The Perfect Horse!
Why choose a Rocky? Why, it's quite simple - they are the best horse in every way! Ok, don't just take my word for it, do a little research on the breed and then visit a farm or two and meet some of them, you'll see! Every rider wants a beautiful mount who is a real head-turner - they want an alert, flashy looking horse that is eager to please and a dream to handle. Boy, have we got the perfect breed for you!
If you want a horse that is intelligent, easy to train, beautiful and is a joy from the show ring to the riding trail and can be used for any discipline, the Rocky encompasses it all! This hardy breed is extremely people oriented and gentle natured - making it a wonderful companion and their versatility is amazing!
"American-Made" - The Rocky Mountain breed, which began in the late 1800's in the foothills of Kentucky, is an all around horse that can fit any lifestyle. While considered a rare breed that is on the "watch list", their popularity is growing as more people learn about them and they can be found across the U.S., in Canada and even in Europe. No matter what kind of horse person you think you are - a Rocky can change your heart and instill a lifelong devotion! Described as the "all around horse" - they are wonderful! The more that is thrown at them - the more they show they can excel at it - Rockies have been proving their abilities in endurance, dressage, jumping, western eventing and obstacle events! But hands down they are the absolute best trail companion - sure footed & steady, they will go all day over, under, around & through and take great care of you the whole way! This "All-Terrain-Horse" can be taken off trail for a little "four-wheeling" and hill climbing - definitely a rugged horse in a lovely package.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed in the 1980's and thus began the organized preservation of a unique and special breed of horse. The Rocky Mountain Horse breed is different from all others in that it has been issued a Certification mark by the US patent office and each horse must be examined and certified to ensure that it meets the standards of the breed before it can be used for breeding or showing. They must meet requirements in gait, gracefulness, conformation, color and temperamant. In this way we are ensured that only quality horses are used for breeding purposes and that inferior traits are not passed on. Most breeds' only qualification is that the horse comes from two registered parents regardless of their traits - the Rocky Mountain Horse ensures quality!
Rockies can also be registered with the Kentucky Mountain Registry and gaited registries. But only a horse from two registered and certified RMHA parents can be registered as a Rocky! And every horse is DNA tested to ensure parentage is accurate.
The Rocky is beautifully shaped with an alert and interested look about him. They are very intelligent and possess a wonderful disposition that makes them very easy to train and handle. This friendly horse has a strong desire to be with their humans and please them, they catch on quickly and willingly and retain what they have learned. It's common to hear people tell of leaving their Rockies out in the field for months untouched, or even for years when using them as broodmares, then to bring them out of the pasture, saddle them up and ride them with no problems as if they had been ridden every day of their lives. They will hang out with you and be your buddy - they'd even come in the house if you'd let them. They are a very hardy horse (easy keepers) that are able to withstand harsh conditions with no special care and have great stamina. They are easy going and not spooky - yet have a very flashy look about them.
They come in many beautiful and unique colors that sets them apart from other horses. Famous for the "chocolate" color - the breed is one of a few to carry the silver dapple gene that dilutes black hair to chocolate brown on the body and flaxen to white on the mane & tail. There are also red chocolates, bays, chocolate creams, smoky blacks, buckskins, silver buckskins, cremellos, grays, duns, as well as many other colors. These beauties will catch eyes where ever you take them!
A gaited breed, they have a smooth ambling four-beat gait that comes naturally. No boots, weights or bands are needed (or allowed) to train these horses to gait, they are simply born with it. The effortless gait is super smooth to the rider and the horses can sustain it for long distances without becoming tired. Many people think gaited horses can only gait - but this isn't true - a Rocky can do all that any ungaited horse can AND they can gait in several speeds, it's like having a horse with bonus cruise controls! Of course - once you've sat their wonderfully smooth gait, you'll never go back to a trot!
Mare or Gelding? Colt or Filly? I can't count the times I've heard someone say they prefer a gelding over a mare because the mares are "mare-ish". I hate that people are willing to pass by a great mare because of this myth! Rocky geldings, mares and even stallions are easy to handle! When you come across a mare acting "mare-ish" that is a training issue (and possibly a health issue), not a gender issue! Any horse of any gender can misbehave or act moody if their rider allows it - when you have your horse's respect the issues disappear - so don't let anyone fool you about gender. Rockies of every gender are loving, intelligent and excellent mounts that will take good care of you on the trail!
The Rocky Mountain Horse is a joy both in hand and under saddle! Whether you are an experienced horseman or just getting your first horse - you will be able to appreciate a Rocky. In fact, I would highly recommend a Rocky for a child or a less experienced rider because of their temperament and ease of working with! Many times they have been referred to as the "golden retriever" of the horse world - and it's so true! I believe Rockies were created with an extra kind heart & soul! :)
To read more about the history of the Rocky Mountain Horse Breed click here.
To visit the official Rocky Mountain Horse Association website click here or click on the RMHA logo below.
