Froghorn Ranch: Missouri Fox Trotters

The move to the high line of Malta has put us beyond the easy reach of a good trainer, farrier or even good equine veterinary care. Since I can't do all of the above myself, we are shutting down the breeding end of our horse business.

We will keep some foxtrotters for our own enjoyment, but are selling stock for less than the cost of the feed they've eaten. Looking for a good deal? Make us an offer!

The stallion, Maple Hills Velvet's Cream, and his bay mare band are available, too - make an offer!

The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse

In the early 1970's we met another couple riding horses in the desert mountains of North San Diego County. When they mentioned that they were riding Missouri Fox Trotters, I innocently asked if their gaited horses didn't find this rough country difficult. I didn't know that I had thrown down the challenge gauntlet...

Accepting the invitation to ride back to their place for coffee, they took off cross country. Think rocks, gullies, cactus, etc. I was proud of the horse I was riding, though he didn't have a pedigree, he was a movin' machine and we called him 'Dozer' because you could point him anywhere and he would get there quickly.

Our horses struggled between a fast, hard trot and lope trying to keep pace with these Missouri Fox Trotters. From our position in the rear, we could tell our new friends were just sitting pretty in their saddles, no bounce, no posting, while their horses just flew over the ground.

Back at their place, I rode 3 of their horses, from a youngster just starting out, to the push button campaigner. While the gait varied a little between the horses, I was HOOKED!

It wasn't until about 20 years later that we once again geared up to own horses, and there was not a doubt - it was going be Fox Trotters! By then I knew more about the breed. They aren't a hot house flower suitable only for smooth arenas and warm barns. They are for the most part, level headed, athletic, sure footed horses. They were developed as a true all around horse with the added value of a comfortable gait.

Since 1992 we have looked for horses that are sound, sensible and sane. Our fun with horses has been horse camping and trail rides, so those are the kind of horses we've bred. Not that they can't show, some of ours have done so under other owners. We've tried to get horses in the 15h range, as our knees get older those tall ones just make that stirrup harder to reach! Our horses live like horses, outside with some run in shelters. We hope you will enjoy checking out our group of Missouri Fox Trotters!

Please take some time and check out our horses!