Posted 2008-05-12 6:44 PM (#83789 - in reply to #83736) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 2615
Originally written by mingiz on 2008-05-12 5:50 AM
Well everyone I picked up the filly yesterday.Or should I say I rescued a filly yesterday. I got there and the woman never even cleaned her up etc.This wasn't the horse I saw in the ad. I felt so bad for her I bought her. This woman had no coggins etc for this filly.I did get her MFT papers. Her tail has a softball size tangled knot in it.Looks like she may have some rain rot also..she loaded onto the trailer and her 3hr ride home was quiet..She seems very laid back..I taped her to see what her weight was and at 15h she only weighs 679 lbs. I have my work cut out..I posted pics I recieved of her from the owner. I will try and post the ones I took yesterday after I got her home...What irks me is this womans website is totally not what she has..Very nasty farm she has...I still feel like calling animal control in that county on her.
She is the same horse in the ad,only,the ad pic was made in March.I'd say she stopped feeding her along about then.
Posted 2008-05-13 5:20 AM (#83814 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Well I don't know how much good it will do but I informed the local animal control for that county about this horse and the woman that owned her.....Skye is doing well and is settling in very well. She loves her stall and her blankie and of course her food...I have the vet coming to check her over and give her shots etc..Her feet look good. I think she realizes that she has a good home now...She hasn't done anything to threaten me or even shows any signs of it. I think this girl will do ok..I have seen and helped worst...I know that a few of you are concerned that I brought her home without a coggins. I have her separate form the other 2 and other than being hungry she doesn't show any signs of sickness. I know you may not see it..But I have been around long enough to know....I will keep you guys posted on her progress....She really is a sweety....I don't regret taking her...Well I'm going to send the past owner am email today and tell her that she isn't worth a damn as a horse person and shouldn't be in a breeding business. She isn't breeding MFT she has arabians...I didn't see too many horses there but what I did see. Skye was the worst...Just makes me want to go back there and beat the living hell out of that woman...Ok vented....Morning ALL.....Thanks for all your concern
Posted 2008-05-13 6:59 AM (#83820 - in reply to #83814) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 2615
shows any signs of it. I think this girl will do ok..I have seen and helped worst...I know that a few of you are concerned that I brought her home without a coggins. I have her separate form the other 2 and other than being hungry she doesn't show any signs of sickness. I know you may not see it..But I have been around long enough to know....
Just to say that: they can have positive Coggins test,and not show signs of illness for a while.The gentleman that I PM'd you about,that lost his entire herd because his neighbors would not COggins test theirs,said not a one of his was ill with signs,but all had positive Coggins when they were infected.You might want to check the quarantine distances,you will be surprised at the distance of it from other horses.It is not merely separating them on your property.More than likely she is OK but just to say that my husband recently went through Coggins certification training,and our vet has told us what can happen if any of ours were to test positive.If they cannot be quarantined properly for the length of time required they must be euthanized.
That being said,I wonder how this lady "breeder " of Arabians (or crossbreeds,it looks like,on her website) came by the horse.Does your filly have papers,or,did she just tell you that she is a "foxtrotter." People kill me that say they have a "foxtrotter" when it is really a grade gaited horse,and that's all.It could be any gaited breed besides a foxtrotter.If you have any doubts about the papers,you might want to contact the MFTHBA at Ava,MO.
That being said too,I am glad that the filly went to a concerned and caring person like YOU.I believe she would have starved there,she got pretty thin from her original picture until now.I hope animal control goes to her place and inspects things.Be prepared for her to lie to them about you.
Posted 2008-05-13 9:01 AM (#83832 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
After too many years of trying to develop gaited horses into true gaiting, we've found it cheaper in the long run to only buy those that are naturally gaited from the get go. Yes, you can teach a QH to foxtrot, running walk, or rack, BUT. It is time consuming and many time more frustrating than it's worth. And Yes, there are a few naturally gaited Foxtrotter's, but very few. The majority have to be taught the gait, and either have a trainer periodically tune them up, or the owner has to learn how themself.
I don't buy into the concept, that they have to be muscled up to gait. Yes, you can train them to gait using muscle conditioning and anyone of many more techniques, but, here again, is it worth the time, investment and effort, verses, buying them naturally gaited. If they are naturally gaited they will gait from the very beginning.
Too many times a cheap initial investment costs more in the long run than one already gaiting and ready to go.
Posted 2008-05-13 11:39 AM (#83842 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 235 Location: Bucksport, Maine
Hi Bob, nice to see you here! I agree, if someone is looking for a gaited horse, it's best to look for natural gait. She'd already purchased this one by the time she posted here, though, so we're just doing our best to help her out.
Posted 2008-05-13 5:37 PM (#83873 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I got a response back from animal control in her county. I sent the same pics that I posted. Even if she lies about me I have 2 witness's that were with me when I picked her up. If animal control over there needs me to show up for a hearing. I'll be gone in a flash....
At this point I don't care if this filly gaits or not. I know a guy that had 2 MFT, one would foxtrot it's butt off and the other never did even after training. If she turns out just to be a smooth ride that will be fine too..
My main thing is there are not many if any MFT around here. And if there are they are priced out of the wazoo. If I could afford the fuel or transport to go to the midwest areas to get one I would have a long time ago... I don't like buying sight unseen either...But for the most part I have one she isn't much now but just wait.... I figure pretty is as pretty does
Posted 2008-05-13 6:30 PM (#83877 - in reply to #83873) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 2615
Most people's mistake is in riding them early on,they try to push them for speed.They aren't bred to be speed rackers,and aren't shown as such.Go on the Missouri Foxtrotter's website,and you will learn about the average flat foot walk,foxtrot,ect and the rate of speed that they can travel at.Why's it all about "speed" anyway? Most trail riders don't want to go through the woods lickety split getting their kneecaps knocked off on trees.If you tried racking through the terrain WE camped and rode at,Big Creek,Hartshorn MO,a couple of weeks ago,you'd be lucky to stay on,plus,not wind up with you and your horse tripping and falling on their face and dumping you off.Speed isn't necessarily king on the trails,it can be dangerous.WHen I want my foxtrotters to get on up and walk on a flat terrain,don't worry,they can deliver it.But through rocky trails up high ridges and down,it is downright careless and dangerous.Take it from me,you can get hurt.I had a mare that I sold because she had no idea how to negotiate a trail at a slow and safe speed.She'd been ridden wide open,and that's all she knew how to do.I nearly got my knee broken on a narrow trail riding her,so,she had to go.My mare now will foxtrot,and when called upon can do it,but on the trail,I want something that has a #1 priority of not getting hurt,thus,not getting ME hurt.
Posted 2008-05-13 6:34 PM (#83879 - in reply to #83877) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
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Posts: 2615
In addition to the website that has your filly's sire on it,you might enjoy looking at this one:www.missourifoxtrottersatoz.com which lists some of the breed's foundation sires and has pictures,very informative site.
On this site look at the link "colors" and near the bottom of the page,you will find another picture of your filly's sire.He is a smutty palomino.
Posted 2008-05-13 7:19 PM (#83886 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I wish markings were indicated on MFT papers like for Arabs, QHs papers etc. Not just the verbiage. If the papers were marked, the poster could be sure she got the correct horse since she has the cute white spot on her nose. I am glad to see DNA testing being required now for the MFTs, but it is going to take awhile to get the breed up to standards of other registeries.
Posted 2008-05-14 9:25 AM (#83930 - in reply to #82706) Subject: RE: Missouri Fox Trotter Help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
DNA testing is only part of the picture. DNA is useless if they are not gaited. You can not ride DNA, but you do ride gait. Too bad they don't have the certification similar to the KMSH.
Missouri Fox Trotter Help
Hopefully you can make her healthy and happy.
I agree, if someone is looking for a gaited horse, it's best to look for natural gait. She'd already purchased this one by the time she posted here, though, so we're just doing our best to help her out.
I have 2 witness's that were with me when I picked her up. If animal control over there needs me to show up for a hearing. I'll be gone in a flash....
I figure pretty is as pretty does