HISTORY OF THE BREED Published by the Rocky Mountain
Horse Association @
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 a medium-sized horse of gentle temperament with an
easy ambling four-beat gait. This gait made it the horse of choice on the
farms and the rugged foothills of the Appalachians. It was a horse for all
seasons. It could pull the plows in the small fields, work cattle, be
ridden bareback by four children to go fishing, or to town comfortable on
Saturday. They even performed well hitched to the buggy Sunday morning to
go to church. Fancy barns and stalls were not necessary. Because of its
cold-blooded nature, it tolerated the winters in Kentucky with a minimum
of shelter. Naturally, out crossing with local horses did occur but the
basic characteristics of a strong genetic line have continued.
In Spout 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 as 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. He had the perfect gait and
temperament. Many of the present Rocky Mountain Horses carry his
bloodline.
The breed is best known for gentleness.
Today, the Rocky Mountain Horse is being used as a pleasure horse, for
trail, and for 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 4-H projects. These horses have a lot
of natural endurance, they are sure-footed on rough ground and , because
of their gait, they require a minimum of effort by both horse and rider so
that together they can cover a greater distance with less tiring.
In the summer
of 1986, those who were interested in the breed got together to
form the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. To that end, the
association has established a registry which has shown steady and
well-regulated growth in the number of horses registered. It is
critical that standards be maintained and a panel of examiners has
been set up by the association. To achieve this, ALL horses must
be examined for breed characteristics and approved prior to
breeding. The established characteristics for the breed are:
The horse must be of medium
height from 14-2 to 16 hands
a wide chest sloping 45
degrees on the shoulder with bold eyes and well shaped ears
The horse must have a natural
ambling four-beat gait (single foot or rack) with no evidence of
pacing. When the horse moves you can count four distinct hoof beats
which produce a cadence of equal rhythm, just like a walk; left hind,
left fore, right hind, right fore. Each individual horse has its
natural way of going, traveling, 7-20 miles per hour. This is a
naturally occurring gait present from birth that does not require
training aids or action devices (i.e. chains,m soring or built up
shoes.)
It must be of good temperament
and easy to manage.
All Rocky Mountain Horses have
a solid body color. Facial markings are acceptable as they are not
excessive. There may not be any white above the knee or hock.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association is
incorporated in the state of Kentucky as a non-profit corporation.
It is the goal of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association that the
characteristics that are so desirable in the horse be enhanced through
selective breeding. Our association is dedicated to the promotion and
development of the Rocky Mountain Horse. It is one of the finest natural
occurring breeds; it may be trained to compete in any horse related
activity and probably represents the most ideal horse for the family, for
the trail ride and for endurance purposes.
The Rocky Mountain Horse presents the strength
and stamina of America with its smoothness of a four-beat gait and style
of it Spanish background. It provides the discerning rider with a horse of
superior skill and beauty. It is obvious that from the small number of
horses in our registry, the availability of the Rocky Mountain Horse is
extremely limited.
