| Home | Forums | Store | Stallion Directory | Equine Services | Articles |
Missouri Fox Trotter
“A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the
rider who is wise remembers it is no more than a loan.” ~Pam Brown
The Missouri Fox Trotter horse breed’s motto is “Every rider’s pleasure horse.” Although it is not a high stepping horse, this beautiful gaited breed performs a comfortable gait with a sliding action of the rear feet rather than the hard step of other breeds. The rider can remain comfortable in the saddle for long periods of time, making the Fox Trotter one of the most desirable gaited trail horses.
Originating in the Ozark Mountain region of Missouri as a steady, strong working horse, the Fox Trotter became accustomed to rugged terrain and long work days. In the early 19th century, pioneers realized a horse with a natural four beat gait would be ideal for the rocky lands around Missouri. Farmers bred the Fox Trot by
combining the American Saddle Horse, Standardbred, and Tennessee Walker with the Morgan, Thoroughbred, and
Arabian. The distinct gait, called the “Fox Trot” appears to be a variation
of the walk in the front legs and the trot in the rear legs. It is a broken
tempo trot with little to no suspension time between the diagonal legs,
hence the offset transition in stride and the smooth gait. Considered to be
“America’s Greatest Trail Horse,” the Fox Trotter provides a comfortable,
smooth and ground covering gait perfect for travelling long distances.During the Fox Trot, the horse will move with the head and tail slightly elevated, giving the animal a graceful carriage and a nodding head, presenting the appearance of relaxation and poise. The ideal characteristic of the Fox Trot is that the horse should travel with animation; he must trot with rhythm and style, including a nodding head, a springy and consistent step, and a smooth gait with no swinging. The Fox Trot can reach speeds of up to 12 mph, with the “Speed Fox Trot” gaining speeds of 12 – 18 mph.
The Missouri Fox Trotter should stand 14 to 16 hands in height, be of good confirmation, and strong enough to carry substantial weight. The neck should be graceful and proportionate, well muscled and defined. The head should be neat and clean, with well shaped, pointed ears, large and bright eyes, and a tapered muzzle. It should give the horse an intelligent look. The back is usually short and strong, with the body being deep and ribbed. The chest is deep, full, and muscular and aligns gracefully to the neck. The shoulders should be properly sloped, and the legs muscular and tapered. The feet of the Fox Trotter are usually well made, strong and proportionate to the size of the horse.
In 1948, a breed association was formed to regulate the breeding of the Fox
Trotter, and in 1958 this association reorganized and reincorporated as the
“Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association.” In order to be recognized as
a Fox Trotter, a horse must have at least one parent who is a registered
Missouri Fox Trotting horse. Today, 90% of people who own a Fox Trotter use them for trail riding, endurance riding, and pleasure. As a show horse, it is recognized for its extreme beauty, distinct style, and remarkable gait. It is also used by hunters and forest rangers for its surefootedness and endurance, by ranchers for its versatility and intelligence and recently on Hollywood movie sets where it has earned a reputation as a gentle, diverse horse.
By Kelly Ann Denine
Photo Credit to Lee Pemberton of Staunton, VA
