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Welcome!

Rocky Mountain Gaited Horses have opened up a whole new world of enjoyment for me, owner of a working cattle ranch in the high foothills of Monument, Colorado.

Due to back injuries, several years ago I began searching for "the perfect horse" that would lessen the body pain I experienced each evening after a long day in the saddle.

I wanted a gentle, sweet dispositioned, smooth riding horse that would willingly carry me all day as I checked my cattle here on the Homeplace Ranch.
I needed something that was easy to get on and off, as I have to open many gates during a day’s ride.
I wanted something that was not spooky and would be sure-footed without faltering on mountain trails, rough terrain, and steep grades.
I wanted something that was capable of going long distances and would willingly give me a calm but rapid ride over difficult terrain.
I wanted something with a strong heart.
And, of course, I wanted something very beautiful, as every cowgirl likes to have her horse admired.

Well, after about two years of searching, riding, watching and learning, I did find "the perfect horse" – a breed of unbelievably perfect horse – the Rocky Mountain Gaited Horse and the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Pleasure Horse. After breaking my first two colts and riding them for a year, I became so impressed and so in love with this breed that I got really excited about starting a small herd so that other folks with needs and wants like mine could also enjoy this "find" for themselves. Thus began the Higby Homeplace’s Mountain Gaited Horses business, to blend with my cattle operation. This year Gypsy, a 3-year-old mare, handled fall round-up of the grass yearlings and pen sorting for the truck loads out of the corral like a pro instead of the youngster that she is. Indeed, the blend of cattle and horses became perfect.

The Rocky Mountain Horse and Kentucky Mountain Horse originate from Kentucky and it was from this state that I bought my first foundation mares. These horses are incredible! The breed is best known for gentleness. They are a medium sized horse, ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands. Their calm temperament and their unique, four-beat gait just eats up the ground with a minimum of effort for both the horse and rider, so that great distances can be covered with little tiring and incredible endurance. This wonderfully smooth gait is naturally occurring. Little foals gait right along with their dams as they frisk around the pastures. No built up shoes, no chains, no soring, just a natural, smooth, ambling four beats to enjoy seeing and riding. Aaaahhhh, pleasure in its fullest sense!

And I got so enthusiastic about these horses’ ability to easily and smoothly cover rough ground with incredible endurance, that this summer I began riding my 3- and 4-year-olds on trails in the Colorado Wilderness areas. Moonshine, my palomino gelding, and I rode trails in the Flat Tops, and the Snowmass / Maroon Bells Wildernesses. Gypsy, my dark chocolate, white mane & tail mare, and I explored trails along the rivers in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Capital Creek Wilderness and the Lost Creek area. Everyone, without exception, that I met on the trails commented on these horses’ beauty. Other horseback riders, in particular, noticed their beauty and the big smile of unpained happiness on my face. They were eager to know more about the breed. Most of the riders we met were riding trotting-horse types just as I had been three years ago. When I demonstrated my horse’s natural fast gait and the lack of ANY bounce to my upper body, they became as excited as I am about this great breed.

Moonshine and Gypsy came back to the Homeplace as great emissaries of their breed. The bonding we three did in our mountain haunts and on our trail rides give me such joy in my four-legged companions and provide me with tales for the fireside this winter.

I welcome everyone’s interest and questions. Please enjoy the pictures that I have included on this web site and let me know if I can help YOU find the horse of your dreams.

– Sally Beck –