Missouri Fox Trotter

The Missouri Fox Trotter is an equine breed that was developed in the 1800s by settlers in the Ozarks of the United States. These horses helped with work on farms and fields and were able to walk over rugged terrain.

Named for their fox trot gait (trotting with hind feet and walking with front feet), Missouri Fox Trotters are comfortable to ride over long distances and long periods. 

In 1948, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association was founded. And in 2002, the Missouri Fox Trotter became the state horse of Missouri. 

Missouri Fox Trotter Snapshot

• Height: 14–16 hands (56–64 inches)

• Weight: 900–1,200 pounds

• Lifespan: 20–30 years

• Colors: All colors, including chestnut, black, bay, gray, skewbald, piebald, and pinto

Caring for a Missouri Fox Trotter

Missouri Fox Trotters are beloved for their gentle and social temperament, as well as their versatility and talents.

When caring for a Missouri Fox Trotter, feed them an appropriate diet and keep them active to help prevent too much weight gain.

Also, keep these gaited horses strong with healthy joints and hooves.   

• Joint supplements can maintain healthy joints and help prevent arthritis for active and senior horses. 

• Hooves require regular trimming and/or shoes depending on the horse, every four to eight weeks on average. 

• Some horses may benefit from a hoof supplement as well.

Missouri Fox Trotter Health Issues

Because the Missouri Fox Trotter is a gaited breed, these horses are prone to lameness. They can also inherit certain health conditions and are susceptible to the various health problems that can affect all horse breeds.  

Here are some of the potential health concerns that a Missouri Fox Trotter can inherit or develop:

Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA)

Missouri Fox Trotters that have the silver dilution mutation in the PMEL17 gene can inherit an eye disorder known as multiple congenital ocular anomalies (MCOA). If a horse has one copy of the mutation, their symptoms won’t be as severe as those of a horse with two copies.

Symptoms of MCOA include:

• Cysts on the eyes

• Enlarged cornea

• Abnormal retina

• Abnormal iris

• Impaired vision or blindness 

To help prevent MCOA, avoid breeding horses with this mutation. Genetic tests are available to determine risk.

Lameness

Lameness can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) in horses.  Because lameness can be due to pain associated with the muscles, bones, or joints there are many causes.  Common examples of lameness in Missouri Fox Trotters include:

• Soft tissue injuries

• Hoof abscess

• Arthritis

Symptoms of lameness may range from mild to severe, and include:

• Reluctance to stand or move

• Limping

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Toe pointing

• Head bobbing

• Dragging the toe

• Not bearing weight on a limb

A veterinarian can provide treatment for lameness based on the cause. A horse might need:

• Stall rest

• Anti-inflammatory medications (phenylbutazone, Equioxx®)

• Regenerative therapies (stem cells, platelet-rich plasma)

• Complementary therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic)

• Adequan® or Osphos® injections

• Surgery

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

The Missouri Fox Trotter horse is predisposed to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). When this occurs, the body is unable to regulate insulin properly, leading to metabolism problems and other conditions like laminitis.

Symptoms of EMS include:

• Trouble losing weight

• Easily gaining weight

• Obesity

• Regional fat deposits, such as on the crest of the neck

After diagnosing your horse with EMS, your veterinarian can provide a treatment plan that will likely include changes to their diet and exercise routine to ensure they reach and maintain a healthy weight. Because this is a lifelong condition with no cure, management is necessary.

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) causes the body to store too much glycogen (a form of sugar) in the muscles. This causes tying up episodes (severe muscle contractions) with symptoms that include:

• Weakness

• Soreness

• Cramping

• Poor performance

• Shifting lameness

• Stiffness

• Reluctance to move

There are two types of PSSM: Type 1 (PSSM1) is caused by genetics, while Type 2 (PSSM2) occurs without a genetic mutation.

Because Missouri Fox Trotters can inherit PSSM1, testing for it can help prevent passing it on to future generations.

Your veterinarian can provide guidance on how to help your horse recover after a tying up episode. Treatments may include medications for pain and inflammation, sedatives, and muscle relaxants.

Your vet may also recommend changes to your horse’s diet and exercise routine, such as switching to a diet that is low in starches and carbohydrates and ensuring your horse exercises daily.

What To Feed a Missouri Fox Trotter

Missouri Fox Trotter horses are easy keepers, so they gain weight quickly if they are overfed or fed the wrong foods. Therefore, feeding this horse properly is important for keeping them at a healthy weight and preventing other ailments that can develop from being overweight or obese. 

Forage that is low in starch and sugar, like grass hay and alfalfa hay, is recommended for the Missouri Fox Trotter. You can also feed them a ration balancer.  

In general, you can feed your horse about 2% of their body weight in forage every day. For example, a horse that weighs 1,100 pounds would get 22 pounds of forage daily, in addition to salt and fresh water.  

Your veterinarian can help you come up with the ideal diet for your horse based on their workload, activity level, age, and overall health.

If your horse has been diagnosed with a health problem, supplements might be added to their diet to provide extra support. For example, your vet might advise giving your horse Omega-3 fatty acids or joint supplements, depending on their specific needs. 

Missouri Fox Trotter Disciplines

In the past, the Missouri Fox Trotter was used for various tasks, such as working in fields and forests and working with cattle.

Today they are still used for ranch work, but they are also sought after for riding and show. And they make lovely family companions if they aren’t used for competing.

Missouri Fox Trotters are comfortable to ride even on rough terrain, thanks to their three gaits (flat foot walk, canter, and fox trot).

They are used in pleasure riding, competitive trail riding, and endurance riding. They can even be a good choice for older riders and anyone who wants a horse that’s more comfortable to ride.

Some of the other disciplines that Missouri Fox Trotters do well include:

• Halter

• Reining

• Ranch sorting

• Dressage

• Jumping

• Barrel racing

• Competitive trail riding

• Endurance

Missouri Fox Trotter Personality and Temperament

The Missouri Fox Trotter is a horse that likes to be around people. They can get along with anyone, including owners and riders of all ages and experience levels.

These horses are calm, quiet, and gentle. They are also intelligent, reliable, and eager to please, with a willingness to learn and work.

Missouri Fox Trotter horses are a joy to ride, not only because of their smooth gait and sure-footedness but also their friendly personality. This breed is a good choice for everyone from inexperienced equestrians to professional forest rangers, and these horses can be used to teach beginner riders.

The same traits that make Missouri Fox Trotters popular with adults also make them a great choice for children, including those who have never ridden a horse before. 

Missouri Fox Trotter Training

As with all horses, Missouri Fox Trotters benefit from patient and consistent training. Training is a gradual process that can begin when foals are less than 1 year old.

Missouri Fox Trotters also need gait training. With certain exercises, such as pole training, they can master and maintain their three gaits, and you’ll be able to train them to switch between gaits. Plus, gait training helps keep their joints and muscles healthy, too.

Missouri Fox Trotter Grooming Guide

Establish a grooming schedule to keep your horse’s coat and hooves clean and healthy. A grooming kit that contains the right brushes will ensure you have everything you need. Plus, each grooming session gives you extra time to bond with your horse.  

Coat Care

Missouri Fox Trotters aren’t complicated when it comes to grooming.

Must-have products for your horse grooming kit include:

• Curry comb and dandy brush for loosening and removing dead hair and debris

• Shedding blade to remove loose hair

• Soft face brush that won’t irritate this sensitive area

• Mane and tail comb or brush for detangling these delicate hairs

• Finishing brush to make the coat shine

Missouri Fox Trotters with straight hair can be groomed with the standard methods and tools mentioned above.

Those with curly coats, on the other hand, require a gentler approach to prevent damage and breakage. For example, you can use detanglers and conditioners on a curly-coated Missouri Fox Trotter, along with soft brushes that are designed to prevent pulling.  

Hoof Care

One of the many Missouri Fox Trotter characteristics that make this breed stand out is the horse’s ability to walk over rough terrain with ease. So their hooves need to be checked often to ensure they are sound.

When the hooves are strong, your horse will be able to perform their gaits; healthy hooves also help prevent lameness.

Hire a professional farrier who will trim and shoe your horse while making sure the hooves are balanced. And, on a day-to-day basis, clean your horse’s hooves with a high-quality hoof pick and look for signs of problems, such as abscesses, that need to be addressed by a veterinarian.