Rocky Mountain? Anyone know these horses?

Kirstineridesagain

Kirstineridesagain

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All horses are individuals of course, but does anyone have any experience with the Rocky Mountain Horse? After my disappointment with the loan mare (who was an Icelandic, my favourite breed), I've been offered the loan of a Rocky Mountain mare until spring.

From what I've read they sound like they have amazing temperaments. But part of wanting an Icelandic is the Icelandic horse community, which I would lose with a RMH.

On the other hand, hardly any Icelandics come up for share or loan. And I could look again once the mare travels back in spring (alternatively, end up heartbroken when she leaves).

But she sounds delightful and would be something my daughter could ride, too.
 
Yes, I've gathered as much - not sure much happening here in Scotland, but I know they have a big thing in Exeter.

I'd love to do more fun rides etc, but if I get the horse say next month, and it leaves in spring (April/May), I'll miss most of the stuff happening.

But if we get on, there could be a possibility of getting another one on loan after the summer.

The ideal situation would be to buy an Icelandic. Sadly husband says no to buying.
 
Rocky Mountain horses can be gaited like Icelandic horses too, I think. One of the horses on my fantasy horse shopping list is a silver dapple Rocky Mountain mare (and there’s an Icelandic on my list too!). I’d be snatching their hand off, assuming I got on with the individual horse when I rode it.
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
Yes, I've gathered as much - not sure much happening here in Scotland, but I know they have a big thing in Exeter.

I'd love to do more fun rides etc, but if I get the horse say next month, and it leaves in spring (April/May), I'll miss most of the stuff happening.

But if we get on, there could be a possibility of getting another one on loan after the summer.

The ideal situation would be to buy an Icelandic. Sadly husband says no to buying.
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Maybe sell the husband 🤣🤣
 
2ndtimearound said:
Rocky Mountain horses can be gaited like Icelandic horses too, I think. One of the horses on my fantasy horse shopping list is a silver dapple Rocky Mountain mare (and there’s an Icelandic on my list too!). I’d be snatching their hand off, assuming I got on with the individual horse when I rode it.
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This one is black, but apparently such a dope on a rope, although she's only five. Unfortunately it would only be for a few months, but if I love RMHs I could lease or loan another one.
 
Gloi said:
Go for it 🙂. The Icelandic horse community won't shun you.
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I will/would - but the person I'm dealing with isn't sure I have the right setup. The livery I'm at doesn't have big shelters, for example. These are very expensive horses so she's rightly very precious about where they go. I'm hoping she will find a suitable one for me, but looking a bit harder than we first thought.

As for the Icelandic community, I'll be an Icey lover forever and one day I hope I'll own one, I have friends looking for loan ones available but it's not easy to find them.
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
I will/would - but the person I'm dealing with isn't sure I have the right setup. The livery I'm at doesn't have big shelters, for example. These are very expensive horses so she's rightly very precious about where they go. I'm hoping she will find a suitable one for me, but looking a bit harder than we first thought.
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That's a real shame. I hope it works out for you.
 
2ndtimearound said:
That's a real shame. I hope it works out for you.
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Thank you.

Right now it seems hopeless. I've explored any avenue I can think of. I can still ride the old Icelandic, but he doesn't seem happy to be ridden most of the time so we keep it short and infrequent. He's not fond of getting groomed either, so it feels a bit like a struggle.

I know I need to buy, but my husband says a firm no. We have too many outgoings and not enough income. I'm 45 and the chance of me ever buying my own seems slim. I'm at the mercy of a generous owner who lets me ride, but I wish I was in charge and had a mount that would be happy in ridden work. My dream is to take part in the odd show, beach ride and fun ride, or even just hack out for longer.
 
shortstuff99 said:
Does the horse for loan need to be a foreign breed? You would easily be able to loam for your requirements from a broader range of breeds.
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This.

You seem to be getting hung up on having a very rare breed. Could you be more open and see what is available in your local area that suits your circumstances and take it from there. I am sure you could find something both you and your daughter could ride, take on fun rides and maybe a bit more long term.
 
There were some Rocky Mountain horses at Your Horse Live a few years ago on the breed stands.

A bit like Morgans I think, although with a smaller population. Maybe less "show" orientated than some of the Morgan pedigrees and more like the family/farming type.
 
Gloi said:
There aren't too many gaited breeds in the uk
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No, I think the Saddlebred Association has ceased to exist, although there are still some individuals around and some being bred. Some Morgans are natural or can be taught gaited. I don't know about the Spanish breeds.
 
I work with Rocky Mountain Horses, they're sweeties as a rule. Bred for years for temperament, comfort and surefootedness. Not necessarily gonna win you any races but they'll get you from A-B without too much drama. Pretty uncommon here in the UK, but a good alternative to an icelandic if you want a nice comfy gait. There is a smaller, but quite friendly community around them here in the UK.
Only other major gaited option is standardbreds really but it can be slight potluck whether they can be persuaded to do a 4-beat gait apparently.

If you just want a nice small sturdy horse, can always go New Forest, they're cracking. I've got 1 pure and 2 partbreds, they're often a bit more feral than the rockies are though!
 
BigRedDog said:
This.

You seem to be getting hung up on having a very rare breed. Could you be more open and see what is available in your local area that suits your circumstances and take it from there. I am sure you could find something both you and your daughter could ride, take on fun rides and maybe a bit more long term.
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I know, it must sound a bit odd. But it's first and foremost an Icelandic I'm after. I'm a member of the Icelandic society and went to their big event up here. I have lots of friends/acquaintances who own the breed. Unfortunately they are quite rare in this country. I'm riding an Icelandic at the moment.

If I got another breed I'd lose my connection with all this. I also just love the special gaits, how good they are for hacking, their size and personality.

But I may have to be patient.
 
FitzyFitz said:
I work with Rocky Mountain Horses, they're sweeties as a rule. Bred for years for temperament, comfort and surefootedness. Not necessarily gonna win you any races but they'll get you from A-B without too much drama. Pretty uncommon here in the UK, but a good alternative to an icelandic if you want a nice comfy gait. There is a smaller, but quite friendly community around them here in the UK.
Only other major gaited option is standardbreds really but it can be slight potluck whether they can be persuaded to do a 4-beat gait apparently.

If you just want a nice small sturdy horse, can always go New Forest, they're cracking. I've got 1 pure and 2 partbreds, they're often a bit more feral than the rockies are though!
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That's interesting, I didn't know there were many Rocky Mountain horses. Where abouts are you?
 
There is the Cornmill Stud that is on Facebook, they breed Rocky Mountain horses, someone here in Wales breaks some in for her I think.
Edited to add they do look lovely, they would be on my list of I was looking to buy!
 
Gloi said:
Keep looking and an Icy might turn up at so.e point....or persuade hubby you need to buy.
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Yes, I won't give up yet! But as my husband says, we spend more than we earn by quite a bit. So until our other costs reduce, we can't justify spending £7-10k on a horse, plus livery etc. He's stretched to say ok to livery....
 
Steerpike said:
There is the Cornmill Stud that is on Facebook, they breed Rocky Mountain horses, someone here in Wales breaks some in for her I think.
Edited to add they do look lovely, they would be on my list of I was looking to buy!
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Yup, i'm the person in Wales who starts them off, I get some very funny looks at the local shows when I take the youngsters for experience!
 
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