The  rocky  mountain  horse

The Rocky Mountain Horse and Kentucky Mountain Horse have the sweet temperament of a puppy dog and the physical abilities of the best all-around horse you can imagine. They're surefooted and quiet.

Breed evolution: The Rocky Mountain Horse and the Kentucky Mountain Horse share the same rich history and beginnings in the tranquil rolling hills of eastern Kentucky. According to legend, an anonymous traveler from the Rocky Mountains arrived in the area early last century. The traveler traded a handsome young colt for supplies. Bred to local horses, the colt's offspring were the beginning of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. The next milestone occurred 50 years later, when horseman Sam Tuttle's stallion, Tobe, and his five sons were recognized as foundation sires of the modern-day Rocky Mountain Horse. Strong-built, with a distinct, four-beat gait, the horses became essential to Appalachian farms.

The strength and versatility of these horses became part of local legend, but remained an eastern Kentucky secret until 1986, when the Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed in Mount Olivet, Kentucky, to maintain and promote the breed.

Then, in 1989, Robert Robinson, Jr. formed the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association based in Lexington, Kentucky, to document and preserve the ancestry and rich heritage of the Mountain Saddle Horse.

The Rocky Mountain Horses are renowned for their striking chocolate coats accented by flaxen manes and tails. Many horses are registered with both the Rocky Mountain and Kentucky Mountain Horse organizations.