As its name suggests, the Missouri Fox Trotter has its roots in Missouri, specifically the Ozark Mountains. They were created by crossing the region's Arabians, Morgans, and Thoroughbreds. This wasn't necessarily because the locals wanted to create a new breed, but more because those were the horses they had at the time.
The distinctive fox trot of this breed didn't have to be bred for. It developed because of the uneven terrain in the Ozarks. Because the smoothness of this gait, the Missouri Fox Trotter became prized above any other, and this is when selective breeding truly started. Other gaited horses, such as the Standardbred and the Tennessee Walker, were added into the gene pool to help stabilize the breed and ensure the fox trot would breed true.
Standing between 14 and 16 hands high, the Missouri Fox Trotter isn't a large horse, but he has a sweet face and a pleasant disposition. This breed can be found in all colors, including buckskin, pinto, and spotted. The truly distinctive thing about this breed is the fox trot, where the horse appears to trot with the rear legs but walk with the front legs. It's fascinating to watch, especially when you notice this gait does not bounce like the traditional trot. This lack of bounce makes for a smooth ride over most terrain. The horse nods with each stride and the gait has a particular rhythm that cannot be mistaken. All in all, this horse is a joy to watch.
The Missouri Fox Trotter was originally used for transportation and cattle work, and this really hasn't changed all that much. Today you're most likely to find this breed hard at work on the ranch, used for long distance trail riding, or simply for pleasure riding. For more information, contact The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.
Back in the 17th century, when oddities and strange animals were irresistible to the nobility, horses that were smaller than the norm were set aside and used in breeding programs across Europe. When crossed with the Shetland Pony, these smaller horses produced even smaller offspring. Those offspring with a less refined appearance were inevitably used in the mines as pit ponies, hauling carts of supplies and materials. Those more attractive ponies found their way into circuses and shows throughout the continent.
Over time, other breeds were added to the mix. The Hackney brought a little more refinement. Horses with pinto coloring were used to introduce new colors. Eventually, with selective breeding, horses that resembled smaller versions of Arabians, American Quarter Horses, and others came about, especially as the Miniature Horse spread throughout Europe and North America.
Unlike other breeds, Miniature Horses are measured in inches, not hands. They should stand no more than 34 inches at the base of the mane at the withers. That's under 3 feet, so these guys are a little small. For this reason, they are not ridden, not even by children. Despite this, they are vastly popular and available in practically every color, including palomino, pinto, and a strange pattern called Pintaloosa, which is really a cross between a pinto and an Appaloosa.
Though they cannot be ridden, Miniature Horses are used today for driving and in-hand classes such as obstacle courses and halter. For more information about this adorable breed, contact the American Miniature Horse Association.
Though it's generally agreed that the Marwari originates in India, there's not much more known about the ancient history of this magnificent breed. We do know that horses with similar features, specifically the curved ears, appear in cave paintings that were in existence in 2000 BCE in the Rajasthan region of India. Indian warriors, usually referred to as Rajputs, used these horses as cavalry mounts. They have also been used as ceremonial mounts in various parts of the world.
Standing between 14.2 and 16 hands high, the Marwari is an average size horse. Its most amazing feature is clearly the curved ears, though no one really knows why the ears developed this curve. Some horses have ears that actually touch or cross, giving them an even more exotic appearance. But the ears aren't the only impressive feature. They also have gracefully arched necks and are sometimes born with a pacing gait called either the apchal or the revall.
The Marwari is a true desert horse, but it's not exactly like other desert horses. Though not exactly stocky, this breed is certainly heavier than you might expect, almost as heavy as the Spanish horses. They have a similar build to the Kathiawari, though we don't exactly know much about that breed either.
Available in just about any color (except chestnut), the Marwari is used today to pull tourist carts and is also frequently ridden by police and for ceremonial events such as weddings and festivals. For more information on this special breed, visit Horse Marwari.
South Carolina can be boggy and hot and humid and generally unpleasant for people and horses alike. But there is one horse that is uniquely suited to the climate, and that is the Marsh Tacky. Descended from Spanish horses brought to the region in the 1500s, the Marsh Tacky's environment kept it isolated during the breed's formative years. This isolation resulted in a hardy horse well suited to traversing the marshes, swamps, and bogs while withstanding the ever-present heat and humidity.
Its versatility meant it could be used for plowing fields or hunting, ranching or transportation, or anything in between. Later it became a choice mount for soldiers in the area, especially during the American Revolution and the American Civil War. It was even used to patrol the beaches of South Carolina during World War II (WWII). Then, as happened to several other breeds of horse, numbers declined as the automobile and mechanized farm equipment became more popular. By the 1980s, the Marsh Tacky was feared extinct.
Luckily, they weren't, and with the help of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) and the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association (CMTA) the breed has slowly come back from the brink if extinction. But with less than 300 horses left in the world, it is still considered critically endangered.
There are a lot of wonderful things that can be said about the Marsh Tacky. It is gentle, sweet, and calm. It has great stamina, is incredibly strong, and is highly trainable. It's also a lovely companion horse. But probably its most distinctive trait is the Swamp Fox Trot. This is a unique gait that makes traveling over rough terrain a comfortable ride. It's also a gait no other breed has mastered.
The Marsh Tacky has a distinct appearance. With a wide forehead and a flat or slightly convex profile, the Marsh Tacky has a distinguished face. Its ears have a notch or inward point at the tips, the neck is wide, and the withers are pronounced. Not a tall horse, it stands between 13.5 and 15 hands high. Typical colors include bay, black, blue roan, chestnut, dun, grullo, red roan, and sorrel.
Used today for trail and pleasure riding, the Marsh Tacky is also suitable for endurance and competitive trail riding. If you want to get a good look at this breed, consider attending the annual Marsh Tacky races held at Hilton Head in South Carolina.
