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Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
Family: Equidae
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Horse Breeds
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is a light horse breed, and one of the gaited horses. Light horse breeds generally weigh under 1,500 pounds. They are typically used as riding horses for leisure and trail riding. Being agile and swift, many are also used on the racetrack, in the show ring, and for work on the ranch.
Light horses are grouped in a couple of different ways, one being the continent or country where they originated from. They are also grouped according to training, classified as either a stock type, hunter type, saddle type, or 'other'. A body type is generally attributed to each class, with the 'other' classification being a bit of an odd ball. It includes those that are color breeds or those that may fit a body type of one of the training classes, but not be used for that type of training. The 'other' types can also include those that may fit into more than one of the type groups.
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse as one of the gaited horses, fits into the saddle type class.
Horse Backgrounds
Farmers living in the hills of eastern Kentucky have been industriously breeding horses for over 160 years to suit the needs of the families living in the rough, rural terrain of the area. They needed a surefooted, easy to ride, yet powerful animal to serve the whole family. They wanted a horse that could work in the field, pull a cart, and be comfortable for kids and adults alike to ride through the countryside.
There were no formal written records, yet breeders often kept pedigrees in their heads. They bred their mares to stallions that could advance the qualities they valued in their horses. The Kentucky Mountain horse likely evolved from the pacers and gaited horses which were brought up from Florida and the Carolinas some 200 years ago. Although the early pedigree of most registered horses is at least partly unknown, it is probable that they share some ancestry with the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Description
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is small to medium sized, but powerful. It is a medium boned horse standing between 11 and 16 hands high. It should have bold eyes, well shaped ears and a flat profile. A graceful neck of medium length with a long flowing mane attaches to well sloped shoulders and a deep, wide chest. It may be of any solid color, and white on the face and legs is permitted, but limited on the body to thirty-six square inches.
The Kentucky Mountain Horse is known for its stamina and surefootedness. It has three gaits; the walk, the amble or single-foot which is a very comfortable fast paced gait, and the canter.
There are several Mountain Horse registries, which differ primarily on allowable size and markings. Many mountain horses are double or even triple registered with more than one Mountain Horse Association. Some registries are:
- Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association: The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) was founded in 1989. Its focus is to try and preserve the characteristics valued by horsemen in the hilly regions of Kentucky.
- Spotted Mountain Horse Association: The Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA) is a subsidiary association of the KMSHA, it was founded in 2002. It registers horses that have spots, and so do not conform to the solid color requirements of the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association.
(Both solid color and spotted breeds are recognized by the University of Kentucky Equine Parentage Testing and Research Center as unique breeds, each with its own genetic DNA markers.)
- Mountain Pleasure Horse Association: The Mountain Pleasure Horse Association (MPHA) was formed in in 1989. The Mountain Pleasure Horse has a larger height requirement, with the lowest height being 14.2hh.
- Rocky Mountain Horse Association: The Rocky Mountain Horse Association (RMHA) was formed in 1986. The Rocky Mountain Horse is closely related to the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, but it traces its ancestry to a foundation sire called Old Tobe.
Horse Care and Feeding
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is an easy keeper and does well on grass hay and grain, with a vitamin and mineral supplement if not allowed to graze freely. They do very well in a pasture environment and are quite social.
Related Video:
Horse Training and Activities
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is supremely adapted to be a trail horse. Good for pleasure riding, endurance and trail, this is an excellent family horse for kids and adults alike. It is a good choice for new riders and riders with physical limitations as the gaits are smooth and easy to ride.
Common Health Problems
The Kentucky Mountain Horse was bred for its hardiness and is not prone to any special health or maintenance problems.
Availability
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is fairly available with prices that vary in range but are reasonable.
References
Personal knowledge
Judith Dutson, Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America,
Storey Publishing, LLC, 2005
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association, Georgetown, KY 1999
| Latest Comments |
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| I have aa horse like that, her name is Donut.
2009-08-13 |
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