The fox trot gait is a diagonal four-beat footfall pattern that is often described as looking somewhat like the horse is walking with its front feet and trotting with the rear feet. The gait involves reach rather than high stepping action. It is ground covering, much more comfortable than a square trot, and more surefooted than the running walk. With two and then three feet on the ground at all times, the fox trot is a gait that can be ridden over rough ground in safety. Because of the sliding action of the rear feet rather than the hard step of a regular trot, the gait gives very little jarring action to the rider and is comfortable to ride for long periods of time with no posting or standing in the stirrups. Listening to the hoof beats, there is a brief pause between the second and third stride, which has given rise to the chant, "Chunka meat, and two potatoes.

The ideal characteristics of the fox trot are that the horse travels with animation, rhythm, and style in a slightly collected manner. The head should nod with the rhythm, the ears should indicate the step, and the tail should be part of the rhythm. The step should be springy, consistent, and smooth. The up and down motion should not be noticeable but rather a smooth, gliding gait without swinging.

In addition to the fox trot, the horses do a smooth ground-covering flat foot walk and a nice canter. Some have a multitude of other gaits built in that they might also do, such as running walk, rack, or a stepping pace, all comfortable gaits.

The breed developed in the Ozark Mountain regions of Missouri and Arkansas when settlers migrating to the area brought their best saddle stock with them. A smooth riding horse was greatly valued by folks who had to do a lot of riding. The comfortable, surefooted fox trot was a gait well suited to the rocky, rough terrain. The horses had the ability to do whatever needed to be done around the homesteads, such as plowing, hauling logs, working cattle, and at the same time were able to double as a stylish buggy horse or a comfortable riding horse for the family. The registry for fox trotters began in 1948 and was open to any horse who could demonstrate the fox trot gait. In 1983, the registry closed and all horses accepted into the registry from that point on had to have both parents permanently registered in the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.

Fox trotters have easily earned their reputation for being a breed for all situations in today's world too. They are used by hunters to ride and pack into wilderness areas; used by forest rangers and competitive distance riders for their endurance, reliability, and surefootedness in rugged terrain; used by ranchers for their versatility and intelligence in working cattle and helping with other ranch jobs; used on Hollywood movie sets for their gentle nature and smooth gait; and they are seen a lot in the show ring strutting their stuff and showing their versatility. Anything you can think of to do with a horse can probably be done in comfort with a Missouri Fox Trotter!

Approximately 90% of the registered fox trotters are owned by people who use them for pleasure trail riding, competitive or endurance riding, or as working horse on ranches, packing hunters, or in the forestry service. They also have a place in the show ring where they are recognized for their beauty and style. It is not unusual to see the horses doing double duty and being enjoyed in more than one discipline. If you are looking for a sane, sensible, pretty, easy-riding breed, please consider the Missouri Fox Trotter.


Credits:
Article written and provided by: Bonnie Martin of Gemara Fox Trotters -Barnesville, GA -visit Gemara Fox Trotters.

Photographs provided by: Bonnie Martin of Gemara Fox Trotters, Tumble Creek Ranch, Ocean Lake Fox Trotter, Zorro Farm, and Sharp's Mountain Missouri