The striking Rocky Mountain Horse.

By Equestrian Life

Despite its name, the Rocky Mountain Horse didn’t originate from the Rocky Mountains - rather, the breed’s history traces back to the Appalachian Mountains. The breed was developed in Kentucky, the horse capital of the United States, in the late 19th century.

 

A Rocky Mountain Horse with the distinctive flaxen mane for which the breed is known.

That being said, some records note the foundation stallion may have been brought to the Appalachian Mountains from the Rocky Mountains.

The breed is known for its preferred "chocolate" coat colour and flaxen mane and tail, the result of the relatively rare silver dapple gene acting on a black coat, seen in much of the population. They typically stand between 14.2 hands and 16 hands.

 

A Rocky Mountain Horse under saddle.

The Rocky Mountain horse also exhibits a four-beat ambling gait known as the "single-foot". This gait essentially replaces the trot. Originally developed as a multi-purpose riding, driving and light draft horse, today it is used mainly for trail riding and working cattle - however they have also proved successful at endurance riding.

The Rocky Mountain Horse is known for its "single-foot" gait.