A trotter horse is a type of horse specifically bred and trained to perform the trotting gait, a two-beat diagonal gait commonly used in harness racing where the horse pulls a sulky or cart. These horses are typically medium-sized, stand around 15.1 to 16.3 hands high, and have a balanced conformation with sloped shoulders, long limbs, and powerful hindquarters for speed and endurance. Examples include the French Trotter and the Irish Standardbred Trotter, known for their stamina and athleticism.
Trotters are regarded as excellent horses within their racing discipline due to their athleticism, stamina, and strong work ethic. However, they tend to be energetic and sensitive, requiring experienced handling and regular exercise. Beyond racing, trotters can successfully adapt to riding, trekking, jumping, hunting, and combined driving, though they may not be ideal for beginners without proper training and management.
Pacers are generally faster than trotters. This is because pacers move both legs on the same side of their body simultaneously (a lateral gait), which is more efficient and allows for higher speeds during harness racing. Trotters use diagonal pairs of legs in their gait, which is slightly less efficient, although they can still reach impressive racing speeds of up to 45-50 km/h.
Fox Trotter horses typically live around 25 to 30 years, which is within the normal lifespan range for most horse breeds. While specific lifespan data for Fox Trotters is not widely documented, they are generally healthy gaited horses known for their smooth four-beat 'fox trot' gait, prized for comfortable riding.