Interview with Rea Swan

Partial Transcript: Can you just start by telling me a bit about yourself?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about how she grew up on a farm in Madison County and started riding as soon as she was able to sit on a horse. She has lived in Fayette County since 1985 with her husband, David.

Keywords: Appalachia; horse shows; horse temperament; Rea Swan; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When and how did you realize that you were a part of Appalachia? Or do you feel that you are a part of Appalachia?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about how her connection to Appalachia is linked to her interactions with the people of Appalachia and Rocky Mountain Horses.

Keywords: Appalachia; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses; Sam Tuttle

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When did you start to understand what a Mountain or gaited horse was?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks of how she grew up with gaited horses.

Keywords: American Saddlebreds; breed characteristics; gaited horses; Rocky Mountain Horses; showing horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you remember some of the moments when you realized the importance of Mountain or Rocky Mountain Horses to your community, both historically and within your lifetime?

Segment Synopsis: Swan mentions seeing the price of Rocky Mountain Horses go up. She also speaks about how the Rocky Mountain Horse culture has changed over the years.

Keywords: Mt. Sterling KY; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Some say that horses bring people together. What are your thoughts on that?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about the comradery that used to be present in the Rocky Mountain Horse community.

Keywords: horse culture; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: We have heard that the even-tempered nature of Rocky Mountain Horses may be a bit misleading. What are your thoughts on that?

Segment Synopsis: Swan compares the temperament of the original horses in the Rocky Mountain Horse Association and some of the Rocky Mountain Horses that are being bred now.

Keywords: breed characteristics; gaited horse; horse breeding; horse temperament; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you discuss how the Rocky Mountain Horse Association came about and are there any stories you’d like to share about that process?

Segment Synopsis: Swan describes the process of traveling Kentucky while gathering information on Rocky Mountain Horses. She then discusses how that information was used to start the Rocky Mountain Horse Association.

Keywords: Kentucky Living Magazine; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Have the conformation standards changed throughout time?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about how the conformation has changed on show horses over time. She explains that the conformation of trail horses has not changed.

Keywords: horse conformation; Rocky Mountain Horses; show horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Some say that we learn the most from difficult horses. What are your thoughts on that?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks of a training method she learned in response to a difficult horse. She then draws a connection between difficult horses and fear.

Keywords: horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Do you think that your relationship or connection to horses has changed over the years? If so, how so?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about how her training methods have changed over time. She mentions the resistance free training. She speaks about the time that seven Choctaw and Cherokee gaited horses came to her training facility.

Keywords: Cherokee horses; Choctaw horses; gaited horses; horse training; resistance free training; Rocky Mountain Horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: What about other people and the Mountain or gaited horses? Are there any stories about, either the horse, or past or present horseman or horsewoman that you would like to share?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about a time when she was younger that her family went to the Tuttle farm to ride the horses. She also recalls stories of Sam Clemmons, Fonzie Graham, and J.B. Smith.

Keywords: "Doc"; "Tobe"; J.B. Smith; Rocky Mountain Horses; Sam Clemmons; Sam Tuttle

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Where do you see the future of the Rocky Mountain Horse leading? What are your thoughts on its growing international popularity and what about the Mountain Horse in general?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about how she wishes for a stable future as a trail horse since shows are slowing down for the breed.

Keywords: Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses; show horses; trail horses

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Is there any other stories or information you'd like to share for the record?

Segment Synopsis: Swan speaks about some memories she has trail riding with Rocky Mountain Horses.

Keywords: Jeffersonville KY; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses; trail riding

Subjects: