This sure-footed, medium sized horse descended from the mountains of eastern Kentucky. His lines date back to a mellow trail horse of Spanish blood named Old Tobe who carried many riders, beginner to advance through the rocky terrain of the mountains of Kentucky. A rich chocolate brown coat with a flaxen mane and tail can sometimes easily distinguish his colour, but he may also be any other solid colour with very little white. This newer breed is the Rocky Mountain Horse.

The basic characteristics of the breed is a medium sized horse, ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands high, with a very gentle and forgiving temperament along with a steady 4 beat gait. Unlike many other gaited breeds, the Rocky Mountain horse does not need to have its gait enhanced by shoes, but is natural. These easy keepers can have a solid coat colour with very few face markings however, there can be no white above the knee. The chocolate brown coat with a flaxen mane and tail is often a signature mark of the breed, but is not confined to this colour. To be accepted in the breed registry, the horses need to be between the height limit, have a wide chest that slopes 45 degrees at the shoulder and big bold eyes and well-shaped ears.

The people of Kentucky for many reasons other than its amazing temperament treasure the Rocky Mountain horse. In the past, these horses have been used to plough fields, work cattle, for pleasure and competitive riding and in harness. Today they are remarkable trail, pleasure and endurance horses because of their gait and also excel in the show ring and with children in 4H.

One of the most influential stallions to the Rocky Mountain breed was the trail stallion Old Tobe. Old Tobeís owner, Sam Tuttle of South Springs, Kentucky, ran a trail riding concession at the Natural Bridge State Park. The stallion was extremely sure footed and was incredibly gentle. He took nervous and inexperienced riders over the rough terrain without a false steep and was used until he was 39 years old. Old Tobe was loved by everyone and many of the people in that area bred their mares to him because of his temperament. The majority of Rocky Mountain horses trace back to him.

The Rocky Mountain Horse's physical and mental characteristics are helping the population of the breed increase rapidly. This unique horse has stepped into the hearts of many people and undoubtedly many more to come.