Missouri Fox Trotter weight and height: a mid-sized Ozark trail horse

The association page was copied by the Internet Archive in 2013.

A breed identified by gait

The state of Missouri, which made the Fox Trotting Horse its official state horse in 2002, says the breed is identifiable by its gait and not necessarily by its appearance: a flat foot walk, the fox trot and a canter. That is why the size range is wide. Oklahoma State adds that the breed survived the arrival of cars because Ozark cattlemen kept using it, and the University of Kentucky says the diagonal fox trot lets the horse stay sure footed on any terrain.

Daily hay for a 1,050 pound Missouri Fox Trotter

The arithmetic uses 1,050 pounds, the middle of the association’s weight range.

Merck’s starting point for a healthy adult is 2 to 2.5% of body weight in feed dry matter a day, at least half of it forage, and 1.5% for an obese horse, with a warning that severe restriction can be harmful. These figures are our arithmetic from 1,050 lb, counting hay as 90% dry matter (Merck gives 88 to 90%).

Hay is the base of the ration, and pasture counts toward the total. Merck notes that ponies have been recorded eating up to 4.9% of their body weight a day on pasture and gaining weight, so a horse that lives on grass is worth taping and scoring.

• 1.5% of body weight: 16 lb (7 kg) of dry matter, about 18 lb (8 kg) of hay
• 2% of body weight: 21 lb (10 kg) of dry matter, about 23 lb (11 kg) of hay
• 2.5% of body weight: 26 lb (12 kg) of dry matter, about 29 lb (13 kg) of hay

A weight tape example for a Missouri Fox Trotter

The horse weight calculator uses the adult equation in the Merck Veterinary Manual: heart girth squared times body length, in inches, divided by 330, gives pounds. A heart girth of 72 inches and a body length of 67 inches gives 72 x 72 = 5,184, times 67 = 347,328, divided by 330 = about 1,053 lb (478 kg). Those measurements are our illustration of the formula, not a real horse.

Merck notes the equation slightly underestimates real weight and that a scale is the only exact method, so measure the same way each time to keep the trend reliable.

Hooves on rough ground

Merck advises trimming at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks to keep the hoof and leg balanced, and early treatment for cracks, thrush and white line disease. The University of Minnesota suggests every 6 to 8 weeks in summer and 6 to 12 in winter, when hooves grow slowly, and says the interval varies between horses. A trail horse that covers rocky ground is worth checking after every long ride.

Recognizing laminitis

Merck calls severe lameness with bounding digital pulses the hallmark of laminitis, usually in both front feet. It lists carbohydrate overload, excess weight bearing and illness among the causes, and says hormone disturbance linked to insulin is probably the most common underlying cause today. A lame horse with strong pulses at the pastern needs your vet at once.

Carrying a rider over distance

The University of Minnesota gives about 20% of ideal bodyweight, rider and tack together, as a comfortable load for an average adult light riding horse, about 210 pounds at 1,050 pounds. It adds that rough terrain, long days and higher speeds take more effort, so only fit horses and fit riders should attempt them, and the saddle must fit the horse’s back.

Body condition

Merck advises a score of 4 to 6 on the 9 point Henneke scale, and the University of Georgia describes a 5 as a horse whose ribs cannot be seen but are easily felt, with a level back. Score the horse monthly through the riding season and note the tape estimate beside it.