A truly American breed, the Missouri Fox Trotter originated from crossbreeding various popular breeds of horses. What resulted is a unique horse whose “fox trot” gait provides a smooth and comfortable ride.

History

The Missouri Fox Trotter originated in – you got it – Missouri. The breed was the result of the crossing of many different breeds, including the Thoroughbred, Morgan, Arabian, Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, and the Standardbred. Settlers from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia brought their finest horses of these breeds into Missouri during the early 1800s. Crossbreeding produced a gaited breed of horse which proved surefooted and useful as a riding horse throughout the rough terrain of the Ozark Mountain Range.

Because the Missouri Fox Trotter’s “fox trot” gait was so comfortable to ride, it soon became a preferred mount over other breeds. Breeders then began to selectively breed Missouri Fox Trotters to refine and perfect their characteristics, establishing the foundation for the Missouri Fox Trotter as a breed.

The Missouri Fox Trotter continued to gain in popularity and population, and the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association was created in 1948. The Association served as a registry for all horses who met defining characteristics of the Missouri Fox Trotter, and who performed the fox trot gait. The Association continued to register these horses until 1982, at which point the registration books were closed, registering only the offspring of Missouri Fox Trotters that were already registered with the Association.

The popular breed was exported to Europe and Canada, and in 2002 the Missouri Fox Trotter was declared to be Missouri’s official state horse.

Breed Characteristics

The Missouri Fox Trotter typically stands between 14 and 16 hands high. On average, the horses weigh between 900 and 1,200 pounds. Their coat colors come in a wide range, including all solid coat colors as well as pinto. They are known for their beauty and striking appearance.

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Missouri Fox Trotter is its fox trot gait. The fox trot provides a rider with a smooth ride. During the gait the horse’s legs move in diagonal pairs, as they would at the trot, but the front foot of each pair touches down before the hind foot, so the moment of suspension that riders would typically post to lesson is eliminated from the gait entirely.

The Breed Today

Because of its smooth gaits and surefootedness, the Missouri Fox Trotter is very popular as a trail horse. The horses are excellent saddle horses, and also make great endurance and competition mounts. These beautiful horses are talented, strong, and have excellent endurance.

Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_black

Original Source: Missouri Fox Trotter