Interview with Larry & Noemi LeBlanc

Partial Transcript: Can we start by telling me a bit about yourself, your full name and birthplace?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc share their current involvement with horses. They then share their first memories with equines.

Keywords: Duson LA; Quarter Horses; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Do you consider yourselves a part of Appalachia?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. LeBlanc speaks about his first Mountain Horse. Mrs. LeBlanc compares the Rocky Mountain Horse to other breeds. She then speaks of how horse culture has changed for the better in the past nine years.

Keywords: "Empire Maker"; Appalachia; breed characteristics; gaited horses; horse breeding; horse care; horse culture; horse temperament; Rocky Mountain Horses; Tennessee Walking Horses; thoroughbred horses

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

Segment Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc speak about how they have made many friends through owning Mountain Horses. They speak of traveling around the world to see friends they have met through the Mountain Horse community.

Keywords: horse breeding; horse conformation; horse shows; horse training; international riding; Rocky Mountain Horses; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: Can you tell me about when you first heard about the Rocky Mountain Horse Association?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. LeBlanc is on the board of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association. He goes into detail about the structure of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association and what his position entails.

Keywords: horse certifications and registries; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Some people say that a Rocky Mountain Horse is just a color. What are your thoughts on that?

Segment Synopsis: Mrs. LeBlanc speaks about the difference between riding a gaited horse and a non-gaited one. She also speaks of how they breed for conformation and gait and the color is secondary. Mr. LeBlanc speaks about the varying colors Rocky Mountain Horses come in.

Keywords: breed characteristics; Buckskins; gaited horses; horse breeding; Palominos; Rocky Mountain Horses; Spotted Mountain Saddle Horses

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

Segment Synopsis: Mr. LeBlanc speaks about the even-tempered nature of the Rocky Mountain Horse. He discusses how the temperament is what they truly fell in love with in the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. Mrs. LeBlanc mentions that she has not seen many Mountain Horses with a bad temperament but when she has, it has been because of owner error.

Keywords: horse temperament; Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association; Mountain Pleasure Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horse Association

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

Segment Synopsis: Mr. LeBlanc speaks about how when he was growing up they were much harsher when training their horses, but now he realizes you need to build a relationship with your horses. He also talks about how he is a lot more patient with his horses currently. Mrs. LeBlanc speaks about how she treats horses with much more respect now to get them to do what she wants. She mentions that the basics she learned are the same, but she is constantly getting better at training.

Keywords: breed characteristics; horse breeding; horse training; Moutain Pleasure Horses; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Where do you see the future of the Rocky breed leading?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc speak of the need to better advertise Mountain Horses. They speak of the popularity of Rocky Mountain Horses in other countries. They also tell stories of the varying ways they are being used in other counties.

Keywords: gaited horses; horse temperament; horse training; horse versatility; Mountain Pleasure Horses; Rocky Mountain Horses; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: Is there any more information or stories that you would like to share for the record or any part of this conversation you would like to revisit?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. LeBlanc tells a story about the first Mountain Horse he rode. He speaks of his amazement at the speed the horse was going while gaiting. Mrs. LeBlanc recommends that anyone who wants a Mountain Horse should get some dressage lessons. They then tell stories of other Rocky Mountain Horses.

Keywords: Classic Farm; Dressage; horse temperament; horse training; Mountain Horses; Palominos; Quarter Horses; trail riding

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