Rocky Mountain Horse - horses for sale

The reliable and handsome Rocky Mountain Horse deserves to be better known. Its comfortable gait, surefootedness and gentleness make it a great choice for newcomers to riding. Many people who buy a Rocky Mountain Horse do so because it is suitable for both children and older adults. This great all-round utility breed has increased in popularity beyond its homeland, and so it is also becoming easier to find enthusiasts to sell a Rocky Mountain Horse. The breed has been greatly influenced by one important stallion, Old Tobe, who had the power to pass on his abilities and temperament to his offspring.

Origin and history of breeding Rocky Mountain horses

Some of the founding stock, including a stallion known only as “The Rocky Mountain Horse” came from Colorado but the breed itself is from eastern Kentucky. This is where another rugged mountain range, the Appalachians, dominates much of the landscape. Farmers and settlers in this once remote area needed reliable horses to carry out a range of tasks, from working cattle to ploughing. They had to be sensible and capable of carrying the youngest and oldest members of the family safely. The good-natured Rocky Mountain Horses carried out their jobs calmly and competently, including sometimes carrying several small children on their backs to go fishing! They were tough and hardy, surviving the harsh Appalachian winters with ease. They were also ideal mounts for travellers visiting the Appalachians, and this was to play an important part in their history. At the end of the nineteenth century, Old Tobe’s owner Sam Tuttle owned the horseback riding concession for the Natural Bridge State Park. Old Tobe had the perfect temperament for a pleasure horse, taking even the most nervous visitors safely through the beautiful and challenging landscape. He was also a very potent sire and since he lived into his late thirties, a great age for a horse, he passed on his stamina, surefootedness and outstanding temperament to lots of offspring. Their comfortable natural gait can be slow or fast, too, even occasionally reaching speeds of twenty mph (32 kph). They do not trot or pace - single-foot is their natural gait and it is preferred by connoisseurs who want a horse for riding distances. Knowing the outstanding qualities of their breed, the Rocky Mountain Horse Association was set up in 1986 to ensure its survival.

Use and characteristics of the Rocky Mountain Horse

Standing 14.2 hands (58 inches/147 cm) to 16 hands (64 inches/163 cm) high, many of the breed exhibit a beautiful chocolate-coloured coat with a silvery mane and tail. This is the outcome of the rare silver-dapple gene on a black coat base and the colour is another reason that purchasers like to buy a Rocky Mountain Horse. They are gaited, with a very comfortable 4-beat gait that is known as single-foot. Having raised their horses to work in rough terrain, enthusiasts who sell a Rocky Mountain Horse know their animals are in their element in the mountains.

Rocky Mountain Horses in equestrianism

East Kentucky was a meeting point for both Spanish and northern European, mainly English, stock. The Rocky Mountain Horse has shared ancestry with the Tennessee Walking Horses, Missouri Fox Trotters and American Saddlebreds, among others. It’s likely that the famed Narragansett Pacer, now extinct, also contributed. The Rocky Mountain Horse is a great trail and endurance horse, being especially valuable for older riders and those with physical issues or limited mobility. With 15,000 horses in the registry, it is on the US “watch” list for rare breeds.

Interior of Rocky Mountain Horses

The Rocky Mountain Horse is known for its gentle and friendly personality. They are often described as being calm and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for families and novice riders. These horses have a strong work ethic and are willing to please, making them easy to train and work with. They are also highly intelligent, and have a natural curiosity that helps them to learn quickly and adapt to new situations. One of the most distinctive features of the Rocky Mountain Horse is its smooth, four-beat gait, known as the "single-foot." This gait is naturally comfortable for riders, and makes the Rocky Mountain Horse a popular choice for those who enjoy long trail rides. These horses are also known for their sure-footedness, and are able to navigate rough terrain with ease.

Exterior of Rocky Mountain Horses

The Rocky Mountain Horse is a medium-sized horse, typically standing between 14.2 and 16 hands high. They have a distinctive physical appearance, with a compact, muscular build and a short, refined head. They are typically seen in a range of colors, including bay, black, chestnut, and palomino, and often have a flaxen mane and tail. One of the most striking features of the Rocky Mountain Horse is its unique coat pattern, known as the "chocolate" color. This is a deep, rich brown color with a sheen that gives it a distinct shine in the sun. The breed is also known for its "silver" mane and tail, which is a striking contrast to the dark chocolate coat.

History of Rocky Mountain Horses

The Rocky Mountain Horse was first developed in the late 19th century in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. The breed was originally used as a workhorse, and was prized for its ability to work on rough terrain and its easy-going personality. Over time, the breed was also used for riding, and its distinctive smooth gait was soon recognized as a desirable trait. In the early 1980s, a group of breeders formed the Rocky Mountain Horse Association to preserve and promote the breed. Today, the breed is recognized for its versatility and friendly personality, and is a popular choice for trail riding, endurance riding, and other equestrian activities.