As oral history goes,
the Rocky Mountain Horse's story began not in the Rocky Mountains, but in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky...
Sometime just before the turn of the century, around 1890, a family undertook the journey to return east from the West. They stopped in Kentucky and traded a chocolate colored colt for food and provisions, to be able to continue back east. Oral history states that this colt was chocolate with a flaxen mane and tail with a smooth pleasing gait, and he was dubbed "the Rocky Mountain Horse" after the region from which he had come. The locals began breeding their saddle mares to him, and a unique line of horses was developed. These horses were smooth and comfortable to ride for long distances, strong and able to plow the fields, sort the cattle, and sensible horses that would take the family to church and the kids down to the water hole. They were rugged enough to survive in the mountains, used for all purposes and met all demands of their harsh mountain life. They were a utility animal, and they earned their keep.
The Rocky Mountain Horse survived the Great Depression through the efforts of one man, Sam Tuttle, who was the most prominent breeder through the first three quarters of the twentieth century. Even through those hard times he kept a good sized herd of 30 to 40 mares. His stallion, TOBE, is the sire of sires of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. He was a smooth gaited chocolate/flaxen stallion that often carried Sam's guests on trail rides at the National Bridge State park, and won the hearts of all who knew and rode him. People could hardly believe such a quiet mannered, gentle tempered and smooth riding horse was indeed a breeding stallion. Even as the horse population was declining due the advancement of farm machinery, Tobe's offspring were in high demand, and people would bring their mares from states away for his stud service. He was used as a breeding stallion into his 34th year, and died at 37. He was sired by 'Old Tobe', who was sired by the original Rocky Mountain Horse, and his dam was by Old Bob, a 5 gaited saddlebred.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed by founder Rea Swan in 1986 to preserve and promote the breed. Rea was raised in a family of horseman, and first learned about these special horses in Estill Co., Kentucky, around 1980. As she learned more about them, a great interest grew, and by 1982 she had several Rockies, and the ideas of a registry were forming. After traveling almost 100,000 miles searching for Rockies and researching, she founded the RMHA in 1986.
Tobe is found in the lineage of all Rockies today. He had many sons and daughters. The five most well known and reputed sons of Tobe are Sewell's Sam, Sam Clemon's Tim, Maple's Squirrel, Yankee, and Kilburn's Chocolate Sundown.
Sewell's Sam's offspring have earned him the reputation of producing the most laid back, mild tempered, and easy going offspring. His notable son's include the famous Buddy Roe (now deceased), Broken Bone's Sam'Son, Amego, Toco Sam, Sam I Am, and Cedar Hill Sam.
Sam Clemon's Tim is known for his beauty and his presence. His offspring include fine stallions like Blue Smokin' Sambo, Nick, Silverado, Kojak, Tompee, Wireman's Tex, Jubal T. and Ole Time Hershey Boy, and reputed mares such as Anna's Special Penny, C.J. Lightfoot Sis, J.K.'s Sissy, and Yellow Rose Fancy Dancer, and Carmella.
Maple's Squirrel is known for his even temperament, mild disposition, and was named for his ability to "go up a mountain like a squirrel going up a tree." He was a known carrier of the creme gene. He produced many fine mares, including Hope's Spring's Belen, a staple of Rea Swan's program, as well as fine stallions such as Something Special, Squirrel's Fancy, Classic's Squirrel, and Squirrel's Legacy.
Yankee was the largest of the Tobe sons, standing a commanding 15.2. He was a beautiful silver bay. He is known for producing sizable and intelligent offspring. His offspring include Pedro, Yankee Clipper, Yankee Traveler, China Blue, Caramel Coffee, Red Gail, and C.J. Little Sue.
Kilburn's Chocolate Sundown, also known as the 'Ohio Horse' produced more offspring than any other Rocky, with a get of over 600 horses to his credit. He was known for his conformation, beauty and animated gait. His sons include the famous Johnson's Tobe, Dan's Dusty Action, and Helen's Sun, as well as Rea Swan's stallions Nuncio and Spanish Sundown, the father of almost all grullas in the registry, including our very own, very well proven SUNDOWN COWBOY!!!
The Rocky Mountain Horse survived the Great Depression through the efforts of one man, Sam Tuttle, who was the most prominent breeder through the first three quarters of the twentieth century. Even through those hard times he kept a good sized herd of 30 to 40 mares. His stallion, TOBE, is the sire of sires of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. He was a smooth gaited chocolate/flaxen stallion that often carried Sam's guests on trail rides at the National Bridge State park, and won the hearts of all who knew and rode him. People could hardly believe such a quiet mannered, gentle tempered and smooth riding horse was indeed a breeding stallion. Even as the horse population was declining due the advancement of farm machinery, Tobe's offspring were in high demand, and people would bring their mares from states away for his stud service. He was used as a breeding stallion into his 34th year, and died at 37. He was sired by 'Old Tobe', who was sired by the original Rocky Mountain Horse, and his dam was by Old Bob, a 5 gaited saddlebred.
The Rocky Mountain Horse Association was formed by founder Rea Swan in 1986 to preserve and promote the breed. Rea was raised in a family of horseman, and first learned about these special horses in Estill Co., Kentucky, around 1980. As she learned more about them, a great interest grew, and by 1982 she had several Rockies, and the ideas of a registry were forming. After traveling almost 100,000 miles searching for Rockies and researching, she founded the RMHA in 1986.
Tobe is found in the lineage of all Rockies today. He had many sons and daughters. The five most well known and reputed sons of Tobe are Sewell's Sam, Sam Clemon's Tim, Maple's Squirrel, Yankee, and Kilburn's Chocolate Sundown.
Sewell's Sam's offspring have earned him the reputation of producing the most laid back, mild tempered, and easy going offspring. His notable son's include the famous Buddy Roe (now deceased), Broken Bone's Sam'Son, Amego, Toco Sam, Sam I Am, and Cedar Hill Sam.
Sam Clemon's Tim is known for his beauty and his presence. His offspring include fine stallions like Blue Smokin' Sambo, Nick, Silverado, Kojak, Tompee, Wireman's Tex, Jubal T. and Ole Time Hershey Boy, and reputed mares such as Anna's Special Penny, C.J. Lightfoot Sis, J.K.'s Sissy, and Yellow Rose Fancy Dancer, and Carmella.
Maple's Squirrel is known for his even temperament, mild disposition, and was named for his ability to "go up a mountain like a squirrel going up a tree." He was a known carrier of the creme gene. He produced many fine mares, including Hope's Spring's Belen, a staple of Rea Swan's program, as well as fine stallions such as Something Special, Squirrel's Fancy, Classic's Squirrel, and Squirrel's Legacy.
Yankee was the largest of the Tobe sons, standing a commanding 15.2. He was a beautiful silver bay. He is known for producing sizable and intelligent offspring. His offspring include Pedro, Yankee Clipper, Yankee Traveler, China Blue, Caramel Coffee, Red Gail, and C.J. Little Sue.
Kilburn's Chocolate Sundown, also known as the 'Ohio Horse' produced more offspring than any other Rocky, with a get of over 600 horses to his credit. He was known for his conformation, beauty and animated gait. His sons include the famous Johnson's Tobe, Dan's Dusty Action, and Helen's Sun, as well as Rea Swan's stallions Nuncio and Spanish Sundown, the father of almost all grullas in the registry, including our very own, very well proven SUNDOWN COWBOY!!!
