The Rocky Mountain Horse is known for its gentle manner making it a perfect choice for both amateur and veteran riders. It is a horse that can perform multiple tasks, whether you have a farm or a riding stable. It can tolerate harsh winter conditions with very little shelter, which was why it as prized by the pioneers who settled this land, especially in the rough terrain of the Rocky Mountains and the foothills.
There are certain characteristics that distinguish the Rocky Mountain Horse from other horse breeds. In order to be considered a Rocky Mountain Horse, the horse much be between 14 and 16 hands high. It must have a wide chest with a 45° slope on the shoulders. The eyes should be bold and the ears well-shaped. Although the Ricky Mountain horse can be almost any color, the most common color of the body is chocolate brown. The mane and tail are usually flaxen in color. If there are markings on the face, they should only be few in number and these horses cannot have any white on them above the knee or the hock.
It is the gait of the Rocky Mountain horse that sets it apart from most other horses. It has a four-beat gait that allows it to amble along, rather than pace. The beat of the four hooves is equal in rhythm in the following sequence - left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore. Although each horse has its own unique speed, these horses generally travel between seven and twenty miles an hour.
Since the Rocky Mountain horse is a good-tempered horse, it is easy to manage. With the gentleness it displays, it is a wonderful riding horse and one of the best breeds to choose when teaching children to ride. With their natural ability for endurance, the Rocky Mountain Horse is often used for endurance races and trail rides. They are also used in show jumping .
In order for a horse to be deemed a Rocky Mountain horse, it must meet the characteristics described above and be registered with the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. This association was established in Kentucky in 1986 in order to preserve the breed. Selective breeders pride themselves on preserving the strong bloodlines in the breed of the Rocky Mountain horse. They use resistance free training methods so that the horse's gentle nature shows through at all times.
