BEAR CREEK ROCKIES

   History of the Rocky Mountain Horse Rockies

       
     There is little documentation about the Rocky Mountain Horse from the late 1800's until the latter part of the 1900s.  However, the descendants of those who witnessed the breed's beginning back to the 1800s have passed down a verbal history of the breeds beginning from generation to generation. 

     The Rocky Mountain Horse breed began in the late 1800s in the foothills of eastern Kentucky.  These saddle horses were sure-footed, easy-gaited, and the mount preferred for spending hours in the saddle.  During this time a horse had to earn its keep, so they were not only the preferred mount due to their smooth ride, but they were used for plowing small fields, traveling steep and rugged trails, and for use behind buggies. 

     The families of eastern Kentucky had little to spend on the upkeep of livestock so their horses had to have stamina to withstand the harsh winters of eastern Kentucky.  Shelter was minimal and food was limited so only the strongest survived to become the foundation stock of the Rocky Mountain
Horse.  

     According to the RMHA, the Rocky Mountain Horse is distinct from other groups of mountain horses due to a strong genetic influence from the original ROCKY MOUNTAIN HORSE STUD COLT 1890.  Due to this stud's off spring being in a small confined geographic area, a strain of mountain horse developed known today as the Rocky Mountain Horse breed.  

    For more information on Rocky Mountain Horses, consider purchasing a copy of Rocky Mountain Horses by Bonnie Hodge.