Principles of the Breed

Principles of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA) Principles of the breed December 2024 side 2 / 12 4. Characteristics and main features Breed Missouri Fox Trotter (MFT) Origin USA, Missouri Height 14 – 16 hands (Height), Approximately 143-163 cm Color All colors allowed Conformation Head symmetrically shaped and of moderate length (equal or shorter than 1/3 of body length); distance from outside of one eye to outside of the opposite eye should be equal to one- half the length of the head; jawbones should be prominent with adequate space between jawbones where they join at the throat; head should taper to a refined muzzle Neck sufficiently long, approximately 1/3 of the body length Body square conformation with a long, sloping shoulder with an angle of 45 – 50 degrees; a short (to moderate length) back, reaching into the withers; adequate length croup with a slight downward tilt; wide deep chest; moderate, not too long legs and moderate muscling. Foundation correctly formed limbs with adequate size joints; hooves adequate for the size of the horse, well-shaped and hard; the toe direction of the hind legs may be slightly pointed outward (as long as the outward turn comes from the hips and not the hocks or below). Movement pure rhythm, harmony, flat, with an active stride; every movement is meant to cover ground; the forehand is to reach out far forward and the hindquarters reach under to at least cap the front hoofprints; any knee action is undesirable Fox Trot is a diagonal 4-beat gait. The Fox Trot is a stylish gait; the horse walks in an elegant manner with the front legs and trots with the hind legs. This rhythmic motion travels through the whole body from nose to tail. The front legs should not show any high knee action. The hind legs should perform a sliding movement, during which the hind hoof steps into or over the track of the front hoof. The head should be slightly elevated and convey the rhythmic motion of the hind legs. 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 good rhythm and must be consistent over distance. Flat Foot Walk is a 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. Canter/Lope is a slightly collected three-beat gait. The Lope shows a rhythmic, easy rolling, three- beat movement. The Lope is not a fast pace and the horse should have a relaxed appearance while being ridden with light contact on the reins. Excessive collection, failure to maintain forward motion, four-beat gallop, excessive speed or excessive pumping in the movement with the reins are not allowed. Every horse should be able to demonstrate a correct lope. Show Canter (required during Performance Classes) is a collected three-beat gait. The Show Canter should be a rhythmic, easy rolling, three-beat movement with more elevation in the front end than the Lope. The Show Canter is not a fast pace and the horse should have a