Ask the Breeder
HAMILTON STUD FARM UK BREEDER CASSEY MORRIS TALKS ABOUT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
HORSE
A lot of the time I am asked the question, what is a rocky mountain horse? Why a rocky mountain
horse? And where can I find one?
There are lots of equine enthusiasts that have seen many breeds of horses but have not yet
discovered the Rocky Mountain Horse.
I would like to introduce to you the “diamond in the rough”- a Rocky Mountain Horse from the
foothills of the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky.
I will start by saying that there are many key factors that are very important when it comes to
understanding the basics of the rocky mountain horse breed. They are exceptional and are what set
them apart from other breeds of horses. They have an unusual need for human companionship, not
to different from a dog and owner bond. They are extremely tolerant and have a desire to please. It
is extremely hard to write about a breed that poses so many unbelievable traits that make it truly
amazing and un explored by the UK equine industry. Due to the rocky being discovered in Europe’s
equine sport divisions, the popularity is increasing because they are exceeding expectations. It is my
wish to further the knowledge and introduce a spectacular horse breed to the UK.
I like to label this breed as “A Mothers Choice”.
The key factors are Gait, Stamina, Versatility, Confirmation, Colour, Disposition & Easy keepers
GAIT
Rocky mountain horses can do all the gaits of other horse breeds that are non-gaited. Example: Walk
Trot Canter & Gallop. But due to selective breeding pure bred rockies have an inherited advantage to
a four beat gait.
Standard gait types of non-gaited breeds: Walk – 4 beat gait, Trot – 2 beat gait, Canter – 3 beat gait.
Gaited horse breeds: Walk- 4 beat gate, Amble gait – 4 beats gait, Trot – 2 Beat gait, Canter – 3 beat
gait.
This amble gait is an intermediate gait between walk and trot because it is more of a fast walk. Just
like humans can pleasure walk, we can also speed walk. Both classed as walking. Our speed walking
can also be the speed of a light jog or running. Rocky mountain horses just fail to make that gear
change and can hold that speed walk for as long as required.
Different gaited breed associations have different terminology of this gait.
The four beat walk can range from speeds of 7-20mph but with correct training can exceed these
average speeds. When the rocky reaches the maximum speed of the walk, it will then break into a
trot of a beautifully collected canter.
Some rocky horses can process other gaits such a fox-trot, stepping pace and pace. Flying lead
changes are significantly noticeable when viewing the horses natural talents in the pastures.
The four beat gait is very smooth when riding the speeds of trot onwards. The rider is usually
amazed by the speed they are travelling and the ground coverage made because no posting or effort
was required.
VERSATILITY
Since introducing this breed into the UK, I have realised that not many people truly understand how
versatile this breed is. I think more focus is taken by their looks, colour, temperament and gait.
As explained in my other article, Rocky mountain horses were bred particularly because they could
do everything. Riding, herding, hunting, ploughing, pulling cart and also fun activities such as pole
bending and jumping.
These horses are very much athletic although I would not say they are a specialist breed in only one
sport. A thoroughbred is a specialist in racing and like an 18hh jumping horse would clear extremely
high jumps. I would personally say that the rocky mountain horse could jump as well as any other
horse of the same size (hh), once trained to do so properly.
The rocky mountain horse is a great competitor in many athletic equine sports. I would say from my
experience that the sure footedness, temperament and willingness to do what’s asked, is what
makes this breed that much more exceptional and sets them apart from other gaited breeds.
You could not go and buy these additional traits and stick them to your horse/pony. You have to
have a truly purebred rocky to experience the amazement that will shock you.
Rocky mountain horses are now being experimented with in Europe. Many requests for European
sales are on the increase and even the far east of whom have recognised how versatile these horses
are. Rocky mountain horses have just started being used for dressage, endurance, le trec and sport
jumping in Europe.
Many people inexperienced to gaited breeds often say that a gaited horse cannot canter, jump or do
more detailed manoeuvres like dressage. This I would like to state is untrue. I have seen a true rocky
perform the Spanish walk, side passes, canter, pace, jump and climb steep terrain that not even I
could walk up without sliding back down again. These horses are extremely versatile and I think the
only sport I haven’t seen these perform is polo, of which I think the rocky mountain horse would also
suit quite well.
DISPOSITION
The rocky mountain horse has many unique qualities and one of these qualities is the ability to
remember things. They remember what they have been taught and can store these teachings in
their memory. Many examples are given in the RMHA with scientific findings. It is proven that if a
rocky mountain horse has been taught to sit, bow down, pull a cart or even a dressage move, it does
not need a refresher course. You could take it straight to the completion ring 15 years later and it be
just as good as the day it was taught. This has been proven but please always think about fitness and
lameness. If for instance your rocky acquired arthritis from an injury or tore a tendon or perhaps
fitness is poorer than its younger days, do not expect miracles but if the horse is in good condition
then you will see the surprising result.
Whilst I was in Kentucky I decided to take a trail ride through the mountains and as a test the horse I
picked to ride was pulled from a brood mare herd that are mainly left in the pastures to roam as a
wild herd that give birth naturally in the pasture of around 200 acres. This broodmare has only just
been covered by a stallion that also covers naturally in the herd. The brood mare had been handled
before but never saddled. So I took the risk of finding out how calm and easily broken these horses
are to ride. I put the saddle on and walked her about for a short while and she seemed ok. I was
getting a lot of ear movements and then I just got on. She moved about a little trying to balance my
weight and possibly wondering why I was on her back and then off we went. She walked through the
trees, branches stroking he sides, water rushing up her legs. It was as though she was going with my
guidance. If I walked her on she was acting as though I was showing its safe then she will trust I am
saying its ok. I found that the many horses I rode, they all trusted that if you ask them to do
something, then they will trust your cues and perform tasks based on trust and if you ask it they do
it.
Although I have found this calm easy disposition with many rocky mountain horses, I do not want to
say they are un-spookable. Every horse is different and accidents can and do happen. Out of other
breeds I have ridden I would say the rocky is less likely to spook or bolt at something compared to
what other breeds may have reacted to.
I would like to say for the safety of potential horse buyers of any breed that do not think a horse is
completely “bombproof” if labelled to a horse sale. There is always a level of risk.
The disposition of this breed also amazes me with the gentleness of breeding stallions. The breeding
stallion of many breeds are usually considered unpredictable and to be avoided. That’s why most
riding stallions or colts are gelded.
Stallions are not welcome to many horse events. Some event organisations require having a ribbon
tied in the tail for a warning of safety acknowledgement. The rocky mountain stallions are again
quite unique. It is surprising to some to know that the rocky breed is recognised for having more
stallions than geldings. Usually with some breeds, a colt/stallion is gelded early on in its years to
calm it down whereas the rocky mountain stallions are considerably calm around other horses and
mares.
As an example, I decided to ride my rocky mountain stallion out in the fields and mountains in
Kentucky. It was not an arranged trail path, i just headed towards the mountains and was daring
enough to see what my stallion was like to be ridden in new areas. He is 5yrs and was not really
ridden much prior. I opened a few gates and passed through fields and everything was ok. Then out
of nowhere, this herd of broodmares came running towards me with foals at foot. My heart sank
and I thought “oh my god”. I knew what other breed stallions would do so I was a little apprehensive
but because many other rocky horse trainers told me a rocky will always consider your safety in
situations… Well I thought this is the perfect situation but probably the scariest as there was around
20 broodmares.
He gave a snort and lifted his head and it was as though he thought “wow, heaven!!! I could be very
happy here” but he just walked where he was asked and we walked straight through that field and
out the other side. That was a reassuring test for me but realised once we had got to the other side,
we would have to go back that way! But sure enough after some more exploring, we headed back
and walked straight through that field again. I was astonished at the reactions of my young stallion. I
would not advise using that as a test to any novice rocky owner though.
When transporting my breeding stallion the shipper was amazed that the stallion has a calmer
disposition that what he had expected. There was no aggression. He could stand near mares without
the bolshie aggression usually found with many young breeding stallions.
The disposition of a rocky is overwhelming for a novice rocky owner. I introduced a gentleman
named Andrew Bevis. A very talented photographer who admired horses but from a bad experience
as a child, would not have any interaction but yearned for years to get close and take photographs of
horses. I asked him to come over and see my foals as they are only small. I am aware of the rockies
nature and thought what a great opportunity to let him get close to a foal and reconnect him with a
reliable nature of a rocky. I got him close to a mare and foal enclosure and asked him to join me. The
foals left their mothers side and came over to be made a fuss of. Rocky’s can be very inquisitive too.
This was a very overwhelming experience for him. Even now he has a close relationship with my 23
month old mare of whom he adores.
The curious and trusting nature of these horses with humans, make them an example of man and
horses companionship throughout hundreds of years that humans have evolved together side by
side in the Appalachian Mountains.
I hope that many other UK equine enthusiasts decide to experience the temperament and unique
qualities the pure bred rocky mountain horses have to offer.
STAMINA
I will start off on this section by saying WOW!
I have witnessed some tests of stamina with rocky mountain horses. I am not surprised to hear of
the success rates riders are finding in endurance trails in the USA and Europe. Rocky mountain
horses do excel in endurance and trail riding.
Since the numerous times of riding through the Kentucky mountains whilst staying with rocky Farms,
I was amazed how well these horses cope with hot temperatures and very long rough terrain
distances.
The rocky mountain horses have natural stamina. They also have slow twitch muscles that cools the
horses down easily with quick recovery for pulse and respiration checks in endurance competitions.
Amazingly there lower metabolic rate allows them to perform work without as much caloric energy.
Without these competitive riding events such as endurance, we would not have the possibility to
show off their examples of stamina in the UK as western trail rides are not as popular in the UK.
An endurance event for 2014 will in fact be including the UK breeders certified stallion Ultimatum of
whom is incredibly athletic. I have high hopes for him to show the UK that rockies can and do excel
in the UK and Europe’s horse sport and fei sports.
Going back to the evolution and selective breeding, only the fittest, strongest and sturdiest survived
which again are traits that purebred rockies have today and in the future with selective breeding
from the purest certified linage and professional recommended breeders.
SIMPLE KEEPERS
I consider the rocky mountain horses to be extremely easy keepers. I have known horse keepers of
other breeds to measure, weigh and heat their horses feed. Certain brands of feed and the best
quality hay. I know people that put pyjamas on their horses! Certainly it is crucial for specialist breed
of horses of sport certainly do need measured particular diets but with regards to rocky mountain
horses, the dietary and veterinary needs get a little odd.
They do not need the same volume of feed like other horses. Caution must be held not to over feed
them. Hay is a good basic source of food for these horses. Rich grass grazing needs to be closely
monitored as problems may arise. I would suggest holding back on grain whilst grass is available. The
rocky mountain horses are very hardy and well suited to rough conditions but horse keepers today
are generally only happy when they are giving their horse everything promoted by feed
manufacturers. At most I would give these horses a little mix with minerals in to make you satisfied
but problems do arise when feeding these horses too much of what you think your rocky needs.
A situation occurred where some rocky mountain horses were imported and the best quality hay
and top branded feeds were all ready and awaiting these new rockies. Clean straw beds and big
fresh containers of water. Everything was perfect and immaculate.
The horses arrived and placed into their new homes. Hours passed and there was no eating of the
hay or feed. It was suggested that maybe they were to stressed so were just left for a while. Morning
came and no hay or feed has been consumed. After much experimentation these horses would not
eat anything. Not even a polo mint. The beds of straw had been eaten. These horses loved to eat
course dry straw. So rye grass was instantly sourced and they started to eat. They would eat old dry
hay that was only good to throw away. Even today the only hay that is eaten is rye grass. Attempts
were made to slowly introduce hay but still they separate the two types. Unbelievable as it sounds, I
suggest doubtful rocky novices to source an experienced breeder and visit this horse breed in person
and see the true qualities they process.
Due to their hardy qualities, a farrier is not required as much as the usual UK bred horse. Many times
it has happened in the USA and Europe where farriers that are unfamiliar with these horses are
amazed by the hardiness of a rockys hooves. A general file is really all they need. When it comes to
having feet looked at their hooves are so tough that the familiar farriers suggest leaving the horse
unshod. Light hacking out every day is not cause to shoe a rocky. If the horse is going to be road used
every day then shoes are advised but often are not shod.
COLOURS
Without going into too much detail, rocky mountain horses have a unique colour variation. The most
attractive being the dark chocolate with flaxen mane and tail.
It is a silver dapple gene that has this effect on colour. Specialist selective breeding mixes are crucial
as gene testing is a must. A simple mix of genes of the sire and dam will cause serious deformities
and these deformities look undetectable by novice buyers that buy cheap affected horses. I cannot
express enough how crucial gene testing is on this breed. Blindness or poor sightedness is a
deformity that is undetectable by looking at the breed.
Available colours are blacks, bays, chestnuts, sorrels, duns, roans, palomino, bucksins and more.
There are no all white, paint or appaloosa horses in the pure rocky mountain breed.
Due to the fact that colour is a part of the rockys genetics; only solid colours are accepted as true
rocky genes. If both parents are of solid colour and the foal is of different colouring or more white,
then somewhere in the ancestry linage , an untrue rocky gene must have been introduced at some
point which will influence one or more of the rocky traits.
Due to the depth of detail explaining the colouring and genetics of the rocky breed, please purchase
a Bonnie Hodges book or discuss with a professional breeder such as Van Bert Farms. If I was to
explain this detail of genetics then I would be writing a very long page.
CONFORMATION
OVERALL
The rocky mountain horse contains a lot of qualities that surprise many equine lovers. The intensity
and detailed selective breeding programs that are required for this unique breed are only really
understood by experienced and trained rocky breeders.
A true rocky mountain horse is an amazing horse with an outstanding personality. It is sad that many
rocky admirers, unknowledgeable breeders and single owners hope to pass on rocky traits to other
breeds or unregistered rockies and it just does not happen. Instead it just causes unwanted damage
to a breed history that deserves to stay a unique breed that it is today from devoted breeding
professionals.
Please be sure that when viewing or buying a rocky the breeder is a professional breeder and has the
original correct paperwork and breedline history.
The RMHA (rocky mountain horse association) have good information about rocky mountain horses.
My breed stock is of true rocky genetics and would welcome and novice enthusiast to contact me
with questions on the rocky mountain breed.
This breed of horse is definitely “the mothers choice” of breed and more of a family addition that
will last the horses lifetime as the horse will perform to any level of riding that the rider progresses
to.
Long live the rocky! C J MORRIS – TRUE ROCKY BREEDER OF THE UK