The Gaits of the Missouri Fox Trotter

1. Canter (breeding criterion) The Canter is a three-beat gait, executed in a straight manner on either hand, smooth and flexible, with a long reach. Pumping, four-beat gallop or too much speed is not desirable.

2. Flat Foot Walk (breeding criterion) The flat foot walk is a flat four-beat lateral gait. Over stride is desirable.

3. Foxtrot (breeding criterion) The foxtrot, name-giving for the breed, is a diagonal four-beat gait, where the front foot hits the ground split-second before the opposite rear foot. The head shakes in unison with the rhythm of the gait. The tail perfectly balances the movements of the head.

4. Gallop The gallop is an extended four-beat gait as used for races but still smooth and with tender movements.

5. Running Walk The running walk shows the same pattern as the flat foot walk but at a higher speed and with more over stride.

6. Single Foot The single foot is an even four-beat gait with sometimes only a single foot on the ground (hence the name). This gait allows for rather high speed.

7. Walk Walk is a natural, flat four beat gait at a low speed. The horse is awake; the length of the step is in a good proportion to the body of the horse.

TIPS FOR NEWCOMER

1. You have to appraise your horsemanship skills: experienced, intermediate, or beginner?
2. You have to know what you want: a trail/leisure horse, an endurance horse, a horse for shows/tournaments, a horse for breeding or a combination of these.
3. You have to do an extensive research: contact approved breeders with approved offspring and adequate success in shows or the discipline in which you are interested.
4. No matter what kind of Fox Trotter you are looking for, it is important to ride very good or even excellent horses, before making any decision in order to get the unique feeling, that comes with riding a good Fox Trotter.
5. If you have a horse you are interested in, ask for it to be shown in a freestyle riding, at the Flat Foot Walk, Fox Trot and Lope. It is always an advantage to have a video, which allows you to examine the horse later in privacy of your home, before making a decision.
6. Before purchasing a Fox Trotter ,it should be Understood, that the registration papers from the MFTHBA will be provided as well as all information concerning veterinary care history, dental care history, saddle fit, and description of horseshoeing care including hoof angles. Naturally the seller should be willing to provide documentation of vaccination, worming and dental care.
7. Ask the breeder whether his brood mare and/or stallion have an EU-registration-certificate from the EMFTHA and whether his breeding horses have finalized a positive Breeding Suitability Test (ZTU). It is desirable ,to have at least one of the parents , registered in the EMFTHA Studbook , Class I, II or III, especially when considering a high quality and high priced Fox Trotter.
8. When you intend to import a Fox Trotter from the USA, ask for a confirmation that this horse was not shown as a 2-year at a show or tournament. Ask for a ZTU or a ZTU conformation pre-purchase appraisal.

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 Missouri 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 the size of the horse.

These qualities and virtues make the Missouri Fox Trotter unique as a Ranch-,Trail-,Pleasure-,Endurance-and Show-Horse.