The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse

The distinguished characteristic of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is the Fox Trot gait; the horse walks with the front feet and trots with the 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 Missouri Fox Trotter also performs a rapid flat foot walk and a delightful canter.

The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse was developed because early Ozark Mountain settlers needed a smooth, quick riding horse that was also sure footed enough to handle rocky, hazardous terrain. The laterally gaited horses - those who running walk, pace, stepping pace or rack were all very smooth to ride, but couldn't perform their gaits as well under rough riding conditions like the saddle horses that could perform a Fox Trot.

Thus, Ozark horsemen developed the ultimate surefooted smooth riding saddle horse from the laterally gaited breeds such as the American Saddle Horse, Standardbred, and Tennessee Walking Horse and crossed them with good hard trotting breeds such as the Morgan, Thoroughbred and Arabian horse breeds. These efforts resulted in an extremely comfortable, intelligent and beautiful horse that was hardy enough for the cattle rancher, yet stylish enough to go to town with pride!

The Missouri Fox Trotter travels with his head and tail slightly elevated giving the animal a graceful carriage. The rhythmic beat of their hooves, along with the nodding action of the head, give these horses an appearance of relaxation and poise. Old timers call the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse a people horse that was bred to be gentle, loving and willing to please.

Missouri Fox Trotting horses are extremely intelligent and have the heart and stamina to attempt any task asked of them. Their versatility and conformation allows them to drive a surrey, work cattle or travel miles and miles. Because of their stamina and smooth ground covering gaits, they have also become very popular with field trial competitors and those involved in the sport of long distance trail riding.

In 1948, The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association was formed to preserve this true all-American horse following the scramble to discard saddle horses for automobiles as the main means of transportation.

Increasing interest in Missouri Fox Trotters as show and pleasure horses brought about a reorganization of the breed association in 1958. Today there are approximately 58,000 registered Missouri Fox Trotters located in the United States, Canada, Austria and Germany.

The breed's national headquarters and Hall of Fame are located on a beautiful 67 acre show ground nestled in the hills just outside of Ava, Missouri. The breed association annually host a Three Year Old Futurity Show in June and the six day Celebration Show in the Fall. The Celebration, which crowns the Champions of the breed, has been an exciting annual event since 1959.

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Information from: 'Official Rules for Judging & Exhibiting the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse'