![]() So, Glenda, have you always been a horse lover? One Central Coast resident, Glenda Scharrette, took the time to speak with us about her experiences with the Rocky Mountain Horse Breed. The Rocky Mountain horse can maintain this gait solidly for long periods of time, making it a great trial or pleasure mount for just about any rider, especially those with physical issues. The trot being a “two beat” gait causes the rider to bounce, requiring a slow down, which is the western “jog”, or for the rider to “post”, as seen in english riding, but the single foot being a “four beat” gait means that there is always one foot on the ground, creating a much smoother topline at speed, and thus reducing rider movement. A horse with a good single-foot is extremely comfortable, and there are approximately 30 known horse breeds that are “gaited”. Perhaps the most interesting and important characteristic of the Rocky Mountain breed is the smooth, ambling gait, called the “single foot”, which replaces the trot. Most horses are tested for this trait or syndrome when they are young. Sadly, the Rocky mountain horse has the highest risk of any breed for a disease called MCOA, which degrades the ocular tissue and creates compromised vision, and genetic studies have shown that this is related to the silver dapple gene. The Rocky Mountain horse carries a rare silver dapple gene that plays on a black base to create this unique color. Despite the relatively loose color restrictions, a dark brown color called “chocolate” with a flaxen mane and tail is by far the most popular and, arguably, the most preferred. There are some standards, though…height ranges between 14 and 16 hands, all solid colors are accepted, and minimal white is also accepted so long that there is no “body color” or white that extends above the knee. Wendy Conduc’s horse ‘Rocky’ at Home.īeing a relatively “new” breed in comparison to, say, the Arabian or Spanish Barb, the Rocky Mountain horse comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Horses from this line were prized for many reasons, but perhaps the most notable are the ambling gait, their generally easy going temperament and their signature beauty. Tuttle held the horseback riding concession for the National Bridge State Park, and actually used Old Tobe for trail rides, as well as for breeding mares in an effort to create more saddle horses for his string and for outside horse owners who were looking for solid pleasure and working mounts. Sam Tuttle, Old Tobe’s owner, was a proud and active advocate of the breed, and even during the Great Depression, he kept his breeding program alive. Interestingly, just about every registered Rocky Mountain Horse today can be traced back to the Old Tobe line in some fashion. In the mid-20th Century, a stallion by the name of Old Tobe became the foundation for what is now the modern day Rocky Mountain horse. Strong, confident, showy and comfortable multi-purpose riding and driving horse with some “flair”. Kentucky is well known for its love of the gaited breeds, and the Saddlebred, Missouri Fox Trotter, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse and Tennessee Walking Horse all originated in the same general geographic location for the same general purpose…a strong, confident, showy and comfortable multi-purpose riding and driving horse with some “flair”. But first, a little history on the breed itself.ĭespite the breed name, the Rocky Mountain Horse did not originate in the Rocky Mountains, rather the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. This month, our spotlight has been shined upon a local Rocky Mountain owner she tells us a little bit about her horses, the reason she chose the breed, and her favorite riding spots. You may not have recognized the breed, but it’s likely you recognized that signature smooth gait that makes it look as though the rider is barely moving in the saddle. Chances are, if you have done any amount of riding in and around the Central Coast, you’ve happened upon riders happily bobbing along on their Rocky Mountain horses.
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