completely natural - the foals hit the ground pecking out an even 4 beat gait. Their gaits are never enhanced by any artificial means or special shoeing and they can only be shown in a regular keg shoe or barefoot. They have excellent endurance, are very surefooted and quite versatile. Mountain horses are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a safe, comfortable, good-minded horse that the whole family can enjoy. I invite you to browse my site at your leisure and to call or email me if you have any questions. You are always welcome to come by and meet the horses - I am always happy to show them to people interested in these wonderful horses!

 

 

 

I discovered mountain horses in 1999, partly out of necessity and partly out of looking for that equine partner that I could trail ride with total enjoyment. I had previously been riding performance bred reining/cutting Quarter Horses and was trying to make them into perfect trail mounts. I found most to be explosive on the trail when stressed or frightened and they also did not have the endurance that a good trail mount should have. My focus shifted to wanting a comfortable, good minded and safe trail mount. I began researching the gaited breeds and read some interesting articles about the smooth gaits and good temperaments of the mountain horse breeds. I took a trip to Oregon and purchased my first gaited mare, a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse. This wonderful chestnut mare had been a broodmare for the previous three years, leaving very little time for riding her. She stood quietly for saddling and mounting and was completely listening to me while her six week old foal was racing around us! I was so impressed with her that I couldn't wait to get to California. A huge thank you to Kathy Naylor/Oaks Ranch for selling me this fabulous mare! She remains my favorite personal ride!!

GOD's COUNTRY in Pt Reyes National seashore - Buddies forever riding at Pt Reyes July 2006

How many yearlings does it take to train a ferrier?

Web Site Designed & Maintained By Jim Hargrove Creative

Silverado Mountain Horses was established in 1999 in the Napa valley and is owned and operated by Pam Higgins. Napa is located one hour northeast of San Francisco and offers a wide choice of nearby state parks for trail riding. Many different types of terrain are available to riders - from the forest and beaches of Pt Reyes National Seashore, to the rolling foothills and the nearby mountains including the Sierra Nevada. Over one-half of trail has been completed called the Bay Area Ridge trail that will completely link together several hundred miles of trail around the San Francisco bay.

 

Silverado Mountain Horses goals are to breed for excellent temperament, conformation and gait - above all else!! The breeding business is intentionally kept small, producing a few select foals each year. The foals are all imprinted and handled frequently by many people and raised to be kind and respectful equine partners.

The Rocky Mountain, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses and the Mountain Pleasure horses come in all different colors, with the most striking and sought after color being the well known chocolate with flaxen or white mane and tails. Since I breed for more important things, the chocolate foal is a bonus!! As they say, you can t ride color !! These mountain horses have all different levels of motor; some being very forward with tremendous ground covering stride and some being more relaxed and quiet and suitable to all levels of rider. Their gait is