Interview with Jeff Lainhart

Partial Transcript: Can we please start off by you telling us your name, where you're from, just anything you want to add.

Segment Synopsis: Jeff talks about how he has been around horses ever since he was able to walk. Jeff speaks about how his dad wanted to maintain the bloodlines of Rocky Mountain Horses and then he continued with that once his dad passed away. Jeff then speaks about Rocky Mountain Horses.

Keywords: Rocky Mountain Horses; trail horses

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Partial Transcript: When did the Rocky Mountain Horse first come about, because you said it was a really early breed.

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about the Rocky Mountain Horse Association that started in 1986. Jeff also speaks about the standards and guidelines the horses were held to in the beginning and what has changed. Jeff then talks about how he wants to maintain the guidelines like how they were in the beginning.

Keywords: Rea Swan; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Do you have any memories that you want to share about the first time that you were around horses or anything like that?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about how the Rocky Mountain Horse changed his life. Jeff mentions that "it is amazing the things he has done with horses." Jeff then goes on to talk about how Kentucky has some of the best trail riding areas and how the horse world is a small world. Jeff also speaks about how horses bring people together because no matter where you go on trails, you will meet old friends. Jeff then talks about some of the trail rides he has gone on over the years. Jeff also speaks about how horses can be the most therapeutic thing ever and that he can go riding anywhere and know somebody.

Keywords: "Honey"; American Heart Association Beach Ride; Big South Fork National Forest; competitive trail riding; Daniel Boone National Forest; Rocky Mountain Horses; Smoky Mountains; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: You said that I could jump on like Honey for example, and no one would know. Does some of that have to do with the even-temperedness?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about how the even-tempered nature of his horse is the reason why an inexperienced rider could jump on her and ride without anyone knowing that they were new to riding. Jeff talks about how almost everyone has had a bad riding experience at some point, but with this breed it is not possible. Jeff then speaks about Rocky Mountain Horses having an overall good nature to them and are easy to ride.

Keywords: "Honey"; breed characteristics; horse temperament; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: So you would not agree with people that say that the Rocky Mountain Horse is just a color?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about how much he dislikes how people think that the color makes a Rocky Mountain Horse. Jeff states, "you do not ride color." Jeff speaks about how Rocky Mountain Horses come in different colors which is not limited to the typically thought of chocolate coat color. Jeff mentions that he thinks it's because the early breeders, like Sam Tuttle, were trying to breed for a black horse with a white mane and tail. However, the closest they were able to get was the chocolate color with a white mane and tail. It turned out to be such a pretty combination that people grew to love it and now tend to associate it with the Rocky Mountain Horse breed.

Keywords: breed characteristics; horse breeding; Rocky Mountain Horses; Sam Tuttle

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Partial Transcript: Can you remember some of the moments when you realized the importance of the mountain horse to your community, both historically and within your lifetime?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about how he wants a Kentucky bred, Kentucky raised, and Kentucky trained trail horse. He elaborates on that thought by mentioning that is what he made the backbone of his business about with the Rocky Mountain Horses. Jeff also talks about promoting the breed all over the world and how that is beneficial to the future of Rocky Mountain Horses. Jeff then speaks about the future of the Rocky Mountain Horse and how it depends on the bylaws and guidelines that were originally set in place by the Rocky Mountain Horse Association.

Keywords: horse breeding; horse certifications and registries; horse training; Kentucky; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses; Stanton, KY; trail horse

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Partial Transcript: When did you first hear about the Rocky Mountain Horse Association?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about hearing about the Rocky Mountain Horse Association in the beginning. Jeff mentions that he is a horse examiner for the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. Jeff speaks about what being an examiner of horses for the RMHA entails. Jeff also talks about trail riding with Rocky Mountain Horses and that the AHA beach ride is one of his favorite trail rides.

Keywords: horse temperament; RMHA Examiners; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: Have you ever had a difficult horse and did you learn the most from it if you did?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about his injuries and experiences he has had with difficult horses. Jeff mentions that none of the problematic horses he has worked with have ever been Rocky Mountain Horses. Jeff talks about how he trains his horses that are difficult or scare easy. Jeff speaks about horses being herding animals and when they are alone, they frighten easier than they do in a herd. Jeff then talks about caring for his Rocky Mountain Horses when the weather changes to colder weather and how low-maintenance they are.

Keywords: herd animals; horse temperament; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: What about other people and the mountain horse? Are there any stories about either the horse or past or present horsemen or horsewomen that you would like to share?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about a group of people he trail rides with from Hazard, KY that he met at a Manchester, KY horse show. Jeff also talks about the different sizes of horses and how he does not understand people who breed for great big horses. Jeff mentions that a good sized horse is one you can easily get on and off of. Jeff then speaks about how trail riding is an escape for him.

Keywords: Hazard, KY; horse breeding; horse shows; Rocky Mountain Horses; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: Do you think that you learn more the more that you deal with the horses?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about how everybody is still learning about horses. Jeff mentions that trainers will admit that they do not know everything there is to know because it is just not possible to know everything. Jeff also talks about the techniques he uses to train and care for his horses. Jeff mentions that it all has to do with repetition and that is what makes it much easier to train a horse.

Keywords: horse behavior; horse care; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Is there anything else that you would like to share that we didn’t discuss at all?

Segment Synopsis: Jeff speaks about Clinton Anderson and the Downunder Trail Ride he went on with him. Jeff mentions how the Downunder Trail Ride is the same one they go on in the movie, "The Man from Snowy River." Jeff also speaks about the Knott County Trail Ride he went on and how it promotes coal.

Keywords: Australia; Clinton Anderson; Downunder Horsemanship; Knott County Trail Ride; Knott County, KY; Rocky Mountain Horses; The Man from Snowy River; trail riding

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