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Characteristics of the Fox Trotting Horse
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.
Conformation
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.
Performance of the Horse in Fox Trot
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.
The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse
"The Winning Combination"
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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