springs, Kentucky, on the farm of Sam Tuttle, these horses found a nurturing ground. Sam, who had the concession for horseback riding at the Natural Bridge State Park, used these horses for many years to haul green and inexperienced people over rough and rugged trails. Old Tobe, his most treasured stallion, who fathered fine horses up until the ripe old age of 37, was a “sure” footed and as gentle a horse as could be found. He was the one that carried the young, the old, or the unsure over the mountain trails of Kentucky without faltering, even though a breeding stallion. Everyone who rode the stallion fell in love with him. He has the perfect gait and temperament. Many of the present rocky mountain horses carry his bloodline. The breed is known for gentleness. It is an easy keeper and a wonderful riding horse with a strong heart and endurance.

Old Tobe's offspring inherited his gentle temperament and his smooth, gliding gait. They turned out to be versatile, too. Old Tobe's descendents could be seen plowing fields, working cattle, pulling buggies and being ridden bareback by kids up and down the rugged foothills of the Appalachians. And because they had such a smooth gait, they could be ridden long distances without the rider getting too tired.

The Rocky Mountain Horse has a lateral gait (also called racking) instead of a trot. This means that you can hear or count four distinct hoof beats when he moves forward, just like at the walk. This is a natural gait-the Rocky Mountain Horse doesn't have to be taught how to do it. Nor does the gait require artificial aids like chains or built-up shoes. Each horse has his own natural speed, but most can travel 7-20 miles per hour while doing this gait. In order to be registered with the breed association, a Rocky Mountain Horse has to meet four characteristics:

1. The horse must be of medium height, standing 14.2-16hh, have a wide chest, sloping 45 degrees at the shoulder, bold eyes and well-shaped ears.

2. The horse must have a natural, ambling four-beat gait.

3. The horse must have a good temperament and be easy to manage.

4. The horse has to have a solid body color. Facial markings are acceptable as long as they aren't excessive. There may not be any white above the knee or hock.

Today the Rocky mountain horse is being used as a pleasure horse, for trail, and competitive or endurance riding. As show horses the breed is rapidly gaining in popularity because of its beauty and unique way of moving in the ring. The calm temperament of this horse makes it ideally suited for working around cattle and for 4-H projects. These horses have a lot of natural endurance, they are sure footed on rough ground and, because of their gait, require a minimum of effort by both horse and rider so that together they can cover a greater distance with less tiring. Most recently, Rocky Mountain Horses are being used in therapy to help children, adolescents, individuals and families at Fresh Steps EAP, Inc.