The Rocky Mountain Horse originated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky in the late 1800s.
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.
Today the breed is a favorite mount for pleasure, competitive trail and endurance racing.
The Rocky Mountain Horse is a medium-sized breed that stands from 14.2 to 16 hands high.
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.
The Rocky Mountain Horse is found in all solid colors with limited white facial markings.
Further Reading:
This breed profile was originally published on December 15, 2006.
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