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The Missouri Fox Trotter is an American gaited breed like the Tennessee Walker and the Saddlebred. It was estabilshed in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas and Missouri, about 1820, as a utility horse suited to the country and the needs of the settlers. A studbook for the breed was opened in 1948. The modern Fox Trotter is an all-around pleasure and show horse. It is usually ridden in western tack. The gaits evolved naturally, and artificial aids are banned by the breed society.
Breeding The early American settlers interbred Morgans, Thoroughbreds, and horses of the initial Spanish-Barb ancestry. They then introduced Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse blood to create a plain, compact horse of easy temperament, that was distinguished by a smooth, peculiarly broken gait that could be maintained over long distances and rough ground, at a regular speed of 5 mph (8km/h) (info from Eyewitness Handbook – Horses).

• Complete 07-05-2006 in 9.33 hours spread over 6 days