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Missouri Fox Trotting Horse |
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Missouri Fox Trotting Horse |
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| Group | Warmblood |
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| Odd Facts | speed from 5 to 10 mph |
Pioneers who poured into Missouri in the 1820s, after it became a State, came largely from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. They brought along saddle horses popular in those areas. It became apparent that a horse able to perform the easy, broken gait call the Fox Trot were most useful in the rocky, forest covered hills of the Ozarks and selective breeding for the Fox Trot began.
The distinguished characteristics of the Missouri Fox Trotter is the Fox Trot. The horsxe walks with its front feet and trots with its hind feet. This extremely sure-footed gait gives the rider little jar since the hind feet slide into place. The Fox Trot is a rhythm gait and the horse can maintain it for long periods of time with little fatigue. The MFT also performs a rapid flat foot walk and a delightful canter.
Fox Trotters became the using horse of the Ozarks. Favorite mounts for cattlemen, country doctors, sherrifs, and tax assessors before improved roads and cars appeared on the scene.
The breed largely survivied because the cattlement of the region continued to use and breed them. 'Old Fox,' one of the breed's most influencial sires was a chestnut stallion that spent his adult life trailing cattle in southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas, early in this century.
Stamina, soundness, and gentle disposition are serious considerations of the breeding of Fox Trotter Horses by all. They make excellent mounts for children and beginner riders because of their quiet dispositions and willingness to please.
The Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association was founded in 1948 in Ava, Missouri by 15 men concerned with preserving this unique breed. Today there are more than 42,300 registered in the US and Canada. The Hall of Fame and breed headquarters are located in Ava, Missouri.
Published October 1999 in NorthWest Breyer Horse Club Newsletter. (ma)
Originating from Arkansas and Missouri, the Missouri Fox Trotter is a quiet but energetic riding horse with a characteristic gait. It is a horse of the mesomorphic type and it joins the Tennessee Walking Horse and the American Saddlebred as an American gaited breed. The Missouri Fox Trotter is a warmblood bred in the temperate environments of the United States, primarily for use under saddle. It is a reliable, gentle horse with an unusual shuffling gait galled the "fox trot" which provides a fast, comfortable means of travel. When the horse is moving in this gait, the horse is expected to move with style and animation, in perfect rhythm and with a degree of collection.
The breed was established in the Ozark Mountains about 1820 as a utility horse. The original Missouri Fox Trotter was suited to the country and the needs of the settlers. The pioneers who settled in the Ozark Hills brought with them their horses, which were mainly Arabs, Morgans and Southern Plantation Horses. The objective was to produce a fixed type of enduring, utility horse that would carry a rider comfortably and at a steady, mile-devouring speed over long distance and rough terrain. These horses, and later with the additions of other breeding stock, produced a breed which provided a fast and comfortable means of travel. There was a great demand for this type of horse and it was used by doctors, sheriffs, assessors and stock raisers. The breeding of the Missouri Fox Trotter began with the interbreeding of Morgans, Thoroughbreds, and horses of Spanish-Barb ancestry. Later the American Saddlebred was introduced, as well as the Tennessee Walker, to create a plain, compact horse. This horse was of an easy temperament and distinguished by a smooth, peculiarly broken gait. The gait, which could be maintained over long distances and rough ground, averaged about 5 miles per hour. Over short distances today, this horse's gait can produce speeds of 10 miles per hour.
The Morgan horse gave strength of leg and consolidated action to the Fox Trotter. As a base for the gait, the Spanish horse contributed to the hardiness and temperament. The Saddlebred added freedom and activity, and complemented the Fox Trotter's action. Breeding stallions had shown the ability to perform the ambling gait which became known as the fox trot. The stallions walked in front and trotted behind, traveling 5-8 miles per hour. Careful breeding produced this very comfortable riding horse. After the Saddlebred and Tennessee Walker infusions, a plain, compact horse of amiable disposition was produced that moved sure-footedly in a very smooth, peculiarly broken gait.
In 1948 the studbook for this breed was opened by fifteen men who were concerned about the preservation of the breed. The Missouri Fox Trotter is very popular today for trail riding because of the comfortable ride and its sure-footedness. Today it is also used as a show horse. The breed society promotes exhibiting of these horses. The Fox Trotter is judged as follows: 40% on the fox trot, 20% on the flat foot walk, 20% on the canter and 20% on the conformation. The walk is in strict four-beat time with distinct over-striking of the hind hooves. The canter is halfway between the fast, long rein lope of the cow pony and the high, slow gait of the Walkers and Saddlebreds. Without the high action of the Saddlebred and the Walker, and since the gaits have evolved naturally, artificial aids which accentuate such movement are prohibited by the breed society. More than 42,283 Fox Trotters are registered today throughout the U.S. and Canada. These modern horses are all-around pleasure and show horses, and is usually shown in western tack.
Bred in Missouri since the beginning of the nineteenth century, this horse does not have clearly defined, constant characteristics. The most salient feature is its distinctive four-beat gait, which is known as the "fox-trot." In this gait, the horse canters with its forelegs and walks or trots with its hind legs. A rhythmic movement of the head accompanies the spirited action of the forelegs and the trotting action of the hind legs, which often produces a clearly audible beat, created by the noise of the hooves along with the chattering of the teeth. The gait is described as sure-footed and sliding because there is very little movement in the back, with the hind hooves reaching well forward and touching down with a sliding movement. The sliding action minimizes the concusive effect with the rider being carried along, scarcely aware of the movement. This steady and enduring action enables the horse to travel long distances at an average of 5-10 miles per hour and makes the horse an ideal mount for cowboys.
Another feature of the Missouri Fox Trotter is the breed's docility. Often described as "the common man's pleasure horse," the Fox Trotter has a gentle disposition and is easy to train, handle and feed. The gentle disposition, as well as stamina and soundness were seriously considering during the breeding of these horses. Excellent for children and beginning riders, the Missouri Fox Trotter is willing to please, and the smooth gaits eliminate the bouncing during a ride. "Trail riders across the nation who participated in treks through mountain ranges are rapidly discovering what U.S. Forest Rangers have known for years: Missouri Fox Trotters have no equal when it comes to delivering an easy, sure-footed, willing rider on hazardous terrains" (Fox Trotter Promoters)
According to most of my sources (including the Breed Standard), the Missouri Fox Trotter stands at 14-16 hands high at the withers, but the Eyewitness Handbook states that it "stands between 16 and 17 hh." I believe that this was a misprint, because all the other sources agree on 14 to 16 hands high. One of my sources lists that its coat may be chestnut, bay, black, gray, piebald or skewbald. "Piebald" and "skewbald" are British names applied to paints and pintos which we are more familiar with. Typically one is black and white and the other is any color but black with white. These horses are primarily chestnut, but all colors are acceptable, including part colors and red roans.
The head is well-proportioned with a straight profile, and it is inclined to be plain, but neat and intelligent, without coarse fleshiness. It has pointed mobile ears, large eyes, and a tapering muzzle. A wide bridle path at the top of the neck is often "roached." The neck is well-formed and nicely proportioned. The adequate length of the neck contributes to a fairly low action. Its withers are pronounced and it has a strong, short, and straight back. The chest is broad, muscular and deep, with a powerful, nicely sloping, muscular shoulder. The body is wide, well muscled throughout, deep and relatively compact. The walking movement comes from the sloped, powerful shoulder, without exaggerated knee action. The croup is muscular and rounded and the flanks are full. Its tail is well set-on and inclined to be low-set. The Fox Trotter's hind legs and quarters are muscular and powerful. In comparison to the high showy Walkers and Saddlebreds, the Fox Trotter has a low outline, and its action is also much lower.
Its legs are sturdy and distinctly tapered, and it has a good natural stance. The joints are usually flat and large, even though there sometimes seems to be insufficient bone. The hind legs are heavily built and muscular, and when in action can be engaged well under the body. The hoof is well-formed and in proportion to the size of the horse. Noted for its excellent hooves, this breed is sure-footed.
Published February 1997 in NorthWest Breyer Horse Club Newsletter. (em)
For more information on the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse, write to:
Published February 1997, October 1999 in NorthWest Breyer Horse Club Newsletter. (em)
© 1997-2019 NW Breyer Horse Club
& Refiner of Gold Creations
Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 1/27/2019
