Post by Michelle on Aug 2, 2008 17:55:40 GMT -5
Breed Profile – Missouri Fox Trotter
By Kate Carter
Physical Characteristics of the Fox Trotter
The Missouri Fox Trotter (MFT) ranges in height from 14 to 16 hh, with the average being around 14.2-15. They come in all colors, although sorrel, bay, and palomino tend to be predominant. The dilute gene is very present in the breed, with many palominos, perlinos, cremellos, and even the occasional double crème (two copies of the dilute gene). The pinto patterns are also fairly common.
Gaits of the Fox Trotter
The MFT is one of the three American gaited breeds, the other two being the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse, both of whom had influence on the breed. It possesses the unique diagonal gait (the only diagonal gait other than the trot) known as the fox trot, in which the front legs go in a walk, and the back legs perform an active trot. The fox trot is accompanied by a characteristic head and tail bobbing motion. The hind feet tend to slide into place and overstride the tracks of the front feet. Because of this slide, there's almost no concussion in the lower legs, and the back stays very straight, making the fox trot an incredibly smooth gait to ride. The fox trot will normally go at a rate of 5-8 mph, but can go up to 10 mph for a short distance. The fox trot is a broken gait, with a beat of 1-2--3-4. In addition, the Fox Trotter has an even four-beat walk that can go fairly fast, and a "rocking horse" canter that is extremely collected by nature. Most Fox Trotters will also pace, something that is discouraged. Certain individuals will also perform modified versions of the running walk and rack; the Fox Trotter tends to carry its feet lower than other breeds that do this.
History of the Missouri Fox Trotter
The MFT originated in the Ozark Hills of southwest Missouri in the 1850s, when people began to settle the area. The breed originated because of the settlers' desire to have a sturdy horse who could pull a plow and a wagon all week and race on the weekends. Eventually, the idea of racing the horses was discarded, but they were still looking for something sturdy but stylish. And because the Ozark terrain is notoriously hilly and rough, they needed a horse who would be surefooted and smooth. They bred their horses, a conglomeration of Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Morgans. Later on, they added American Saddlebreds, and a lot of Tennessee Walker blood. Even today, you can often find the names of Tennessee Walkers on the pedigrees of MFTs; Merry Go Boy and Midnight Sun are two influential TWH sires. The vast majority of MFTs also trace back to Missouri Traveler E. In fact, there are so many tracing back to Missouri Traveler, who died in the late 1970s, that the breed has a problem with inbreeding. This is doubly problematic because the breed studbook was closed in 1980. At some point in the future, the breed will probably have to be crossed back with TWHs.
Pictures
At only a day old, this colt can't quite keep up with his dam's foxtrot
These mares, Cardinal's Special G. (by The Cardinal) and Southern Cherokee Sunrise (by Southern Sunrise) are both by champion stallions well-known in the breed. Both are exhibiting the gaits that won them ribbons at these shows.
Cardinal's Special G. shows the breed conformation standard.
Written by Kate Carter – Starlight Stables
Sources:
"The Handbook of Horse Breeds" by Maria Costantino
Pictures from c-dhorses.com
By Kate Carter
Physical Characteristics of the Fox Trotter
The Missouri Fox Trotter (MFT) ranges in height from 14 to 16 hh, with the average being around 14.2-15. They come in all colors, although sorrel, bay, and palomino tend to be predominant. The dilute gene is very present in the breed, with many palominos, perlinos, cremellos, and even the occasional double crème (two copies of the dilute gene). The pinto patterns are also fairly common.
Gaits of the Fox Trotter
The MFT is one of the three American gaited breeds, the other two being the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse, both of whom had influence on the breed. It possesses the unique diagonal gait (the only diagonal gait other than the trot) known as the fox trot, in which the front legs go in a walk, and the back legs perform an active trot. The fox trot is accompanied by a characteristic head and tail bobbing motion. The hind feet tend to slide into place and overstride the tracks of the front feet. Because of this slide, there's almost no concussion in the lower legs, and the back stays very straight, making the fox trot an incredibly smooth gait to ride. The fox trot will normally go at a rate of 5-8 mph, but can go up to 10 mph for a short distance. The fox trot is a broken gait, with a beat of 1-2--3-4. In addition, the Fox Trotter has an even four-beat walk that can go fairly fast, and a "rocking horse" canter that is extremely collected by nature. Most Fox Trotters will also pace, something that is discouraged. Certain individuals will also perform modified versions of the running walk and rack; the Fox Trotter tends to carry its feet lower than other breeds that do this.
History of the Missouri Fox Trotter
The MFT originated in the Ozark Hills of southwest Missouri in the 1850s, when people began to settle the area. The breed originated because of the settlers' desire to have a sturdy horse who could pull a plow and a wagon all week and race on the weekends. Eventually, the idea of racing the horses was discarded, but they were still looking for something sturdy but stylish. And because the Ozark terrain is notoriously hilly and rough, they needed a horse who would be surefooted and smooth. They bred their horses, a conglomeration of Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Morgans. Later on, they added American Saddlebreds, and a lot of Tennessee Walker blood. Even today, you can often find the names of Tennessee Walkers on the pedigrees of MFTs; Merry Go Boy and Midnight Sun are two influential TWH sires. The vast majority of MFTs also trace back to Missouri Traveler E. In fact, there are so many tracing back to Missouri Traveler, who died in the late 1970s, that the breed has a problem with inbreeding. This is doubly problematic because the breed studbook was closed in 1980. At some point in the future, the breed will probably have to be crossed back with TWHs.
Pictures
At only a day old, this colt can't quite keep up with his dam's foxtrot
These mares, Cardinal's Special G. (by The Cardinal) and Southern Cherokee Sunrise (by Southern Sunrise) are both by champion stallions well-known in the breed. Both are exhibiting the gaits that won them ribbons at these shows.
Cardinal's Special G. shows the breed conformation standard.
Written by Kate Carter – Starlight Stables
Sources:
"The Handbook of Horse Breeds" by Maria Costantino
Pictures from c-dhorses.com
