Horses

the missouri fox trotter

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Gaits
the missouri fox trotter has

Three Natural Gaits

1
breed goal

Fox Trot

The Fox Trot is a broken trot. However, a broken trot is not necessarily a Fox Trot. The Fox Trot is a diagonal 4-beat gait. The Fox Trot is a stylish gait where the horse walks in an elegant manner with the front legs, and trots with the hind legs. The front hoof hits the ground a split-second before the diagonal rear hoof.  There is no fly time as seen in a conventional 2-beat diagonal trot. There is always one front hoof on the ground and there is always one rear hoof on the ground. Each front (or rear) hoof is not picked up until the other front (or rear) hoof is set down. With a correct Fox Trot the horse always has at least 2 or 3 hooves on the ground. The result is a comfortable smooth ride for the rider and an efficient low-fatigue gait for the horse.

This rhythmic motion travels through the whole body from nose to tail. The head should be slightly elevated and nods in unison with the rhythm of the rear feet. The front legs should not show any high knee action and each front hoof hits the ground a split-second before the diagonal rear hoof. The hind legs should perform a sliding movement, during which the hind hoof steps into or over the track of the front hoof. The tail is to be carried in a naturally elevated manner and should also move in rhythm with the gait. The gait should be flat, in correct rhythm and must be consistent over distance.

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2
breed goal

Flat Foot Walk

The Flat Foot Walk is an even 4-beat gait in lateral step sequence. The track of the hind hoof should over stride the track of the front hoof. When executed correctly, one can hear the steady equal four beat cadence of the hooves. The up and down motion of the head in the walk is stronger than during a Fox Trot. The gait should be flat and consistent over distance.

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3
breed goal

Canter / Lope

The Canter is a rhythmic 3-beat semi-collected gait. The definition “Canter” and “Lope” are inter-changeable. The Canter of the Fox Trotter should be rhythmic, and able to cover ground at moderate speed. It is similar to the lope of a Western Horse and should have a slightly rolling motion. The horse should appear relaxed and move freely on a light rein.

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4
performance class

Show Canter

The Show Canter is required during performance classes in the USA beginning with Open 4-year old horse Performance classes and Amateur 5-year old horse Performance classes. In Europe the Show Canter generally begins with 6-year old horse Performance classes. The Show Canter is a rhythmic three beat gait and shall be performed in a straight, collected manner with the head and tail slightly elevated. The horse shall travel with a forward rolling motion while on the correct lead. The 3-beat gait is performed with a rocking chair motion and starts with the outside rear foot, then to the inside rear-outside front combination, and then to the inside front foot. The head should be at its lowest point when the inside front foot is on the ground. The Show Canter is not a fast-moving gait, and the horse should appear relaxed and move freely. Too much elevation in front, failure to maintain forward motion, four beat canter and/or excessive speed and excessive pumping with the reins are not appropriate.

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History
Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet.
Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet.
horse history

History of the Missouri Fox Trotter

In 1821 the first settlers crossed the Mississippi River and settled in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. Most of them came from Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and Arkansas. They brought their riding horses with them. The settlers in the rough Ozarks needed horses that were easy to ride, could handle steep ascents well, and could cover long distances safely, fast and with good endurance. The Missouri Fox Trotter’s characteristic gait was favored in the difficult terrain. The settlers began to breed horses with a ” broken stride “, now known as the Foxtrot.

The Fox Trot gave its name to the breed and became characteristic of it. Fox Trotter horses have a natural tendency for the broken trot (a four-beat gait). The Missouri Fox Trotter is a flat-footed horse and therefore is very sure-footed and safe. Due to the flat and broken gait the rider feels hardly any movement and sits comfortably in the saddle even after long durations of time.

The bloodlines of the Missouri Fox Trotter go back to the early ranches, farms and the working horses of the early settlers. In this early time there were no associations, stud books or registrations. The Alsup family settled in the Ozarks before the civil war and brought with them a stallion called “Bremmer”. This stallion also produced horses that were very successful on the racetrack and made a lot of money for their owners.

Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet.
Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet.
Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet.

Other bloodlines of today’s Missouri Fox Trotter can be traced back to “Old Fox” who was born around 1921. “Old Fox” died 1936 from pneumonia.

In 1948 the Breeding Association for Missouri Fox Trotter was founded. The purpose was to preserve the Missouri Fox Trotters’ assets for the future development of the breed. All horses that applied to be included in the registration had to show the Fox Trot. In the early days the bloodlines of a large percentage of the registered horses could be traced back to the Saddlebreds. Later, especially when tournaments began in the 1960s and 1970s, more and more Tennessee Walking Horses (TWHs) were bred in. Today the modern Missouri Fox Trotter is more refined, more elegant and considerably faster in the Walk as well as in the Fox Trot. Its legendary surefootedness, endurance, calmness and its sociable character of “Old Fox” have been preserved.

dates

Reference Dates


1948

The "Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association" was founded

1958

the "Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association" was reorganized in Ava, Missouri into a joint stock company

1959

The first World Championship of the Missouri Fox Trotter was held in Ava Missouri

1960

The US Forest Rangers selected the Missouri Fox Trotter for its unbeatable advantages as an exquisite breed, to cover the vast Yellowstone Park and other US National Parks

1973

The new corporation was converted into a new association known as Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA)

1983

The registration of other breeds in the MFTHBA was closed. Since 1983 only horses where both parents are registered as a Missouri Fox Trotters are accepted.

2002

The Missouri Fox Trotter is declared the official "State Horse" by the State of Missouri

2003

For the first time 10 Missouri Fox Trotters from Miller-Ranch crossed the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim. So far, The Miller-Ranch horses are the only ones to have accomplished the crossing. The area is known as a domain for mules

europe history

History of the Missouri Fox Trotter in Europe


1992
1996
2004
2006
2016
2020

The first Missouri Fox Trotters were exported to Germany by the Miller-Ranch. The DMFTA e.V -German Missouri Fox Trotter Association was founded by 10 members in Berlin.

1st European Championship of the Missouri Fox Trotter took place. 54 horses had entered from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France took part. European Champion of Champions, became "Southern Dixie" from the Miller-Ranch.

The DMFTA e.V. was transformed into EMFTHA e.V. (European Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Association e.V.). Breeders and owners from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France and Spain became members in this association

The European Championship, which was held every two years, was replaced by 2 to 3 High Point tournaments, from which the European Champions in the individual classes and the Grand High Point European Champion were determined.

The EMFTHA is recognized by the EU as the Breeders Association for the Missouri Foxtrotter in Europe and is managing the Original Stud Book for the Breed.

The MFTHBA keeps the Original Studbook worldwide. The EMFTHA e.V. keeps the Filial Stud Book for Europe in on behalf of the MFTHBA.

Horses Videos
MILLER-RANCH VIDEOS

Trained Horses

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Here He Comes H Missouri Fox Trotter -Gelding 6 years old perfect for Trail Here He Comes H is an impressive Missouri Fox Trotter gelding born ...

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Velvet's Barolo M.R. Miller Ranch Trail Horse Missouri Foxtrotter Gelding Barolo is a very friendly horse. Very affectionate and lovable. Somehow he ...

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Fred Astaire M.R. Missouri Foxtrotter Miller-Ranch Trail Horse 2023 Fred Astaire M.R. is a very beautiful, well developed, strong horse. ...

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Missouri Foxtrotter Mare -Yankee´s American Honey V.S Perfect Trail Horse Yankee's American Honey V.S is now 6 years old. She came to ...

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Velvet´s Dark Temptation M.R. Missouri Fox Trotter Mare You can see the beauty queen "Velvet´s Dark Temptation M.R." ...

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All IN M.R. Missouri Fox Trotter Mare 6 years old „ALL IN M.R.“ an all-round Missouri Fox Trotter mare. Her show ...

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Prince Phillip M.R. - Missouri Foxtrotter Gelding - 4 years Another Missoruri Foxtrotter from Miller-Ranch. He is ready for the trail. This ...

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Leonard´s Cuba Libre M.R. Missouri Foxtrotter Gelding Leonard's Cuba Libre M.R. is a gelding from the top luxury ...

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Missouri Fox Trotter Mare "Velvet´s PinaColada M.R. Velvet´s Pina Colada a 4 year old Missouri Foxtrotter mare. Ready for ...

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Sheer Country Elegance SH Missouri Foxtrotter Mare trained by Miller-Ranch for the Trail and for Show 6 ...

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Image´s Travelin Dot, Dance On The Trail Missouri Foxtrotter mare 7 years old trained at Miller-Ranch for the trail. This ...

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Missouri Foxttrotter - Arizona Outlaw´s Kokopelli M.R. "Kokopelli" has finished the whole program: Basic Training, , the First Step, he ...

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Agains Gunsmoke, Foxtrot in the Desert Missouri Foxtrotter trained by Miller-Ranch for the trail. A nice gelding, watch ...

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Missouri Foxtrottter - Smokey Joe´s Class Act Nice Missourf Foxtrotter Gelding, 9 Years old. Perfect for trail riding, He is ...

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Aladin´s Elektra M.R. Missouri Foxtrotter Mare A very powerful Missouri Fox Trotting mare with character. She has everything ...

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Missouri Fox Trotter - Freddie Mack - Ready for Trail Missouri Fox Trotter Gelding 7 Years old trained at Miller-Ranch, Arizona for the ...

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Buckshot- Missouri Fox Trotter Gelding Missouri Fox Trotter Gelding "Winchester´s Buckshot", a half brother to Winchester´...

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"Legend Outlaw´s Leatherman M.R." - Missouri Fox Trotter - "Legend Outlaw´s Leatherman M.R." a Missouri Fox Trotter, born and ...

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Missouri Fox Trotter - Legend Outlaw´s BlackBerry M.R. "Legend Outlaw´s BlackBerry M.R.",a real black horse, he is ...

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Velvet´s Black Tattoo M.R. Missouri Fox Trotter Gelding 4 years old Velvet´s Black Tattoo M.R. is breed, raised and trained at ...

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Manitou M.R. Missouri Fox Trotter from Miller-Ranch 4 years old Missouri Fox Trotter, born, raised and trained by Miller-Ranch, Arizona. ...

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"Velvet´s Bambina M.R." Missouri Foxtrotter Mare A very nice Foxtrotter, bred, raised and trained at Miller-Ranch. Rider is ...

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Missouri Fox Trotter "Avatar M.R." 4 years old „Avatar M.R.“ a Missouri Foxtrotter, is 4 years old in this video. ...

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"Leonard´s Amazone M.R."Missouri Foxirotter Mare Missouri Fox Trotter mare 4 years old. Born, raised and trained at Miller-Ranch. ...

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