The History of the Rocky Mountain Horse
| The history of the Rocky Mountain Horse is one of the most intriguing and mysterious of all. The Rocky Mountain Horse as a breed has survived and flourished on legend and hand-me-down tales. All those who were instrumental in the original breeding have long since passed on. All we have left are the recollections of their descendants. The breed originated in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky in the late 1800’s. At its inception, there was no need for any documentation of parentage or history. No one was aware that this utilitarian horse would become a highly desired pleasure horse of the future. In fact, the mountain horse was only well known in a localized manner. Outsiders did not hear of it for many years. The eastern Kentucky inhabitants considered this horse a horse for all seasons: a horse that could be used for plowing fields, herding cattle, distance traveling through steep and rocky terrain, and driving the buggy to church on Sunday. As sure- footed, pleasant gaited, and even tempered as they were, who could want more? These horses were a necessity to life, worked and used hard every day. Their stamina was such that even worn out each evening, they could recover and do the same thing every day. These horses were not pampered like the Thoroughbreds owned by the wealthy. They received no special care, resulting in a natural “weeding” out of the unhealthy and weak. The culls did not survive. Only the strongest lived to reproduce, therefore passing on the traits to their offspring. The Rocky Mountain Horse Association (RMHA) states there was a gaited colt brought from the Rocky Mountain region of the United States to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky around 1890. He was referred to as “the Rocky Mountain Horse” by nature of where he came from. He is credited with the start of the breed. Little is known about this stallion, but oral tradition is that he was chocolate-colored with flaxen mane and tail, and possessed of a superior gait. This stallion bred the saddle mares of the local area and passed on the dominating traits. Sam Tuttle was the most prominent breeder of Rocky Mountain Horses for the first part of the 1900’s. Gaited horses found smaller demand due to the increasing amount of good roads and automobiles. However, the less developed area of the Appalachians helped preserve this remarkable breed. Sam Tuttle is considered the man most responsible for continuing the breed's survival. His primary stallion was named Tobe. Tobe was remembered and still in demand even with the advent of tractors and farming machinery. Sam used Tobe on public trail rides at the Natural Bridge State Park. He would allow people to ride him, under close supervision. Always, they were amazed that the trail horse they were riding was also a breeding stallion. Tobe was used for breeding until he was thirty-seven years old and passed along the characteristics of the breed. The Rocky Mountain Horses of today are much the same. They are well known and respected for their gait, longevity, stamina and disposition. The chocolate color, flaxen mane and tail are a staple of the breed although there are other colors such as bay, palomino, buckskins and roans. This breed of horse has survived to become highly desired for trail riders everywhere. This is one legend that has withstood the test of time. Researched and Written by Montey Cantrell |