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The humble beginnings of Gaited Mountain Horses evolved alongside the Appalachian heritage of the people who settled in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. The Kentuckians� principle objective was to breed a multi-purpose horse that could work the land, be ridden in style and comfort, and serve as an important economical asset. The horses had to be tough to survive the rugged mountain lifestyle, versatile to perform multiple tasks, and have a gentle, willing nature.
Gaited Mountain Horses descend from the Narragansett Pacer, Spanish Jennet, and ambling Galloways of Colonial times. These breeds were well known for their comfortable gaits and willing attitudes, which were an absolute necessity if you spent countless hours in the saddle as your primary mode of transportation.
According to oral history, there was a gaited colt brought from the Rocky Mountain region of the United States to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky around 1890. He was referred to as "the Rocky Mountain Horse" by the local Kentucky people because of the area of the country from which he had come. Little is known about this foundation stallion, but oral history indicated he was chocolate-colored with flaxen mane and tail, and he possessed a superior gait. The stallion was bred to the local Appalachian saddle mares in a relatively small geographical area where the basic characteristics of the strong genetic line we know today was established. This prized line of horses increased in numbers as years went by, branching out in similar, yet distinctively different ways. These are the horses known today under the registries of Mountain Pleasure Horse, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, and Rocky Mountain Horse.
Gait
The distinctive, easy riding gait is difficult to describe, but once you've experienced it, you won't settle for anything else. The horse does not trot; but instead moves each foot independently and laterally - left hind, left front, right hind, right front absorbing the bounce of the gait in its ankles, rather than passing that bounce along to the rider.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association�s definition of this gait is �an evenly spaced, four beat lateral gait with moderate forward speed and extension, without exaggerated knee and hock action.�
The gait is natural. It is maximized by careful selection and responsible breeding, and refined through proper training, consistency and repetition. One of the joys of breeders of Gaited Mountain Horses is to see a young foal �hitting a lick� as it keeps up with its mother�s long strides.
As a rider gets to know his or her mountain horse, they will find the horse can be ridden at varying speeds while maintaining the same smooth, comfortable gait. And there's nothing quite like the �pick-a-pock-a� sound of a Mountain Horse gaiting down a blacktop road.
Versatility
Today, Rocky Mountain Horses and Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses are being used as a pleasure horses, for trail, competitive or endurance riding, and for show. These horses have a lot of natural endurance; they are sure-footed on rough ground and, because of their gait, they require a minimum of effort by both horse and rider so that together they can cover a greater distance with less tiring.

"Absolute" statements are "always" wrong!

I don't like too much white in their eyes, and their eye shouldn't be rolling around in their head either; kidding but true.

Cacadori
I was reading over the description of your horses and am trying to figure out if you might be describing a single footed gait. Just wondering. Cheers NC

Interesting. I'm coming aboard late here. Have to agree with you totally on how the specialization of the Quarter Horse is ruining the breed. Still, I am a little wary of alternatives as I've seen them come and go as I enter my 60th year. So, with your horses, how is their headset, what's their typical size, and do they take to cow work instinctively? Sorry, if the questions are repetitive.

or neck....


been awhile since i heard that one ironbender.

I don't like too much white in their eyes, and their eye shouldn't be rolling around in their head either; kidding but true.

I'm not too sure about outward signs. I do like to see how a horse reacts under pressure. If you really start pressuring a horse they'll always go back to the first things they learned, and that will tell you a lot about their training foundation. Getting them out of the enviroment they're comfortable in, start asking them and see what you get.

I've heard a bit about the swirl - as the number of swirls increase the horse's personality becomes more "complex".

I think there are too many variables to rely on a swirl pattern.

Pat. That #2 shoe is a pretty big piece of iron.

Jordan, registered big quarter horse on the left. Stretch, quarter horse thoroughbred cross. (his gandpappy was Secretariat)

IMLE, always buy local if you can. An honest seller will let you have some time with the horse.

Most outfitters out our way use draft quarter horse crosses. Keep the "dudes" safe in the high country.

Well I guess all the real outfitters I know are just liars. 300 pound dudes ? Considering how few 300 pound men there are who are active hunters, one would hardly select quarter/draft crosses for the off chance of a 300 pound hunter.

They (the outfitters) tell me these horse are safe on the trail, tough enough being ridden every other day w/o ill effects and are superior in snow.

But what could I know .... I only live there.

I am amazed at the belief of the premier Colorado "bossman" to think that he can demand that I dig out Stretch's papers, scan them and post them here for his benefit.

Actually, they are in the safe deposit box in WY so I can't get at them until after June. Now if he wants to make it worth my while to disprove his veiled allegation that I am a liar, I would be happy to do that come Summer. Otherwise, not worth the effort as I have $10,000 coming in from Bricktop in June.

They (the outfitters) tell me these horse are safe on the trail, tough enough being ridden every other day w/o ill effects and are superior in snow.

But what could I know .... I only live there.

Sorry I confused MT with CO....equally dumb, keep electing Democraps.

Hey there all! Just wanted to let the horse folks around here know that I've got a saddle for sale in the "Free Classifieds" section. It's an "extra" so to speak, considering I have three and no horse. On that note, though, does anyone out there know of some good ranch horse breeders, or of a specific ranch-type horse that might be for sale in a month or two? Now that I've graduated and am gainfully employed, I have time (and funds) for my own horse.

Breed doesn't really matter to me--although I'm especially fond of foundation bred, stocky types with great bone. However, I've had plenty of fun on BLM mustangs, Appies, Arabs, and Walkers. I really just want to find something sound that can get me back to camp in the mountains. Age doesn't matter either--although I'd actually prefer a younger horse that hasn't been handled too much. I love ranch-breds who've actually had the chance to properly develop in the wide open spaces.

Here's the saddle, it's a MacPherson:

I used it a lot for fun little "Wild West" shows I performed in at a local historical park. Here I am with one of my best friends, an Appendix gelding named Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the park won't sell him to me

How about dark vs white hooves? The farrier down the road from swears it makes a difference. Haven't done enough myself to draw a conclusion yet.

Once I figured out why she wouldn't listen to me, I trusted her more