The following article has appeared in numerous publications and provides a brief yet comprehensive insight into the origin of the Rocky Mountain Horse. HillsDale Farm is making every effort to provide horses that meet the criteria needed to be a quality Rocky. As a rule, we breed or purchases horses with old line pedigree.
Horse reads like a folk legend.
Around the late 1890 s settlers returning from the west brought back to Virginia, and eventually Eastern Kentucky, a young stallion of distinctly Spanish lineage. This stallion was crossed with local mares. One of the offspring was Old Tobe, the remarkable foundation sire of what was later to become known as the Rocky Mountain Horse. Old Tobe was renowned for his gentleness, versatility and smooth sure-footed gaits. Owned by Sam Tuttle, of Sprout Springs, Kentucky, Old Tobe worked as a dude horse carrying sightseers over the scenic and rugged trails of Natural Bridge State Park.