MORGAN HORSE

The 'Morgan' is one of the first horse breeds developed in the United States.^[1] Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility.

Contents

Breed characteristics

Breed history

Justin Morgan

Continuing the Breed

State Symbols

See also

References

External links

Breed characteristics

The Morgan is compact and refined in build, with strong limbs, an expressive face, large eyes, well-defined withers, laid back shoulders and a well arched neck. There is officially one Breed Standard for Morgan type regardless of the discipline or bloodline of the individual horse.^[2]
Registered Morgans come in a variety of colors although they are most commonly bay, black, and chestnut. Less common colors include gray, palomino, roan, cremello, perlino, dun, buckskin, and silver dapple. Also present are three of the pinto color patterns: sabino, frame overo, and splash overo. The tobiano pattern has not been noted in Morgans.^[3]
The breed standard ranges from 14.1-15.2 hands (1.45 to 1.57 meters) with some individuals over and under. Morgans under 14.2 are eligible for registration with the National Morgan Pony Registry and can be shown in open "Pony" competitions, even though they are technically horses, regardless of height, and are usually exhibited as such. They are also noted for their outstanding body structure and durability over tough terrain.^[4]

Breed history

Morgan mare and foal

An artist and author, Jeanne Mellin, wrote the modern definitive work on Morgan horses, ''The Complete Morgan Horse,'' which includes an extensive history.

Justin Morgan

All Morgans trace back to a single foundation sire, a stallion named Figure, who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789.^[5]. He was at one time owned by a man named Justin Morgan. The horse later came to be identified by the name of this particular owner, and "the Justin Morgan horse" also gave its name to the breed.
Figure is thought to have stood about 14 hh (1.42 m), and to have weighed about 950 lb (430 kg). He was known for his prepotency, passing on his distinctive looks, conformation, temperament, and athleticism. He died in 1821 at the age of 32 and is now buried in Tunbridge, Vermont.
There were many myths that sprung up surrounding Figure and Justin Morgan. The popular children's book, ''Justin Morgan Had A Horse'' by Marguerite Henry, perpetuated some misconceptions about the breeding of Figure (called "Little Bub" in the book) and his early life. A movie about the pair was also made by Walt Disney Studios, which also took liberties with the depiction of events.

Continuing the Breed

A young Morgan showing typical breed type

The breed's trotting ability made it a favorite for harness racing in the 1840s. Morgans were also used in the Civil War as cavalry mounts, including Sheridan's "Rienzi"^[6] and Stonewall Jackson's "Little Sorrel". In the post-civil war era, Morgans were also used in the Pony Express and as mounts for the cavalry in the western United States. The only survivor of the Custer regiment from The Battle of Little Bighorn was the Morgan-Mustang mixed breed horse Comanche.
The first volume of the Morgan Horse Register was published in 1894. Since then, more than 132,000 Morgan Horses have been registered. The stud book was closed in 1948 in an effort to preserve the breed. The Morgan has also influenced several other breeds, including the Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, American Quarter Horse, and the American Saddlebred. Nearly 90% of Saddlebred horses today have Morgan blood.
The Morgan Horse has a horse show circuit for that breed only. It consists of all levels of riding and all disciplines. Wins at regional championships qualify competetors to compete in Okalhoma City at the Morgan Grand Nationals. The first national Morgan Horse competition was held in 1973 in Detroit, and is now held each October in Oklahoma City, OK. In addition to the Morgan Grand National, there are 10 regional championship shows and many other official (referred to as "Class A") shows. Morgans also compete in all-breed shows, 4-H shows, and other events.
At class A breed shows, Morgans compete In Hand, English Pleasure, Park, Western pleasure, Carriage Driving, Pleasure Driving, Hunt Seat, Trail, Roadster, Parade, Reining, and Dressage. In these under saddle classes, both performance and conformation are judged. The exceptions to this are the trail classes and in hand classes, which give consideration to only performance and conformation, respectively.
The Morgan is also able to perform in the Olympic and internationally-recognized FEI disciplines, which include (show jumping, dressage, eventing), and combined driving, making the Morgan a versatile breed of horse.

State Symbols

In 1961, the Morgan horse was named the official state animal of Vermont.^[7] In 1970, the Morgan horse was named the official state horse of Massachusetts.^[8]

See also

★ Figure (horse)

★ Justin Morgan

★ State horse

★ Vermont

References

1. Morgan Horse FAQs
2. Judging Standards
3. Color and Markings Guidelines
4. Morgan "ponies"
5. Pedigree of Figure
6. Pedigree of Reinzi
7. Statutes of the State of Vermont
8. Statutes of the State of Massachusetts

External links

★ 'The American Morgan Horse Association'

★ Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

★ Morgan Horse Association UK

★ The International Morgan Connection Magazine

★ Canadian Morgan Horse Association

★ Morgan stallion information

★ http://www.morganphotoarchive.com Historical photographs

★ Foundation Morgan Horse Society

★ FoundationMorganHorse.com

★ The Lippitt Club - club dedicated to the Lippitt strain of the Morgan line

★ University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm

★ Rainbow Morgan Horse Association for Colorful Morgans

★ Morgan Colors

★ The Silver Dapple Morgans Project

★ National Morgan Pony Registry