Unlike some gaited horses no training devices are used, the smooth gait is natural for the horses, instilled through generations of breeding.

The disposition and trainability of the Mountain Pleasure Horse may be the most appreciated characteristic for novice horse owners. They are a very intelligent horse that loves attention.

Veteran trainers of other breeds are amazed at how fast they learn. It is not uncommon to see 2 and 3 year olds effectively competing with older horses at area horse shows or on challenging trail rides.

Considered a rare breed there are around 3,000 Mountain Pleasure Horses registered from all across the country. According to the American Livestock Breed Conservancy the Mountain Pleasure Horse is listed on the conservation priority list under the category of being on watch.

The Mountain Pleasure Horse has been around for over 170 years. Horses were brought into isolated Eastern Kentucky communities by the first settlers in the late 1700s and 1800s. They bred their mares to the most gentle, most versitile and smoothest-riding stallions in their communities, until they achieved what they believed as the perfect horse.

Blood-typing research by the University of Kentucky has shown the Mountain Pleasure Horse to be the parent stock of all the American gaited horse breeds.

Officially recognized as a breed in 1989

the breed standard calls for the Mountain Pleasure Horse to have a distinctive gait

that's not only pretty to watch but also to hear. The horses always have one foot on

the ground and three in motion.