Rocky Mountain Horse

Learn about the gaits, characteristics, and history of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed.

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Rocky Mountain Horse History

The Rocky Mountain Horse originated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky in the late 1800s.

Rocky Mountain Horse

The breed gets its name from its foundation stallion, a gaited horse from the Rocky Mountains.

The Rocky Mountain Horse was the farmer’s best friend–pulling a plow during the week and taking the family to town on the weekend. It was also the prized mount of area doctors and traveling preachers. The comfortable ambling, four-beat gait made it a horse that people of all experience levels could ride.

Rocky Mountain Horse

Today the breed is a favorite mount for pleasure, competitive trail and endurance racing.

Rocky Mountain Horse

Rocky Mountain Horse Characteristics

The Rocky Mountain Horse is a medium-sized breed that stands from 14.2 to 16 hands high.

Rocky Mountain Horse Conformation

Its comfortable four-beat gait is called the single foot (similar to the rack), in which each hoof hits the ground independently and can be performed at varying speeds.

Rocky Mountain Horse Cantering

The Rocky Mountain Horse is found in all solid colors with limited white facial markings.

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This breed profile was originally published on December 15, 2006.

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