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The Missouri Fox Trot gait is basically a
diagonal gait. The horse will perform this gait by walking in front
and trotting behind with reach in each stride He may disfigure or
overstep his track, provided he travels straight on all four legs
and does a true Fox Trot. The Fox Trotting Horse is not a high
stepping horse, but an extremely sure-footed one; and, because of
the sliding action of the rear feet, rather than the hard step of
other breeds, the rider experiences little jarring action and is
quite comfortable in the saddle for long periods a time. The head
and tail are slightly elevated, giving the animal a graceful
carriage; and the rhythmic beat of the hooves, along with the
nodding action of the head, give the animal an appearance of
relaxation and poise. The ideal characteristics of the Fox Trot
shall be that the animal will travel with animation, Fox Trot
rhythm, and style. The horse will travel in a collected manner. The
Fox Trot should carry with it rhythm. The head should nod, the ears
should indicate the step and the tail should be part of the rhythm.
The step should be springy, consistent and smooth. The up and down
motion should not be noticeable, but rather a smooth gliding gait
without swinging.
The Missouri Fox Trotting
Horse should stand 14 to 16 hands in height, be of good
conformation, and able to carry weight. The animal should stand well
on its feet, be erect, wide awake and alert. The neck should be
graceful, in proportion to length of body, and well-joined to body.
The Fox Trotting Horse should have a neat, clean,
intelligently-shaped head; pointed ears that are well-shaped; good,
large, bright eyes; and a tapered muzzle. The back should be
reasonably short and strong; the body deep and well-ribbed. The
flank should be full; and the chest deep and full. The shoulders
should be properly sloped and well-muscled. The legs should be
muscular and well-tapered. The foot should be well-made, strong and
in proper proportion to size a horse. The hair should be soft and
silky.
The Fox Trot will be
performed in stylish collected manner by walking in front and
trotting behind with reach in each stride (front and rear). The back
feet must exhibit a sliding action in order to keep beat of the
gait. The horse will carry its head slightly elevated having as much
rhythmic head motion as possible. This head motion should always be
in time with the movement of the feet. The ears should be relaxed.
The tail will be carried naturally elevated and should be in rhythm
to the Fox Trot beat. The natural rhythm of the horse starts at the
tip of the nose and goes back to the tip of the tail in one
continuous motion.
Reprinted from "Official Rules for
Judging and Exhibiting the Missouri Foxtrotting Horse"
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is
known best for the comfort if affords its rider. Loved as a trail
horse, 90 percent of registered Missouri Fox Trotters are owned by
people who use them for trail riding, competition and endurance
riding, and pleasure riding. Acclaimed as a show horse the Missouri
Fox Trotting horse is also recognized for its beauty and style in
the show ring.
Used by hunters and forest rangers
for it's endurance and surefootedness in rugged terrain, by ranchers
for it's versatility and intelligence, and on Hollywood movie sets
for its gentle nature the breed has quickly earned its reputation as
a horse for all situations.
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse has three naturally gaits: the long
and easy-going flat foot walk, the smooth and comfortable fox trot
characteristic of its name, and the "rocking horse" canter. No
special shoeing or training is required for these horses to perform
their gaits and their good disposition and trainability are among
their many desirable characteristics making them one of the most
versatile and loved of horse breeds within the equine registries.
Developed from horses in the Ozarks, the breed is characterized by
a gentle disposition and an easy, fluid 4-beat diagonal gait.
Bloodlines can be traced from early settlers coming into the
Missouri Ozarks from neighboring states of Kentucky, Illinois,
Tennessee, and Arkansas. Their horses were depended upon for their
surefootedness in this mountainous region and their ability to do
whatever was needed around the homestead, ranging from plowing,
hauling logs, and working cattle, while at the same time able to
double as a stylish buggy horse or riding horse for the family.
Whatever the need this using horse from the homestead which
eventually became known as the Missouri Fox Trotter proved capable
and adaptable.
By 1948 a Breed Association was
formed for this talented horse and in 1958 the Missouri Fox Trotter
Horse Breed Association, located at Ava, MO was reorganized and
reincorporated. Since then breeders have worked to develop this
multi-talented breed of horse into the much sought after pleasure
horse and show horse of today.
Surefooted in mountainous terrain,
gentle in disposition, and smooth of gait for the comfort of both
horse and rider, the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed motto today is
"Every rider's pleasure horse".
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