| SOUTHGAIT FARM |
INFORMATION ON MISSOURI FOXTROTTER HORSES:
For those of you who are not familiar with this wonderful breed of horses, here is a bit of information that
might help you determine if a Missouri Fox Trotter is the right breed of horse for you:
For those of you who are not familiar with this wonderful breed of horses, here is a bit of information that
might help you determine if a Missouri Fox Trotter is the right breed of horse for you:
 | The Missouri Fox Trotter is originally from the Ozarks Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. The | |
| breed is over 150 years old, and originally developed by early pioneers and settlers. The Ozarks are well known for having extremely rough and rocky terrain, so early settlers needed a horse that could travel quickly, smoothly, be very sure-footed, and dependable. They have been used for ranch work and working with cows much longer than other popular horses have been used. The Missouri Fox Trotter has been a secret of the Ozarks mountains for many years, and it is just recently that they have started to venture out of the mountains, and are quickly becoming one of America's favorite breeds. Working cattle, jumping fences, becoming a family horse, being smooth, having a calm disposition, being extremely sure-footed, and being able to go the distance are all requirements of a horse that lives in the mountains, and the Missouri Foxtrotter does it all with a smile. |
| A Missouri Fox Trotter is a smooth, gliding rhythmic, naturally gaited horse that walks in the front and | |
| trots in the back. The gait is a natural gait, so the horse should not need any special shoes or training to teach the horse to gait. Because the Missouri Fox Trotter has the genetic ability to preform their wonderfully smooth 4-beat gait, there is virtually no bounce for the rider, and it takes a lot for the horse to get wore out while doing this natural gait. Also, due to the foxtrot not being a high action gait, like other gaited breeds, the foxtrot is a much safer gait and the Missouri Fox Trotter does not develop the joint problems that many other gaited horses develop. They do not tend to get tangled up in their own movements, which allows them to become more versatile than any other gaited breed. |
| Like many other horses, they come in different body styles and sizes. Some are thicker boned than others, | |
| and some are built very fine. I personally prefer the thicker foundation look, that looks similar to a Foundation Quarter Horse...only they are much smoother and do not tire out so easily. The Missouri Fox Trotters' height ranges from 14 hands to over 16 hands. There is also a Missouri Foxtrotter Pony registry. |
| They are the most versatile gaited breed. Missouri Fox Trotting Horses have proven themselves time | |
| and time again in events such as endurance, jumping, barrel racing, field trials, pulling carts, reining, team penning, search and rescue, and as police horses. |
| Because of their VERY laid back personality, they tend to develop a strong bond with their owners. | |
| They make great family horses and tend to take care of their riders when most needed. |
| They are ranked as the #1 horse for being surefooted. They are often used by rangers in the mountains | |
| and as police mounts in cities because of their dependability, stamina, and sure-footedness. They can go in many places other breeds can not go, due to their dependability , calmness, and sure-footedness. |
| In general, they are quick learners, and very intelligent, which makes them easy to train. |
| They come in all colors |
| They are not just for old people, due to their temperament and versatility, in fact, many parents prefer a | |
| Missouri Fox Trotter over other breeds for a family horse. And due to their stamina, willingness, and versatility, they are becoming a favorite for many popular sporting events. |
| in the 1950's the first Fox Trotters were imported to Europe by the Queen Of England. Since then, more | |
| than 200 horses have been shipped to Europe, and the Missouri Fox Trotter is fastly becoming a European favorite...hummmmm...wonder why? |
| The Fox Trotter is often referred to as a "Cowboys Cadillac" for very obvious reasons. |
| The Fox Trotter motto's is........."TO RIDE ONE IS TO OWN ONE" Once you are around this great | |
| breed, you will probably never go back to another. If you would like more information on this breed, please feel free to contact me via email or phone. I am always willing to help in any way possible. Thank you for visiting my site. |
| SPECIALIZING IN BREEDING AND RAISING MISSOURI FOXTROTTERS |
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SouthGait Farm is a small, 30 acre horse farm, located a few miles south of Greenwood, South Carolina.
Because we are located in beautiful South Carolina, we are able to allow our horses to be horses, and
access to full turn out 24/7. We like to keep things as natural as possible in order to
keep our horses as happy as possible
My main goal is to produce quality Missouri Fox Trotting horses that have great dispositions, lots of
personality, naturally smooth gaits, and can be used in the show ring, or on trail. I prefer older bloodlines,
therefore, most of my stock has some 'bulk' bred into them, along with a lot of old fashion, foundation
bloodlines actually on the papers.
I use only natural horsemanship techniques on all of my horses, and I feel as I have more cooperative and
loyal horses because of it. All of our horses love attention, and would rather come up for attention than play
in the pasture.
The first few months of a foals life is very important. We imprint our babies, and spend as much time as
possible with them and the mares in order to produce a much more loving and responsive horse. Our goal
is quality, not quantity, and I believe we could not be able to produce the best of the best if we bred too
many mares at one time. It would be hard for us to give them each the one on one attention they deserve. I
have become a firm believer in natural horsemanship and developing true partnerships, and it never too
early to start.
Because we are located in beautiful South Carolina, we are able to allow our horses to be horses, and
access to full turn out 24/7. We like to keep things as natural as possible in order to
keep our horses as happy as possible
My main goal is to produce quality Missouri Fox Trotting horses that have great dispositions, lots of
personality, naturally smooth gaits, and can be used in the show ring, or on trail. I prefer older bloodlines,
therefore, most of my stock has some 'bulk' bred into them, along with a lot of old fashion, foundation
bloodlines actually on the papers.
I use only natural horsemanship techniques on all of my horses, and I feel as I have more cooperative and
loyal horses because of it. All of our horses love attention, and would rather come up for attention than play
in the pasture.
The first few months of a foals life is very important. We imprint our babies, and spend as much time as
possible with them and the mares in order to produce a much more loving and responsive horse. Our goal
is quality, not quantity, and I believe we could not be able to produce the best of the best if we bred too
many mares at one time. It would be hard for us to give them each the one on one attention they deserve. I
have become a firm believer in natural horsemanship and developing true partnerships, and it never too
early to start.
THIS SITE WAS CREATED AND IS MAINTAINED BY PAULIE TAYLOR, AT
SOUTHGAIT FARM.
LAST UPDATED: 1/19/2008
SOUTHGAIT FARM.
LAST UPDATED: 1/19/2008