A Mountain Horse is a gaited breed of horse originating in the
Appalachian Foothills of Eastern Kentucky. They perform a smooth
lateral 4-beat gait and are known for their exceptionally mild
temperaments. Mountain Horse Types can differ with differing
registries.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association was established in the 1980's to preserve and promote the unique chocolate smooth going horses bred by Sam Tuttle, specifically those horses originating from his renowned stallion, Tobe. These horses can be of any solid body color, must be examined by 3 qualified examiners to be entered into the breeding and show stock, and must be between 14.2h and 16h in height. The main purpose of the RMHA is to produce a consistent quality group of horses reflecting the original all purpose family trail horse desired for the foundation and creation of the breed standard.
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association was formed not long after the RMHA, with slightly different rules and breed standard. This registry allows horses to be as short as 11.2 hands or taller than 16 hands. Since the KMSHA has allowed its registry books to be open for a longer period of time, there is a larger group of this particular breed as well as a wider variety in type and bloodlines. The KMSHA also allows for showier animated horses to be featured in their show circuit. Even with the main emphasis still on pleasure and family horses, the KMSHA encourages and encompasses all sorts of lateral 4-beat gaits from slow going to speed racking.
Other Mountain Horse Registries are the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association, The Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse Association, The Spotted Mountain Horse Association and for show purposes only, The American Gaited Mountain Horse Association created by the United Mountain Horse Association to promote ALL Mountain Horses within a unified show circuit.
Alliance Mountain Horses Chris and Tara Stone 1341 N. Crause Pt Lecanto, Florida 34461 352-270-1662 or 352-270-1663 email: alliancemountainhorses@yahoo.com copyright 2002-2009
