{"id":1588,"date":"2021-01-26T05:51:23","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T05:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/?page_id=1588"},"modified":"2021-02-04T21:30:37","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T21:30:37","slug":"1588-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/1588-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rocky Mountain Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The\u00a0Rocky Mountain Horse\u00a0is a\u00a0horse breed<\/a>\u00a0developed in the state of\u00a0Kentucky<\/a>\u00a0in the United States. Despite its name, it originated not in the\u00a0Rocky Mountains<\/a>, but instead in the\u00a0Appalachian Mountains<\/a>. A\u00a0foundation<\/a>\u00a0stallion<\/a>, brought from the western United States to eastern Kentucky around 1890, began the Rocky Mountain type in the late 19th century. In the mid-20th century, a stallion named\u00a0Old Tobe<\/a>, owned by a prominent breeder, was used to develop the modern type; today most Rocky Mountain Horses trace back to this stallion. In 1986, the Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed and by 2005 has registered over 12,000 horses. The breed is known for its preferred “chocolate” coat color and\u00a0flaxen<\/a>\u00a0mane<\/a>\u00a0and tail, the result of the relatively rare\u00a0silver dapple gene<\/a>\u00a0acting on a\u00a0black<\/a>\u00a0coat, seen in much of the population. It also exhibits a four-beat\u00a0ambling<\/a>\u00a0gait known as the “single-foot”. Originally developed as a multi-purpose riding,\u00a0driving<\/a>\u00a0and light draft horse, today it is used mainly for\u00a0trail riding<\/a>\u00a0and working cattle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Silver dapple-colored Rocky Mountain Horse<\/td><\/tr>
Other names<\/th>RMH<\/td><\/tr>
Country of origin<\/th>United States<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Traits<\/th><\/tr>
Height<\/th>14 to 16 hands<\/a> (56 to 64 inches, 142 to 163 cm)<\/td><\/tr>
Color<\/th>Any solid color allowed, but Silver dapple<\/a> coloration preferred<\/td><\/tr>
Distinguishing features<\/th>Singlefoot ambling<\/a> gait<\/td><\/tr>
Breed standards<\/th><\/tr>
Rocky Mountain Horse Association<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Equus ferus caballus<\/a><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Breed characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>A Rocky Mountain Horse performing an\u00a0ambling<\/a>\u00a0gait under saddle. This horse exhibits the “chocolate” color, with flaxen mane and tail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rocky Mountain Horses stand between 14 and 16\u00a0hands<\/a>\u00a0(56 and 64\u00a0inches, 142 and 163\u00a0cm) high. Any solid\u00a0color<\/a>\u00a0is accepted by the registry, but a dark brown color called “chocolate” with a pale, “flaxen”\u00a0mane<\/a>\u00a0and tail is preferred.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0This coloration is the result of the relatively rare\u00a0silver dapple gene<\/a>\u00a0acting on a\u00a0black<\/a>\u00a0base coat. Although uncommon, this gene has been found in over a dozen breeds, including the Rocky Mountain Horse.[2]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Minimal\u00a0white markings<\/a>\u00a0are accepted by the registry, although leg markings may not extend above the knee. The physical characteristics are somewhat variable, due to the disparate breeds that created the Rocky Mountain Horse.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The Rocky Mountain Horse is known by enthusiasts for its hardiness and ability to withstand winters in the mountains.[3]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0It is also praised for its good nature and affinity for humans.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Rocky Mountain Horses have the highest risk of any breed for the genetic\u00a0ocular<\/a>\u00a0syndrome multiple congenital ocular anomalies (MCOA), originally called equine\u00a0anterior segment dysgenesis<\/a>\u00a0(ASD). MCOA is characterized by the abnormal development of some ocular tissues, which causes compromised vision, although generally of a mild form; the disease is non-progressive. Genetic studies have shown that the disorder may be tied to the silver dapple gene, as most horses diagnosed with MCOA carry the gene.[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed exhibits a natural\u00a0ambling<\/a>\u00a0gait, called the single-foot,[6]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0which replaces the\u00a0trot<\/a>\u00a0seen in a majority of horse breeds.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Both gaits are an intermediate speed between a walk and a\u00a0canter or gallop<\/a>; ambling gaits are four-beat gaits, whereas the trot is a two-beat gait. The extra footfalls provide additional smoothness to a rider because the horse always has at least one foot on the ground. This minimizes movement of the horse’s topline and removes the bounce of a two-beat gait, caused by a moment of suspension followed by the jolt of two feet hitting the ground as the horse shifts from one pair of legs to the other.[7]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The value of an intermediate speed is that the horse conserves energy.[8]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0More than thirty horse breeds are “gaited,” able to perform a four-beat ambling gait, and some can also trot.[7]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Thus, a Rocky Mountain Horse, with rider, can use the single-foot to cover rough ground at around 7 miles per hour (11\u00a0km\/h) and short stretches of smooth ground at up to 16 miles per hour (26\u00a0km\/h).[3]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The faster speed is known as the\u00a0rack<\/a>.[6]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0In comparison, the average medium trot speed is 6 to 8 miles per hour (9.7 to 12.9\u00a0km\/h).[9]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>The mane and tail of “chocolate” colored horses are several shades lighter than the coat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern\u00a0Kentucky<\/a>\u00a0is known for its\u00a0gaited breeds<\/a>, created through a mixture of\u00a0Spanish horses<\/a>\u00a0from the southern United States and English horses from the North.\u00a0American Saddlebreds<\/a>,\u00a0Tennessee Walking Horses<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Missouri Fox Trotters<\/a>\u00a0also originated in the same general geographic area, from the same mixing of Spanish and English blood.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Rocky Mountain Horses have a similar history to the\u00a0Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse<\/a>, and together are sometimes called “Mountain Pleasure Horses”.[10]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The Rocky Mountain Horse originated in eastern Kentucky from a\u00a0foundation<\/a>\u00a0stallion<\/a>\u00a0brought to the\u00a0Appalachian Mountains<\/a>\u00a0from the\u00a0Rocky Mountains<\/a>\u00a0around 1890. Brought to the area as a\u00a0colt<\/a>, oral histories state that the “Rocky Mountain Horse”, as he was known, possessed the preferred chocolate color and flaxen mane and tail found in the breed today, as well as the single-foot gait. He was used to breed local saddle mares, and due to the small area in which he was bred, a local strain of horse originated.[11]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This foundation stallion produced a descendant, named\u00a0Old Tobe<\/a>, who became the more modern father of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. Old Tobe was owned by a resident of\u00a0Spout Springs, Kentucky<\/a>\u00a0named Sam Tuttle. For most of the 20th century, Tuttle was a prominent breeder of Rocky Mountain Horses, and helped to keep the strain alive during the\u00a0Great Depression<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0World War II<\/a>. After World War II, despite declining horse populations in the US, Tuttle kept his herd, and continued to use Old Tobe as a breeding stallion.[1]<\/a>[11]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Tuttle held the\u00a0Natural Bridge State Park<\/a>\u00a0concession for horseback riding, and used Old Tobe for trail rides in the park and for siring additional trail horses,[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0the latter until the stallion was 34 years old. Old Tobe died at the age of 37.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The presence of the single-foot gait makes it possible that the breed is in part descended from the\u00a0Narragansett Pacer<\/a>, a breed known for passing its gaited ability on to other American breeds.[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1986, the Rocky Mountain Horse Association was created to increase population numbers and promote the breed;[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0there were only 26 horses in the first batch of registrations. Since then, the association has, over the life of the registry, registered over 25000 horses as of 2015, and the breed has spread to 47 states and 11 countries.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0In order to be accepted by the registry, a\u00a0foal<\/a>‘s parentage must be verified via DNA testing. Horses must also, after reaching 23 months of age, be inspected to ensure that they meet the physical characteristic and gait requirements of the registry.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The Rocky Mountain Horse is listed at “Watch” status by the\u00a0American Livestock Breeds Conservancy<\/a>, meaning that the estimated global population of the breed is fewer than 15,000, with fewer than 800 registrations annually in the US.[12<\/a><\/sup><\/strong>]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed was originally developed for general use on the farms of the Appalachian foothills, where it was found pulling plows and buggies, working cattle and being ridden by both adults and children. Today, it is still used for working cattle, as well as\u00a0endurance riding<\/a>\u00a0and pleasure riding.[13]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The breed’s gait and disposition make it sought out by elderly and disabled riders.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Each September, the\u00a0Kentucky Horse Park<\/a>\u00a0hosts the International Rocky Mountain Horse Show.[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> c<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> d<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> e<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> f<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> g<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> Dutson, Judith (2005). Storey’s Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America<\/em>. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. pp. 214\u2013216. ISBN<\/a> 1580176135<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/li>
  2. ^<\/a><\/strong> Brunberg E, Andersson L, Cothran G, Sandberg K, Mikko S, Lindgren G (2006). “A missense mutation in PMEL17 is associated with the Silver coat color in the horse”<\/a>. BMC Genetics<\/em>. 7<\/strong>: 46. doi<\/a>:10.1186\/1471-2156-7-46<\/a>. PMC<\/a> 1617113<\/a>. PMID<\/a> 17029645<\/a>.<\/li>
  3. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> c<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> Edwards, Elwyn Hartley (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Horse<\/em> (1st American ed.). New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 358\u2013359. ISBN<\/a> 1564586146<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/li>
  4. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> c<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> d<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> e<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> Lynghaug, Fran (2009). The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide: The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Associations<\/em><\/a>. Voyageur Press. pp. 314\u2013317. ISBN<\/a> 978-0-7603-3499-7<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/li>
  5. ^<\/a><\/strong> Andersson; Lisa S.; Juras, Rytis; Ramsey, David T.; Eason-Butler, Jessica; Ewart, Susan; Cothran, Gus; Lingren, Gabriella (2008). “Equine Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies maps to a 4.9 megabase interval on horse chromosome 6”<\/a>. BMC Genetics<\/em>. 9<\/strong>(88): 88. doi<\/a>:10.1186\/1471-2156-9-88<\/a>. PMC<\/a> 2653074<\/a>. PMID<\/a> 19099555<\/a>.<\/li>
  6. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> c<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> “Rocky Mountain Horse”<\/a>. International Museum of the Horse. Retrieved 2017-01-02.<\/li>
  7. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> Strickland, Charlene (1998-06-01). “They’ve Got the Beat: Gaited Horses”<\/a>. The Horse<\/em>. Retrieved 2012-05-06.<\/li>
  8. ^<\/a><\/strong> Scanlan, Lawrence (2001). Wild About Horses: Our Timeless Passion for the Horse<\/em><\/a>. HarperCollins. p. 67. ISBN<\/a> 9780060931148<\/bdi><\/a>. Retrieved 2012-05-09.<\/li>
  9. ^<\/a><\/strong> “Tips and Hints for Endurance Riding”<\/a>. The Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc. Retrieved 2012-05-06.<\/li>
  10. ^<\/a><\/strong> Dutson, Judith (2005). Storey’s Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America<\/em>. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. pp. 144, 214. ISBN<\/a> 1580176135<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/li>
  11. ^ Jump up to: a<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> b<\/strong><\/em><\/sup><\/a> “History of the breed”<\/a>. Rocky Mountain Horse Association. Retrieved 2012-04-20.<\/li>
  12. ^<\/a><\/strong> “Conservation Priority Equine Breeds 2012”<\/a> (PDF). American Livestock Breeds Conservancy<\/a>. Retrieved 2012-04-27.<\/li>
  13. ^<\/a><\/strong> Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds<\/em>. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 353\u2013354. ISBN<\/a> 9780806138848<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rock-mountain-horse-head.jpg#\/media\/File:Rock-mountain-horse-head.jpg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    The\u00a0Rocky Mountain Horse\u00a0is a\u00a0horse breed\u00a0developed in the state of\u00a0Kentucky\u00a0in the United States. Despite its name, it originated not in the\u00a0Rocky Mountains, but instead in the\u00a0Appalachian Mountains. A\u00a0foundation\u00a0stallion, brought from the western United States to eastern Kentucky around 1890, began the Rocky Mountain type in the late 19th century. In the mid-20th century, a stallion named\u00a0Old…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1588"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1588"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2073,"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1588\/revisions\/2073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalequineinformation.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}