Strong, correctly angled hind legs allow impulsion in all gaits and also to navigate rugged or steep terrain.

They also performed a smooth ambling gait, sometimes referred to as a “single-footed trot", which made them favorite mounts for traveling between the sparsely settled colonies, especially in rugged terrain.

[4][5] The Narragansett Pacer had disappeared from the New England colonies by the early 1800s but the purebred strain of the breed slowly was lost to crossbreeding.

[6] Small populations continued to thrive in the Appalachian regions where they were treasured for their smooth gaits, hardiness and sweet dispositions.

While the rugged topography isolated Appalachia, it did not keep the mail from being delivered or the salesmen from making their rounds, relying on their “old-time mountain horses” for transportation.

While formal history is limited, individuals whose families have bred these horses for several generations can often provide names and dates as far back as the early 19th century.

These stallions were often referred to by the family name: “Coffey’s Major”, “Cable’s Rex”, “Little’s Silver”, “Jasper Jones Bucky”.

[10] Geneticist Ernest “Gus” Cothran, while working for the University of Kentucky developed a chart showing the progression of horse breeds as determined through blood-typing.

[citation needed] On September 29, 1994, Brereton C. Jones, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky issued a proclamation to recognize the importance of the Mountain Pleasure Horse.

In this proclamation, Jones acknowledged that breeders in Eastern Kentucky had developed a unique breed of horse known for its gentle disposition, smooth gait, work ethic and sure-footedness.

In March, 2009, the MPHA board of directors opened the books to allow appendix horses and “outstanding mountain stallions” to be registered under certain circumstances.