In the hills of Kentucky State, for about two centuries, natural and artificial selection produced a marvelous horse, known as the Kentucky Mountain Saddle. To be able to travel along the narrow and sinuous hilly trails, nature developed a lateral broken four beat gait, much easier for the horse than the regular trot.
The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is medium size, refined, beautiful and has an athletic overall conformation. A good temperament and a natural four beat gait are important qualities. The head is proportional in length and width, the jaw is well defined, straight profile and a broad flat forehead. The neck must have the top line longer than the underline, well flexed laterally and at the pool, built to the body, not too low. The top line must be well directed and muscled, medium to short in length, a round and strong croup. The forequarter, body and hindquarter must all be well proportioned. A natural four beat gait horse must have a square body diagram. The limbs must be sound and well aligned. The angles are the desirable ones for four beat gaited horses. The colors may be any, except for Appaloosa or spotted patterns. White markings should be limited to the face or below the knees or hocks.
Any horse that presents uniform body color, but has one or both parents that show spotted patterns cannot be registered in KMSHA, which is a mistake, since this horse will only produce spotted offspring if mated with a spotted horse.
The KMSHA – Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association was founded in l989. Registry is rigorous. Stallions and mares must be under saddle to be examined on conformation and gait after the age of four. A DNA test, as proof of identity, is done at the University of Kentucky. The registry books are closed for mares and stallions not having parents registered in KMSHA. However, the gelding books are opened.
According to age, there is the Class A registration for horses with a height of at least 14.2 hands and the Class B registration for horses with a height between 11 to 14.1 hands. There is no maximum height limit.
