So, what is a Rocky Mountain Horse?                 Quite simply put:

               the most wonderful breed of horse on the planet! 

Despite their name, the Rocky Mountain Horse does not have origins in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. Rather, they hail from the Appalachian Region, specifically in the foothills of Kentucky and owing their ancestry to a stallion called Tobe.

A History....

The Rocky Mountain Horse is a breed of horse that has been developed in the eastern mountains of the United States for well over a century. These easy gaited ambling type horses have been prized by the local communities for generations.

It is said that around the turn of the century, there came a horse to this region from the west. He became known to the locals as the Rocky Mountain Horse and was bred to many of the saddlestock mares in the area. This "Rocky Mountain Stallion" was said to have had a smooth 4 beat gait and a dark brown body with a flaxen mane and tail. His most famous descendant would be known as Tobe.

A man named Sam Tuttle can be credited for being one of the most influential characters in preserving and creating this unique type of horse. He and his stallion, Tobe, helped to build  generations of tough yet easy going saddle horses suited to the aggressive and often harsh environment of eastern Kentucky. His stallion was known for his calm temperament and ability to be surefooted and easy to manage no matter what type of rider was on his back. Tuttle was quite fond of Tobe, as well were all who knew him. A popular breeding stallion of his day; "He was to Estill County, Kentucky-- what Man O' War was to Lexington, Kentucky."

Gaited horses declined in other parts of the nation where progress in roads, business  and travel was much more rapid. But, horses of this type survived in the hills of Kentucky where the economy was poor and travel was difficult.  Local people of the Appalachians did not breed their horses for pleasure or fancy, but rather for practicality and out of necessity. Today's result is a breed that is stoic, docile, hardy and extremely smooth riding.

The Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed in the 1980's to help preserve this wonderful breed of horse. Rocky Mountain Horses must be able to perform a natural and smooth lateral 4 beat gait. They can be of any solid body color and must stand 14.2 hands or taller for certification for breeding into the registry. For complete information on the Rocky Mountain Horse Breed please visit

           http://www.rmhorse.com