Missouri Fox Trotter people where are you?

I have rescued a MFT Stud who was in REALLY bad shape. I know next to nothing about he breed but did it because I have spinal issues and thought if I could get him to ride maybe he would be good for me too. Well we took our first official ride today and it was AMAZING! When he found his pace I could have done that for days. And he was SO good if I asked him something he didn't understand he would just try his hardest to please me until he got it. We jumped logs, swam a pond. Frankly I'm not that great a rider, and I wasn't real sure about riding a stud horse, but he couldn't have made me happier. So I want to know more about this breed from the people that ride them. Is he typical of the breed, do I have to be careful not to lope? I know they were bred orginally to do it all from pull a plow to work cattle and then pull the carriage on Sunday's. I have access to a small buggy and would love to teach him to do that but I have NO CLUE....oh well live and learn

[QUOTE=Dianawollsch;1865860*I have to be careful not to lope? [/QUOTE]

I guess a better word would be canter not lope, but I was reading/learning tonight that a MFT has 3 natural gaits, flat walk, fox trot and a rocking horse canter which I think must have been what we were doing because that's exactly what it felt like a rocking horse. Whatever it was it was SWEET much easier on me than my little AQH is...so I guess cantering won't hurt his other gait? Did I read that right? As long as we work on developing all the muscle groups?

I don't know anything about MFT, but I do suggest gelding him just because owning a stud can be a liability and no matter the breed can be dangerous around mares. I remember the first time I cantered a gaited horse and yes we went over logs and through creeks, awww it was a blast. I've owned stock horses for the last 10yrs but I have rarely felt comfortable enogh to ask for more then a trot, and then with my last horse forget it, she was like riding a pogo stick. Sweet mare but dang that girl would leave you in pain and tired just trying. I had a very experienced person ride her on two occasions she said she was the bounciest least smooth horse that she had ridden in a very long time. Good news is that she had rode bouncier lol. Can't wait for that rocking chair gait, I dream of it. Congrats on your new boy he sounds like a blast, I've read that most gaited breeds are very eager to please with either even or gentle temperaments. One reason why walkers are often abused, they allow it do to their nature and idiots take advantage of it. You need to post post pics, and eventually video of your adventures, I'd love to see him move.

Oh I can assure you he will be fixed ASAP! The problem was he was SO emiciated the vet just wouldn't do it until he was a little better. We still have a ways to go but I don't think it will be much longer. I will post pics soon he doesn't look very good now. Besides being emaciated to the point of not even looking like a horse, I had to cut his mane and forelock completely off because it was matted to the skin with cockle burrs that had cut into him and made huge sores. I did manage to save his tail...

I can deal with a roached mane, glad you were able to save his tail. Poor guy sounds like he was in a horrible situation. Kudos to you for taking the chance and saving him, he will be more then worth it. He's gaited and rescue animals know they just do. They tend to give 110% each and every time.

I love the way MFTs look they are sooooo pretty

I just purchased my first MFT two weeks ago. Actually two, the guy was selling both his mare as a package deal and to get the mare I wanted I had to take both. They are an 8 yr Palamimo(Lemonsilla??) and her dam a 14 yr Sorrel. To say the least they are very buddy sour and do not like to be seperated, The weather has been horrible and I have not been able to ride them yet. Their manes and tails were also full of burrs, the previous owner wacked their manes off. I painstakingly pulled all the burrs from thier tails though. I live in the northwestern corner of New Mexico. These will be my first gaited horses as well and I am struggling to find reliable info on the correct tack for them. I am being told I do not need to buy special gaited horse equiptment.

Roseann usually you do not need special tack at all for a gaited horse. You just have to find a saddle that fits your horse or bridle that fits and bit the horse likes. Just like any other horses just with a smoother ride. Have fun if you google it there is a gaited horse myth page, it's very informative.

We have AQHA, Missouri Fox Trotter and Tennessee walker breeds in our small herd. The MFT is a delightful breed, and can actually have more than the 3 natural gaits (although they're supposed to always have the fox trot and fox walk...) You might get walk, fox walk, fox trot, lovely canter, rack and a running walk 4-beat gait thrown in there. Some that are bred for the show ring might be pacey, which is not preferred although in some animals it can actually be a smooth gait at speed. Be aware that when he actually gets more fit and healthy he might have a bit more "go" than he does now...but they are great horses. The MFT web site is Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association and they have a bunch of info for new owners. You might look up some names and phone numbers....breeders and show people would be happy to answer questions!

I have has MFT for quite a few years and live about 5 miles from the Association. They are usually very good minded horses and a pleasure to own. It was great that you were able to save him.