Topics: Breeds : Rocky Mountain
Tradition has it that around the late 1890's, settlers returning from the west brought back to Virginia, and eventually Eastern Kentucky, a young stallion of distinctly Spanish lineage. This stallion was crossed with local mares, and one of the offspring was Old Tobe, the remarkable foundation sire of what was later to become known as the Rocky Mountain Horse. The basic characteristics are of a medium-sized horse of gentle temperament with an easy ambling four beat gait. This gait made it the horse of choice on the farms and the rugged foothills of the Appalachians. It was a horse for all seasons. It could pull the plows in the small fields, work cattle, be ridden bareback by four children to the fishing hole, or to town comfortably on Saturday. They even performed well hitched to the buggy Sunday morning to go to church. It tolerated the winters in Kentucky with a minimum of shelter, and for these reasons the breed was preserved, although in very small numbers.
Breeders
Tradition has it that around the late 1890's, settlers returning from the west brought back to Virginia, and eventually Eastern Kentucky, a young stallion of distinctly Spanish lineage.
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