Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses must stand above 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) high to be registered.

[1] The breed has a flat facial profile, a mid-length, well-arched neck, a deep chest and well-sloped shoulders.

[2] To be registered, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses must demonstrate a "gentle temperament and willing disposition" to registry examiners.

They were used for long travel over rough terrain, and were developed to have gentle temperaments so that they could be handled by young members of the farm families.

Today, they continue to be used as riding horses, and are regarded as excellent trail mounts in rugged terrain.

In 2002, a subsidiary organization, the SMHA, was formed to register horses who had more white markings than were allowed by the KMSHA.

[6] The KMSHA and SMHA host a joint championship show each year at the Kentucky Horse Park.