A Mountain Pleasure Horse is a type of horse that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
They are known for their smooth gaits and gentle disposition.
If you’re interested in learning more about these horses, or if you’re thinking of adding one to your herd, read on!
Mountain Pleasure Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Mountain Pleasure Horse:
| Height (size) | 14.2 – 16.0 hands high |
| Colors | Most solid colors occur, including gray and roan |
| Country of Origin | United States of America (Kentucky) |
| Common Uses | Trail riding, competitive trail, drill teams, obstacle events |
Mountain Pleasure Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Mountain Pleasure Horse is the oldest living kind of gaited horse in North America, but today there are less than 3000 individuals left.
In order to meet the need for hardy, sure-footed horses, breeders in the East mixed English and European horses with hardy Spanish horses, many of which were gaited.
The resultant breed, the Mountain Pleasure Horse, has remained mostly unchanged over the last century.
Many modern gaited horse breeds may trace their ancestry back to the original Mountain horse, which still sets the benchmark for temperament, trainability, dependability, and the smooth gait.
Based on the results of genetic research conducted at the University of Kentucky, they have been identified as the root stock of the North American gaited breeds.
The Mountain Pleasure resembles the old Appalachian gaited horse type and many believe that it influenced the development of breeds like the American Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walking Horse in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Mountain Pleasure horse is closely related to the Rocky Mountain horse, and many horses are registered in both breeds’ registries.
Some Mountain Pleasure Horse lineages may be traced back over 200 years.
The Mountain Pleasure Horse Association was established in 1989 with the goals of preserving the breed and increasing its popularity in North America.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Old Kentucky Saddler”
Temperament/Personality
Calm and intelligent
Physical Characteristics
The head is attractive with a kind eye, and the neck is arched.
The horse’s shoulders should be relaxed, preferably at a 45-degree angle, so that the horse can take long strides and reach forward.
Strong, properly aligned hind legs provide impulsion in all gaits as well as the ability to traverse difficult or sloping terrain.
Their proportions are symmetrical and they have a physical structure that is advantageous to the horse’s soundness and lifespan.
While some Mountain Pleasure horses have distinctly Spanish traits, others take on the appearance of bigger, more modern breeds.
They are a gaited breed, and the saddle-rack, a smooth 4-beat gait, replaces the trot.
Colors
Most solid colors occur, including gray and roan
Height (size)
14.2 – 16.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
850 – 950 lbs (385 – 430 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Trail riding, competitive trail, drill teams, obstacle events
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
They are gaited
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
United States of America (Kentucky)
Ancestors
Spanish colonial horses, different European horses