MOUNTAIN PLEASURE

The Mountain Pleasure horse, sometimes called the “Old Kentucky Saddler,” traces its roots to Appalachia. In these steep hills and valleys, the horses had to be easy keepers and sure-footed over miles of rough terrain. The Mountain Pleasure reflects the primitive Appalachian gaited horse type and are thought to have contributed to modern breeds developed in the region, including the American Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Mountain Pleasure Horse

Gaited horses have natural gaits other than (or in addition to) the walk, trot, and canter. The Mountain Pleasure horse has a 4-beat gait that varies little in its rhythmic footfall, whether at faster or slower speeds. This level movement conveys little “bounce” to the rider’s seat, making for a comfortable ride, even over long distances.

Mountain Pleasure horses are prized for their calm and willing disposition, smooth gait, and trainability. They enjoy people and are well-suited for a family pleasure horse, for trail riding, and for obstacle competitions, drill teams, and barrel racing. They are a true all-around horse.

Mountain Pleasure horses stand 14.2-16 hands in height at the withers, and they weigh 900-1100 pounds. Most of the solid colors known in horses appear in the Mountain Pleasure horse, but most characteristic is the strikingly golden palomino. White markings are found in many bloodlines.

The Mountain Pleasure Horse Association was formed in 1989 to conserve the valuable heritage, type, and versatility of these horses, with an emphasis on their kind disposition and comfortable natural gait. This was the first mountain horse breed association to require blood-typing (and now DNA testing) as proof of parentage for registration. While the Mountain Pleasure is closely related to the Rocky Mountain horse, each has a long and continuing history under separate associations and registries.

Did you know:

The Livestock Conservancy helps heritage breed farmers and ranchers successfully raise endangered livestock and poultry.  Tools ranging from microgrants for farm infrastructure improvements to conservation breeding plans for individual flocks and herds help fight extinction threats across America every day.