|
|
Missouri Foxtrotter "Ride the Glide" The foxtrotting horse's most unique characteristic is that the horse was selectively bred to consistently perform the "foxtrot". The foxtrot is a four-beat diagonal gait which, to the viewing eye, appears as if the horse is walking in front while trotting behind. This foot fall arrangement provides the rider with a smooth, surefooted, ground covering gait. The Foxtrotter is a true American Breed. Even before Missouri became a state in 1821, local Ozark Mountain farmers/breeders quickly learned from the stock they brought with them from the east (TN,KY,VA), the horse that performed the foxtrot provided the greatest "user ability" for the rocky ,hilly, forested terrain. The early settlers brought with them a combination of Saddle horses (later to be divided into the TN Walking horse and Saddlebred horse,) Standardbred, Throughbred, Morgan and Arabian. Many of these breeds trace their lineage back to the Narragansett Pacer; a breed that no longer exist but contributed volumes to our American gaited breeds. The smooth gait that the foxtrotter exhibits is not the only treasured quality of this breed. It's calm, gentle, willing nature makes it a Multi-functional family horse and lends itself to be utilized for most tasks on the farm, including plowing,driving, riding, and even showing a great deal of "cow sense". The foxtrotter is a valued mount on many working cattle operations. As time moved forward the foxtrotter soon was endeared to the US Forestry Service--valued for it's surefootedness, endurance and smooth gait. The US Postal Service also utilized the foxtrotter extensively. Today you shall find the foxtrotter as a highly valued choice as a trail riding horse for pleasure, endurance racing, competitive trail riding, all phases of cow/ranch work ,cowboy shooting, hunting, parades and even Hollywood. The foxtrotter is the only breed that was selectively bred to perform the foxtrot, but let it be understood that other "soft gaited" horses may also foxtrot. The characteristic foxtrot has evolved over time. It's original signature foot fall allows for the hind hoof to "cap" the track of the front hoof, thus appearing like a "fox's track in snow". As time and breeding evolved, the modern foxtrotter may very well over cap his tracks. This unique gait is demonstrated naturally by the selective breeding program that allows the foxtrotter to "shuffle" it's hind legs resulting in less jarring to the rider. During the foxtrot, the horse should not demonstrate a great deal of vertical movement from the front legs but "reach out" and extend from the shoulder. The foxtrotter also will demonstrate a stylish flat foot walk and a rolling canter. Another signature characteristic of this awesome breed is the total picture of rhythm as it travels down the road-- from the tip of it's nose to the natural arch of his tail, head "bobbing" up and down with each stride, a true picture of grace, pride, and huge heart. |
Click Here to read more - An Introduction to the Gaited Horse by Barbara Weatherwax Visit her website for more information about this and other publications. |