In 1986 , the Rocky Mountain Horse Association was created to increase population numbers and promote the breed ; there was only 26 horses in the first batch of registrations . Since then , the association have , over the life of the registry , registered over 25000 horses as of 2015 , and the breed have spread to 47 states and 11 countries . In order to be accepted by the registry , a foal 's parentage must be verified via DNA testing . Horses must also , after reaching 23 months of age , be inspected to ensure that they meet the physical characteristic and gait requirements of the registry . The Rocky Mountain Horse is listed at " Watch " status by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy , meaning that the estimated global population of the breed is fewer than 15 @,@ 000 , with fewer than 800 registrations annually in the US .