~ History of the Foxtrotter ~ From the Ozark Mountains to Your Heart

. . . . The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse was developed in the rugged Ozarks hills over 150 years ago during the 19th Century by settlers who needed easy riding, durable mounts that could travel long distances at a sure-footed, ground consuming gait. . . . . Missouri achieved statehood in 1821 and the pioneers who poured across the Mississippi River and settled in the Ozarks came largely from Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Naturally, they brought along saddle horses popular to those areas. The breeding of this stock were mostly Morgans, Arabians, and Plantation horses from the south. It soon became apparent that horses able to perform the easy, broken gait called the Fox Trot were the most useful in the rocky, forest covered hills of the Ozarks and selective breeding for this gait began. Later, more Tennessee Walker, American Saddlebred, and Standard breeding were added to give the Foxtrotter a more pleasing appearance and disposition. . . . . Easy gaited stock imported to our nation's shores during the colonial era left their genetic imprint on the Fox Trotting Horses of the Ozarks, the American Saddle Horses of Kentucky, and the Walking Horses of Tennessee. Some 19th Century standouts such as the Canadian born stallion, Tom Hal, made sizeable contributions to the easy gaited horses of all three regions. 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 surefooted 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. . . . . Fox Trotters became the using horse of the Ozarks. The ability to travel long distances at a comfortable speed of five to eight miles an hour made the Foxtrotter a great favorite of the of cattlemen, country doctors, sheriffs, and tax assessors before improved roads and cars appeared on the scene. Today the breed is in demand as a pleasure horse, show horse, and for cross-country and endurance riding. It is often described as the common man's pleasure horse because of its gentle disposition. . . . . In 1948 a Breed Association was formed for this "horse of all talents," and in 1958 what is now known as the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, located at Ava, MO was reorganized and reincorporated. The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association is now an international association with affiliate charters throughout the United States as well as many countries throughout the world. . . . . Missouri ranks number two in the nation in cow-calf operations and Missouri Fox Trotting Horses are historically tied to the grazing cattle industry of the Ozarks. When automobiles made horses almost obsolete in the everyday lives of most Ozarkians, Missouri Fox Trotting Horses survived largely because the cattlemen of the region continued to use and breed them. Old Fox, one of the breed's most influential sires, was a chestnut stallion that spent his adult life trailing cattle in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas early in this century. Stamina, soundness, and gentle disposition were serious considerations in the breeding of Fox Trotting Horses by pioneer families in the Ozarks. . . . . Missouri Fox Trotters make excellent mounts for children and beginning riders because of their quiet dispositions and willingness to please. Their smooth gaits eliminate the "bouncing" that inexperienced riders suffer when riding hard. This gait is also wonderful for riders who have bad backs. The smooth fox trot is very easy on the hips and spine, allowing people who may have had to give up riding to continue on, though of course you should still consult with a doctor. . . . . Many famous families of the Fox Trotting Horse have been known throughout the Ozarks and even to this day, the names of Daimonds, Missouri Traveler E, Brimmers, Red Bucks, Copper Bottoms, Cheifs, Steel Dusts, Cold Decks, Zane Grey, and many others are recognized by horse breeders everywhere. . . . . Today, foxtrotters are becoming more popular and have even made a mark in movies. Films that have horses often use foxtrotters that resemble other breeds for actors to ride who are not skilled equestrians. Their smooth foxtrot resembles a normal trot enough that actors go from unskilled to looking like pros. . . . . While, Arabians have dominated the endurance sport for decades, Foxtrotters are now giving them a run for their money. Enabling their riders to trot for longer periods of time, Foxtrotters are wonderful in these long riding sports. Their great personality and willingness to learn make these horses a wonderful companion and an exceptional sport horse.

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