The Morgan

The source of the Morgan breed can be traced back to around 1790. It was about this time that a "smallish" dark bay by the name of Figure was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1795 the horse was given to a Vermont schoolmaster by the name of Justin Morgan as partial payment of a debt. As was the custom then Figure became known as the Justin Morgan horse.

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The Justin Morgan horse was worked incredibly hard plowing, hauling and clearing woodland for the local settlers. Although the horse was relatively small at no more than 14hh, it never lost a race (under saddle or in harness) or hauling match. Consequently the horse was bred frequently and now all Morgan's can be traced back to Justin Morgan by way of one of his famous sons: Sherman, Woodbury, and Bullrush.

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At the time Justin Morgan was being bred Morgan's typically had round, compact bodies. However there came a time when the public desired taller, faster horses. Morgan mares were still bred to capture the breed's temperament, but they were being bred with taller non-Morgan stallions. This breeding caused the round bodied Morgan's of the 19th century to virtually disappear.

This breeding led to a horse that was eventually used in the development of four other American breeds. The American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, American Quarter Horse and American Albino all owe at least part of their origin to the Morgan.

Morgan's are known for their easy keeping qualities and endurance. They were used by the Calvary in the Civil War and in the early 1900's there were endurance races who's goal was to prove that the Morgan was the best horse for Calvary purposes.

Today the breed is very versatile. It has been successfully used in most riding disciplines. They are known for their loving, kind dispositions as well as courage and intelligence. Typically, Morgan's stand from 14.1 to 15.2 hh with the most common colors being bay, black, brown, chestnut, gray, palomino and dun and buckskin.. They have a medium-sized head with a straight or slightly dished profile.

References:
1. Edwards E. (1991). The Ultimate Horse Book.   New York: DK Publishing.
2. The Morgan Horse website