| The history of the Rocky Mountain Horse is an oral history. The Story tells us of people returning to Virginia around the Turn of the Century (early 1900's or late 1800's) after an unsuccessful attempt to settle in the West. Along with these people came a young stud horse, probably of Spanish origin, traded for provisions in Eastern Kentucky. This young horse was bred to the "saddling" horses found in that part of Kentucky, and eventually a colt named Old Tobe was born. Though this type of horse had no real name, Old Tobe became the foundation stallion for what we now call the Rocky Mountain Horse. Old Tobe sired many fine horses right up until he died at the age of 37, in 1964. There are still five sons of Old Tobe living today!  The Rocky Mountain Horse of today is known, as was Old Tobe, for its gentleness. The horse is a easy keeper and wonderful on the trail or at shows. They are calm, sure-footed and have a lot of endurance. The horse has an ambling four-beat lateral gait (single foot) that is natural and present at birth. No training aids (chains, built up shoes, etc.) are needed to produce this gait. In fact, use of these aids is prohibited by the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. Each horse has its natural way of going.
The Rocky Mountain Horse must have a solid body color with no white above the knee or hock. White facial markings are permitted as long as they are not excessive. many of the horses are chocolate-colored with a flaxen mane and tail, due to the high percentage of the horses that carry the "silver dapple gene".
However, the Rocky Mountain Horse is not a color breed, and many fine examples of the horse are chestnut, black, bay, chocolate and other colors. The horses must stand between 14.2 and 16.0 hands and have a wide chest, bold eyes, and well-shaped ears. Before the horse can breed or be shown, it must be blood-typed and certified by Association examiners. This is to insure that the characteristics so prized in this horse are present in each individual. Certification is usually done when the horse is about two years of age and may not be done before that time. Horses younger than two years old may be shown without certification. A genetic study was done by the University of Kentucky in the mid 1980's. The study determined that the Rocky Mountain Horse is a breed unto itself, different from all other recognized breeds of horses. There are "imitations" and the buyer must beware! The Rocky Mountain Horse is still a rare breed. They were salvaged from only 36 horses pure enough to be considered in 1986 when they registry was begun. There are now more than 3,000 registered. The horse is still on the endangered list of the American Livestock Conservancy. Those of us who raise this wonderful horse have worked very hard to preserve them and increase their numbers for future generations to enjoy. The purchase of a Rocky Mountain Horse, for whatever use you have in mind, will be the best thing you have done for yourself. You will take home a beautiful, people-loving, easy -gaited, lifelong companion and you will never regret it. We started with three, and now, we always have between 20 and 30 running the pastures of our farm. They are truly a joy. Thank you for your interest in the Rocky Mountain Horse. |
