History has it that a family from Virginia journeyed west to the Rocky Mountains to start a venture in the new frontier. Unsuccessful in their venture, in the 1890's they headed back to their home in Virginia. Following the family's covered wagon was their mare and a stud colt by her side. On their return trip they stopped to spend the night at Log Lick, Kentucky. The next morning they sold or traded the stud colt to a Kentucky man for provisions to continue their journey home. The stud colt was the beginning of the remarkable Rocky Mountain Horse. The early history was remembered and told by Sam Tuttle, who was known as the “father of the breed”. Sam Tuttle was born in 1906 and died at the age if 81 in 1988.

According to Sam Tuttle, that original stud colt later produced a well-known stallion that belonged to his Uncle Frank Tuttle who lived by a creek in Estill County in Kentucky. The farmers in this area valued these horses since the late 1800's for their naturally smooth gait, beautiful colors, easy-going temperament and versatility. They could pull plows in the small fields or work cattle, while bareback they could carry a precious cargo of four children to their favorite fishing hole. They even performed well hitched to the buggy to go to church on Sunday morning. Fancy barns and stalls were not necessary because of the horse's cold-blooded nature, tolerating the winters with a minimum of shelter. “I bought my first mare in 1918”, Tuttle said. “She was a dark mare. She was the Rocky Mountain stock”. In buying the two-year old mare, Tuttle became part of the Breed's history. She was descended from the stud colt brought from the Rocky Mountains and with her he established his own line of Rocky Mountain Horses. Sam Tuttle, who lived in Spout Springs, Kentucky, was quoted as saying that the offspring from this first mare, even to the fourth and fifth generation, maintained the original gait that appealed to anyone who had to spend long hours in the saddle.

When Tuttle was about 18 years old he took his first Rocky Mountain mare to Henry Hinz, to be bred to a stallion that descended from Tuttle's uncle's horse. The Hinz stud was described by many as having the old-time Spanish characteristics, evidence of a strong genetic link with the stud colt whose origins had roots in the Rocky Mountains of pioneer west. One of Tuttle's mares produced a chocolate colt with flaxen mane and tail that Tuttle named Tobe, who is the foundation stallion of the Rocky Mountain Horse and grandsire of many of today's registered Rocky Mountain Horses.

Sam Tuttle owned the horseback riding concession in Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park. One of his most reliable and treasured trail horses was his stallion named Tobe, who fathered fine horses up until the ripe old age of 37. He was as “sure” footed and gentle as a horse could be. He was the one that carried the young, the old and the unsure over the mountain trails of Kentucky without faltering, even though a breeding stallion. Everyone who rode the stallion fell in love with him for his perfect gait and temperament. Five of Tobe's sons were the foundation stallions of the breed. They were registered with the Rocky Mountain Horse Association, which was influential in establishing the foundation of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. Yankee is the only remaining son of Tobe and resides near St. Louis.

In 1986, a small group who was interested in preserving the breed got together to form the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. The purpose of this association is to maintain the breed, to increase the number of horses in the breed, and expand the area which has knowledge of this fine horse. To that end, the association has established a registry that has shown steady and well-regulated growth in the number of horses registered. It is critical that standards be maintained and a panel of examiners has been set up by the association to provide vigorous supervision to the growth and development of the breed. To achieve this ALL horses must be examined for breed characteristics and approved prior to breeding. The established characteristics for the breed are (l) the horse must be of medium height from 14-2 to 16 hands. (2) The horse must have a natural ambling four beat gait. This is a naturally occurring gait present from birth that does not require any training aids or action devices with speed varying from 7 – 20 miles per hour. (3) It must be of good temperament and easy to manage. (4) All Rocky Mountain Horses have a solid body color. Facial markings are acceptable so long as they are not excessive and there may not be any white above the knee or hock. Although the breed is often known for it's distinctive chocolate body color with flaxen mane and tail, these horses do come in a variety of colors as demonstrated here today.

Today the Rocky Mountain Horse is being used as a pleasure horse, in field trials, for trail, competitive and endurance riding as well as shows. The calm temperament of this horse makes it ideally suited for working around cattle and for 4-H projects. The Rocky Mountain Horse is an easy keeper and a wonderful riding horse with a strong heart and natural endurance. They are sure-footed on rough ground and because of their ground-hugging gait, often referred to as a “daisy-clipper”; they require a minimum of effort by both horse and rider so that together they can cover a greater distance with less tiring.

2005 marks the 18th Anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association! There are members throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. If you are interested in purchasing a Rocky Mountain Horse or finding out more about the breed, feel free to contact the members of the Central States Rocky Mountain Horse Club.