- Missouri Fox Trotter -

Several of the early settlers in the Ozark region were instrumental in developing the type that was to become the Missouri Fox Trotter and among these were the Alsups. The Alsups became famous for their horses, which were all related to the Thoroughbred racing stallion, Brimmer, and consequently became known as Brimmers.

Another influential stallion on the development of the breed was Old Skip, who was a Morgan/Thoroughbred cross, as well as two Saddlebred stallion, Chief and Cotham Dare, who also are credited with the early development of this breed.

It is likely that the initial breeding of the Missouri Fox Trotter was based largely on producing horses for racing, which was a popular pastime, until it was deemed irreligious. Attention was then focused on producing a horse suitable for traveling long distances and being comfortable to ride over the surrounding rough landscape.

One of the most distinguishing features of the Fox Trotter is its gaited fox trot, which allows it to travel with a particularly smooth, comfortable stride. They are horses with great endurance and stamina, resisting fatigue to a much greater degree than many other breeds. The fox trot is a gait in which the horse walks in the front and has a sliding trot action behind.  This creates little movement through the back, making them extremely comfortable to ride, and capable of traveling long distances at speed. Over a long distance, the Fox Trotter can maintain speeds of approximately 7 mph, while over shorter distances this will increase to approx. 10 mph. This gaited movement is accompanied by an up and down head nodding and a rhythmic tail bobbing. The Fox Trotter's other gaits are a four-beat walk, called the flat foot walk, n which the hind feet overtrack the front feet, and a very smooth canter. the paces of the Fox Trotter do not include the flashy, extravagant, high-stepping style of the Saddlebred or Tennessee Walker.

There are many shows for the Fox Trotter, but unlike other gaited breeds, the Fox Trotter is not allowed to have any artificial measures to accentuate its action, such as excessively weighted shoes or show signs of having had chains around their fetlocks.  They also have a natural tail set and are not allowed to be nicked. In the show ring, they are judged primarily on the quality of their fox trot stride, with other marks being awarded for the walk, canter, and conformation. Aside from the show ring, the Fox Trotter is popular throughout the States as a pleasure horse for trail riding and endurance riding, and is also an excellent cow horse, In face, when many breeds of horse suffered due to the advent of mechanization, the Fox Trotter probably survived due to the continued support and breeding by cattle mane and ranchers, who recognized the breed's importance.

One of the early influential sires on the breed was Old Fox, who spent most of his adult life working cows in Southern Missouri, at the beginning of the 20th century. The breed was officially recognized in 1948 with the formation of its studbook, which was closed in 1982, so that only horses with both parents already registered could be registered. This keeps the breed more true to its original characteristics.

The Fox Trotter has an excellent temperament, being quiet, amenable, intelligent, and energetic when required, and is frequently ridden by children and novices. In appearance, they are attractively put together, with good basic conformation. Generally they have a well-proportioned head with a straight profile and lovely eyes. They have a muscular neck set onto very powerful sloping shoulders. They should be deep chested, compact through the back, and have very muscular and powerful quarters and legs. Usually they are chestnut in color, although can be any color, and stand between 14.2 and 16.2 hh.

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