Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Spotted Mountain Horse |
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| Country of origin | United States (Kentucky) |
| Breed standards | |
| Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association | Breed standards |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is a special type of horse breed that comes from the state of Kentucky in the U.S. These horses were first developed in eastern Kentucky. They were used as all-around farm horses and also for riding. They are related to the Tennessee Walking Horse and other gaited breeds.
In 1989, a group called the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) was started to register these horses. Later, in 2002, another group called the Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA) was formed. This group registers Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses that have a lot of white markings or pinto patterns. Both groups have the same rules for how the horses should look, except for their color. The KMSHA now only registers horses whose parents are already registered. However, the SMHA still registers horses even if their parents are not registered.
What Makes Them Special?
To be registered, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses must be taller than 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) high. Horses are put into two groups based on their height:
- Class A horses are taller than 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm) high.
- Class B horses are between 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) and 14.1 hands (57 inches, 145 cm) high.
Horses registered with the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) can be any solid color. They can have white markings on their face, legs, and small spots on their belly.
Horses with a lot of white are registered with the Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA). This includes horses with mostly white faces, white above their knees or hocks, or those with pinto patterns. Even if two SMHA-registered parents have a solid-colored foal, that foal is usually registered with the SMHA. However, solid-colored geldings (male horses that cannot breed) from SMHA parents can be registered with the KMSHA.
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses are medium-sized horses. They have strong muscles and a compact body. Their face is usually flat, and they have a medium-length, arched neck. They also have a deep chest and well-sloped shoulders. These horses are known to be easy to care for and don't need a lot of special attention. To be registered, they must also show a "gentle temperament and willing disposition" to the people who check them.
This breed has a natural ambling gait, which is a special way of moving. It's called the "single-foot." This gait replaces the trot that most other horse breeds do. Both the single-foot and the trot are faster than a walk but slower than a canter or gallop. Ambling gaits have four beats, meaning each foot hits the ground separately. A trot, however, has only two beats. The single-foot gait is much smoother for the rider because the horse always has at least one foot on the ground. This means the rider doesn't feel as much bouncing. This special gait also helps the horse save energy. More than 30 horse breeds can do a four-beat ambling gait, and some can also trot.
How Horses Get Registered
Mares (female horses) and stallions (male horses) whose parents are not registered with the KMSHA usually cannot be registered in the main studbook. However, there are exceptions if their parents are registered with specific other groups like the Rocky Mountain Horse Association.
Geldings (male horses that cannot breed) from unregistered parents can be registered if they meet the breed's other standards. Mares from unregistered parents can be registered as "Appendix" horses. Their male babies (colts) must be gelded, but their female babies (fillies) can be registered as full Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. The Spotted Mountain Horse studbook is still open. This means any unregistered horse that meets their breed standards can be registered with them.
History of the Breed
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse developed in eastern Kentucky. They likely came from smooth-gaited horses in the southeastern U.S. and a horse breed that no longer exists, called the Narragansett Pacer. They are related to the Tennessee Walking Horse and other gaited breeds. However, their exact early history is not fully known.
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses have a similar history to the Rocky Mountain Horse. Sometimes, both breeds are called "Mountain Pleasure Horses." Farmers developed the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse because they needed a small horse that could do two jobs: be a strong work horse and a comfortable riding horse. They were used for long trips over rough land. These horses were also bred to have gentle personalities so that young family members on the farm could handle them easily. Today, they are still used as riding horses. They are known as excellent trail mounts for riding in tough, uneven areas.
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) was started in 1989. In 2002, the Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA) was created. This was done to register horses that had more white markings than the KMSHA allowed. By 2011, the KMSHA had over 3,200 members and had registered more than 24,000 horses. Most of these horses are in Kentucky, but you can also find them across the U.S., in Canada, and a small number in Europe. The KMSHA and SMHA hold a joint championship show every year at the Kentucky Horse Park.
