Rea Swan Rocky Mountain Horse Collection, 1986-2016 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Neil Kasiak, Sarah Hill

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Collection Overview

Title: Rea Swan Rocky Mountain Horse Collection, 1986-2016

Predominant Dates:1986-2005

Extent: 6.15 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 09/13/2011. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Horse breeds, Rocky Mountain horse

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Rea Swan Rocky Mountain Horse Collection contains a variety of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and organizational papers and publications from the Rocky Mountain Horse Association, a non-profit group that Swan and her husband, David started in 1986.The collection is not the association's complete or official papers, rather they are the material culmination of the Swans' early personal and professional efforts to establish an official registry and keep a dwindling, and treasured, equine population from the brink of elimination.

The RMHA was created in the hopes of establishing the breed characteristics and registry for an Appalachian equine breed that was descended from a sire that appeared in Kentucky in the late 1800s. Sam Tuttle of Spout Springs Kentucky (Estill County) is credited with maintaining the desired characteristics while breeding his RMH stock during the 1960-70s. The Rocky Mountain Horse was established and recognized as a distinct Appalachian equine breed because of the efforts of the Swans, the RMHA, and other like minded horse enthusiasts who fell in love with the soft tempered and versatile breed of horse;Tuttle's efforts were not forgotten. The collection includes the association's by-laws and constitutions (both were adjusted as the association grew), organizational and some personal correspondence, the early RMHA minutes and committee reports, various publications from the RMHA and other related equine groups, as well as some financials materials from the group's early years.

Collection Historical Note

The RMHA is a non-profit association that was created by Rea and David Swan in the hopes of establishing the "Rocky Mountain Horse" as a certifiable equine breed. The name Rocky Mountain Horse is a bit of a misnomer since it actually refers to a type of horse that was historically preferred, bred, and maintained in the foothills of Appalachia and Kentucky. The modern Rocky Mountain Horse descends from a stallion named Old Tobe (or Tobe), which Sam Tuttle of Spout Springs Kentucky owned and bred in the mid-20th Century. As the oral tradition goes, Old Tobe was the offspring of a sire that Tuttle's uncle had received in trade from a family that was trying to make their way back to Virginia after they went bust "out west" in the 1890s. The versatile descendants of the foundation sire had a four beat gait and it could "pull plows in the small fields, work cattle, be ridden bareback by four children...[and] they even performed well hitched to the buggy [on] Sunday morning to go to church." Tuttle continued to breed his stock for these traits and luckily, for the sake of the breed, his efforts did not go unnoticed. In 1981, Rae Swan began to understand that her future dreams included the preservation of a breed of horse that was nearly crossbred out of existence and, for the most part, forgotten by those who lived outside of eastern Kentucky.

From 1981 to 1985 Swan began reaching out to the surrounding areas' breeders and owners to confirm breed characteristics and survey the remaining "pure" Rocky Mountain Horses. After roughly 100,000 miles of car travel in Kentucky and Ohio, Swan had discovered that the breed was definitely on the brink of elimination. She was shocked and concerned by the fact that only 60 or so "pure" and less than 100 "mostly" Rocky Mountain Horses were identified. In May 1986, the Swans and approximately 37 other people (who accounted for 66 horses) organized the first Rocky Mountain Horse Association meeting. Their first task was to establish the breed characteristics, which include a size of 14.2-16 hands, an even temperament, a smooth four beat gait, and the preferred, but not exclusive, chocolate body and flaxen mane and tail. Their next, and perhaps most important, task was to create a registry that would ensure the breed would live on beyond the lives of the foundation stock that Swan had identified. As Swan and others began to stabilize and grow the breed's populations it became apparent that the Rocky Mountain Horse was "not a "new" breed but rather the continuation of an old one." By 1992, the RMHA registry grew exponentially from its original 45 registered horses to an astonishing 1,300. After nearly 10 years of painstaking effort Swan accurately concluded that "this horse, so close to being lost at one time is now on a steady and healthy road to successful growth and preservation." (2011-008-b.5-f.9)

The RSRMHC traces the early years of the organization, and to a lesser extent, the early 2000s, when the association underwent a variety of changes in size and reach. Overall, the collection can be understood best as the life's work of the Swans. The RMHA overcame many internal and external challenges during its early years; however, due to the Swans' diligence and the resulting association's reach and popularity, a breed of Appalachian horse that was once considered to be on the brink of collapse is now preserved and popular in not only the U.S. but also the international equine community.

Subject/Index Terms

Horse breeds
Rocky Mountain horse

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Accruals: 2 cubic feet were added October 18, 2019.

Acquisition Source: Rea Swan

Acquisition Method: gift

Finding Aid Revision History:

New materials were accreted in 2019 and finding aid was updated January 2020.

Audio/visual materials were accreted in 2019 and finding aid was updated May 2023.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Administrative],
[Series 2: Artwork],
[Series 3: Certifications],
[Series 4: Correspondence],
[Series 5: Financials],
[Series 6: Forms],
[Series 7: Genetics],
[Series 8: International],
[Series 9: Legal Issues],
[Series 10: Lists],
[Series 11: RMHA Minutes],
[Series 12: Miscellaneous Notes],
[Series 13: Newsletters],
[Series 14: Organizational],
[Series 15: Photos],
[Series 16: Publications],
[Series 17: Research],
[Series 18: Shows],
[Series 19: Trails],
[Series 20: Oversized Materials],
[Series 21: Audio/Visual Materials],
[All]

Series 21: Audio/Visual Materials

Box 12

UnitID: 31234013925662

Item 1: RMHA Board Meeting, 5/12/2003: Tape 3 only.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 2: RMHA Board Meeting, 2/16/2005: By conference call.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 3: RMHA Board Meeting, 3/12/2005: 3 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 4: RMHA Board Meeting, 4/12/2005: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 5: RMHA Board Meeting, 5/14/2005: 5 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 6: RMHA Board Meeting, 7/9/2005: 4 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 7: RMHA Board Meeting, 11/12/2005: 4 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 8: RMHA Board Meeting, 3/11/2006: 5 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 9: RMHA Board Meeting, 5/12/2006: 3 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 10: RMHA Board Meeting, 7/15/2006: 4 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 11: RMHA Board Meeting, 8/19/2006: 2 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 12: RMHA Board Meeting, 4/6/2012: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 13: RMHA Board Meeting, 8/18/2012: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 14: RMHA Board Meeting, 10/13/2012: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 15: RMHA Board Meeting, 2/23/2013: 2 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 16: RMHA: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 17: RMHA Membership Meeting: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 18: Rules Committee ? Meeting: Physical Description: audio cassette
Item 19: No Title: 3 tapes.; Physical Description: audio cassette

Box 13

UnitID: 31234013925670

Item 1: No Title: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 2: Kentucky Horse Park Show: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 3: Perdu's Candy: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 4: Drill Team Equitania - Chili Danzor: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 5: Horse Park Horse Show: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 6: RMHA International Show - Trail Class, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 7: Vacatator L - Hope Foxs Roxy, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 8: Sam Tuttle Award, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 9: Charlie, 1999: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 10: Silver's Bell, 1999: Greencrest Arron Kieths gelding.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 11: Silvers Bell - Mocha Munch, 1999: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 12: Browns Mares and Foals, 2000: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 13: Good Wendy Tape, 2000: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 14: Snow Trail Ride Day 1, 2000: Rea, Ensy, Laura Costume Class.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 15: Kentucky Horse Park Trail and Show, 2000: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 16: Remington Colt Gaits, 2000: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 17: Fillies Sent to Rita Burger, 2000: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 18: Illegible: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 19: No Title: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 20: No Title: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 21: Show Alex Hall, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C

Box 14

UnitID: 31234013925688

Item 1: McGee (Remainder of Title Illegible): Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 2: Olds Foals, 2008: Wendy, Bigning, Parker.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 3: Hope Springs Farm Mares and Foals, 1995: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 4: Colt at Bobbie's, 2000: Kandi x Remington; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 5: David Ransey Slides and Diagrams: 3 horses, Leo Barnes.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 6: David Ramsey Slides: Tape 1.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 7: Horse Show: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 8: Hope Springs Farm, 1995: Rainey, Classie, King, 1995 weanlings.; Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 9: Mares, Colts, Foals, 1994: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 10: Horse Fair - John Lyons, 1993: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 11: Cat Napper: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 12: Frank Clemons Horses for Sale, 2005: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 13: Frank Clemons Horses for Sale: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 14: Horses, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 15: Show Nuncio Trail Class, 1997: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 16: Tussel & Classie Sales Video: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 17: International RMHA Show Trail ? Bench Class, 1999: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 18: Mares, Foals, 1996: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 19: Hope Springs Horses, 1996: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 20: Dark Mare and Foal Riding: Physical Description: S VHS C
Item 21: McGure Gelal. in Corn Field: Mandy Sue, Keith's mare, Leadie's Girl.; Physical Description: S VHS C

Box 15

UnitID: 31234013925696

Item 1: RMHA Show, Classes 1-7, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 2: RMHA Show, Classes 8-14, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 3: RMHA Show, Classes 14-16, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 4: RMHA Show, Classes 17-20, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 5: RMHA Show, Classes 20-25, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 6: RMHA Show, Classes 39-43, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 7: RMHA Show, Classes 66-72, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 8: RMHA Show, Classes 73-78, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 9: RMHA Show, Classes 84-89, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 10: RMHA Show, Classes 96-100, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 11: RMHA Show, ? Class, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 12: RMHA Show, End Thursday- Saturday, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 13: RMHA Show, Friday AM, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 14: RMHA Show, Driving Class, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 15: RMHA Show, Friday AM Laura, ? and Equitation, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 16: RMHA Show, Poll Backs & Trail Obstacles, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 17: RMHA Show, Championships, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 18: RMHA Show, 6-9 YO Stallions, Trail Obstacle, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 19: RMHA Show, Trail Obstacle, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 20: RMHA Show, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 21: RMHA Show & Spirit Bridle, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 22: RMHA Show, Saturday PM, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 23: RMHA Show, Thursday PM, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 24: RMHA Show, 2002: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 25: RMHA Show, Saturday Kids & Karts, 2004: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 26: RMHA Show, Frieda ?, Kilburn ?, 2004: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 27: RMHA Show, "Horse in Question" Brow's Horse, 2004: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 28: RMHA Show, Class 53, 2004: Physical Description: DVD
Item 29: RMHA Show, Tape 1, 2005: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 30: RMHA Show, Tuesday, Wednesday, 1/2 Thursday, 2005: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 31: RMHA Show End, 2005: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 32: RMHA Show, Tape 1, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 33: RMHA Show, Tape 2, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 34: RMHA Show, Tape 4, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 35: RMHA Show, Tape 6, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 36: RMHA Show, Tape 7, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 37: RMHA Show, Championships, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 38: RMHA Show, ? Tape, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 39: RMHA Show Excerpts, 2007: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 40: RMHA Show, Tape 2, 2008: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 41: Judged Trail Ride, 2008: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 42: RMHA Show, 2009: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 43: RMHA Show, 2009: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 44: RMHA Show, Tape 1, 2012: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 45: RMHA Show, Tape 2, 2012: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 46: RMHA Show, Tape 3, 2012: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 47: RMHA Show, Tape 4, 2012: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 48: RMHA Show, Tape 1, 2013: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 49: RMHA Show, Tape 2, 2013: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 50: RMHA Show, Tape 3, 2013: Physical Description: Mini DV

Box 16

UnitID: 31234013925704

Item 1: No Title: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 2: No Title: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 3: No Title: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 4: No Title: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 5: Donnatello, 1997: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 6: Gait Tape, 2007: 3 tapes.; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 7: Gait Tape Sampler Master, 2004: 3 horses for sale.; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 8: 2 Geldings: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 9: Gait Tape 3, 2007: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 10: Drifter, 10-Mar: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 11: Kendall On the Farm, 2000: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 12: Gait Tape 1, 2003: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 13: RMHA Christmas Party, 2000: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 14: First Edit, ? Speech: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 15: Ramsey Lecture, 2002: 4 tapes, 2 copies of tape 2.; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 16: Charley Tape, Christmas, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 17: Henson's Eclipse: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 18: J. Brown, Satn 30: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 19: Show Gaits, Clomo Shaq, Sun D Filly, Blue: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 20: Solo, 10-Aug: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 21: Belen 03 Filly, 97 Show Dig: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 22: True Gold: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 23: Black Mare: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 24: Lick N-A Promise Arrow, 2004: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 25: ASCD: 8 tapes.; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 26: TBI - PTSD: 2 tapes; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 27: Tape 2 Aides - Heartfull: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 28: Slido Last ASDC: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 29: ASSOC III PTSD: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 30: Update on ASD: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 31: Kodai or Kodi: 6 tapes, #1 is missing.; Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 32: Sarah Lesson, 2006: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 33: Audio Only - Joe B. Hall Interview, 2013: 1 Mini DV tape and 3 DVD of the same interview.; Physical Description: Mini DV, DVD
Item 34: Dad's Inovve of India: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 35: Granny ? Under Saddle, 2001: Physical Description: Mini DV
Item 36: No Title: Physical Description: Mini DV

Box 17

UnitID: 31234013925712

Item 1: Hope Springs Horses, 1994: 2 tapes.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 2: Hope Springs Farm, 1997: Physical Description: VHS
Item 3: The Rocky Mountain Horse: Physical Description: VHS
Item 4: The Rocky Mountain Horse: Physical Description: VHS
Item 5: Whiskey River, Cocoa, Desert Storm: Physical Description: VHS
Item 6: Sugar & Candy, 1996: Physical Description: VHS
Item 7: RMHA Promotional Tape, 1989: Physical Description: VHS
Item 8: Nuncio's Special Edition Eddy: Physical Description: VHS
Item 9: First RMHA Show, 1989: Kentucky Horse Park.; Physical Description: VHS

Box 18

UnitID: 31234013925720

Item 1: RMHA Show, 1994: 6 tapes total, 2 copies of each.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 2: Demo and Hope Spring Farm June, 1989-1997: Physical Description: VHS
Item 3: Florida Horse Festival Demo: Includes a note signed by Bobbie and Larry.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 4: Sam's Gait: Includes a note signed by Sandee.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 5: Smith Horses, 1993: Physical Description: VHS
Item 6: International RMHA Show, 1992: Physical Description: VHS
Item 7: RMHA Judging Video, 1999: Physical Description: VHS
Item 8: Illegible, 1997: Physical Description: VHS
Item 9: Hope Springs Farm: Physical Description: VHS
Item 10: All For The Horse with John Forsythe: Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 11: Misty's Baby, 1996: Physical Description: VHS
Item 12: Dusty and the Great Rocky Mountain Horse Ski Trip, 1995: Also includes Equine Affaire and Hoosier Horse Fair.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 13: Tequila Sunrise, Ventures Champion, Smith Dolly, Nuncio's Flaxen Mountain: Physical Description: VHS
Item 14: Grandview's Candy Man when Young: Physical Description: VHS
Item 15: The Rocky Mountain Horse: Physical Description: VHS
Item 16: No Title: Physical Description: VHS
Item 17: No Title: Physical Description: VHS
Item 18: David Ramsey Lecture, 1997: Camera 1 & 2 tapes.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 19: RMHA Show and Fillies, 1993-1994: Fillies are Shy Lady Venture and Chocolate Mystique.; Physical Description: VHS
Item 20: Hope Springs Horses, 1996: Physical Description: VHS
Item 21: RMHA Show, Class 53, 2004: Physical Description: VHS