Tennessee Walking Horse vs Missouri Fox Trotter
Tennessee Walking Horse or Missouri Fox Trotter? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Tennessee Walking Horse | Missouri Fox Trotter | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Tennessee, United States | Ozark Mountains, Missouri |
| Size | 14.3–17 hands · 900–1,200 lb | 14–16 hands · 900–1,200 lb |
| Lifespan | 25–30 years | 25–30 years |
| Gait | Flat walk, running walk | Fox trot, flat walk |
| Temperament | Calm, gentle, willing | Calm, gentle, steady |
| Best fit | Trail, older riders | Trail, ranch, beginners |
| Energy | ●●●●● Smooth, steady pace | ●●●●● All-day stamina |
| Trainability | ●●●●● Gentle and willing | ●●●●● Willing and sensible |
| Upkeep | ●●●●● Hardy, easy keeper | ●●●●● Hardy, easy keeper |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Smooth and quiet | ●●●●● Smooth and quiet |
| Observed price | $4,000 median (78 prices) | $2,500 median (316 prices) |
How they differ
- Energy: about the same (3 of 5 each).
- Trainability: about the same (4 of 5 each).
- Upkeep: about the same (2 of 5 each).
- Beginner fit: about the same (5 of 5 each).
The Tennessee Walking Horse
A gaited horse bred on Tennessee plantations for a smooth, ground-covering running walk. Flat-shod Walkers are calm, comfortable trail horses; the padded show style is controversial because of soring abuse.
Keeping a Walker gaited takes a rider who understands gait and a farrier who shoes for it. Buyers must also check for signs of past soring, which is illegal and leaves scars.
Tennessee Walking Horse breed profileTennessee Walking Horse for sale
The Missouri Fox Trotter
A gaited horse from the Missouri Ozarks, bred for rough country and long days in the saddle. Its fox trot, walking in front and trotting behind, is smooth and sure-footed, and its temperament is famously calm.
A Fox Trotter needs a rider and farrier who understand gait to keep it smooth. As an easy keeper it can gain weight and needs diet control.
Missouri Fox Trotter breed profileMissouri Fox Trotter for sale
Questions
Is a Tennessee Walking Horse or a Missouri Fox Trotter better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 5 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Tennessee Walking Horse: Smooth and quiet. Missouri Fox Trotter: Smooth and quiet.
What is the main difference between a Tennessee Walking Horse and a Missouri Fox Trotter?
Keeping a Walker gaited takes a rider who understands gait and a farrier who shoes for it. Buyers must also check for signs of past soring, which is illegal and leaves scars. By contrast, a Fox Trotter needs a rider and farrier who understand gait to keep it smooth. As an easy keeper it can gain weight and needs diet control.
Which costs more, a Tennessee Walking Horse or a Missouri Fox Trotter?
On the prices we observed, the Tennessee Walking Horse median is $4,000 (78 prices) and the Missouri Fox Trotter median is $2,500 (316 prices).