Morgans today

Justin Morgan was a teacher, composer,nationally famous and became household words.
businessman, and horseman who had moved toThe majority of Morgans, however, did their daily
Randolph, Vermont from Springfield,work willingly and efficiently. They were highly
Massachusetts in 1788. He acquired a bay colt,regarded as general-purpose horses capable of
born in 1789, giving him the name Figure. This coltperforming a wide variety of tasks. During the
was the founding sire of the Morgan breed. WhileCivil War, Morgans served as cavalry mounts and
his true origins remain hidden in history, Figure isartillery horses. A cavalryman was only as good
thought to have been sired by True Briton, aas his horse and the Morgan is mentioned in many
horse widely respected for his excellence andsources as a highly desired horse during the Civil
known as a sire of quality horses. Figure's dam,War. The First Vermont Cavalry, mounted entirely
was "...of the Wild-air breed, of middling size, withon Morgans, gained a wide spread reputation as a
a heavy chest, of a light bay color, with a bushyfighting unit. Of their more than 1200 horses, only
mane and tail - the hair on the legs rather long,200 survived the war. Morgans are noted for
and a smooth, handsome traveler." Her sire wastheir small ears set above a broad forehead with
Diamond; a son of Church's Wildair by Wildairlarge, kind eyes, tapered muzzle and expressive
(Delancey's) out of a mare owned by Samuelnostrils, an arched neck set on a well angled
Burt named Wildair. As Figure grew, his compactshoulder, broad chest, short back; deep, compact
muscular body and stylish way of movingbodies set on legs with flat, dense bone; round
impressed many of the pioneer farmers andcroup, and round, hard hooves. Their proud
settlers. Soon tales of his beauty, strength, speed,bearing gives them a distinctive beauty that
hardiness, endurance, and gentle disposition spreadcatches the eye of all.
amidst the small New England towns. His ability toThe stamina and spirit of the Morgan, combined
outwalk, outtrot, outrun, and outpull other horseswith its build and way of traveling, contributed
were legendary. His stud services were offeredgreatly to the formation of other American
throughout the Connecticut River Valley andbreeds. These breeds include the Standardbred,
various Vermont locations over his lifetime. HisQuarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and
most valuable asset, however, was the ability toAmerican Saddle Horse. The first Morgan Horse
pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not onlyRegister was published in 1894. Since it's
to his offspring but also through severalestablishment, the registry has listed over 147,000
generations.Morgans with breeders located in all fifty states
After Justin Morgan's death, Figure moved on toand overseas.
other owners and spent a life working on farms,Morgans Today
hauling freight, and as a parade mount at militiaToday, Morgans can be found in all 50 states and
trainings. In the practice of the day, he becamein more than 20 foreign countries. Individuals
known by his former owner's name, the Justingenerally range from 14.1 to 15.2 hands, with
Morgan horse. He spent his life working and died inexceptions under and over that. Colors allowed
1821 from an untreated kick received fromwithin the breed include bay, black, brown,
another horse. His three most famous sons -chestnut, gray, palomino, creme, dun and buckskin.
Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury - would carryThe Morgan has remained a stylish mount with
on his legacy to future generations of Morganconformation that lends itself well to a vast range
horses.of disciplines. Morgan versatility is widely
Growth of a Breedrecognized. The breed's soundness, power, agility
The offspring of Justin Morgan's sons andand stamina make it the choice of many driving
daughters grew along with the young nation thatenthusiasts. Morgans comprise a large number of
was building itself upon hard work andentries at Combined Driving and Carriage events,
determination. Morgans worked along side theirand were the first American breed to represent
owners clearing fields and forests. When thethe United States in World Pairs Driving
week's work was done, they providedcompetition. Morgans also excel in many other
transportation to Saturday market and Sundaydisciplines, including Park Saddle and Harness,
meeting. In addition, they pulled stagecoachesEnglish and Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving,
throughout New England. In the 1840's severalWestern, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing, Dressage,
breeders in Vermont and western NewReining, Cutting, Endurance and Competitive Trail.
Hampshire began efforts to concentrate theThey are gentle enough for lessons, 4-H and
Morgan lines. By locating second, third, and fourthPony Club involvement, and due to their steady,
generation descendants of the original Morgancomfortable gaits, are in great demand as
horse, they established the foundations of thetherapeutic riding horses. Morgans are equally well
breed. By the mid-1850's Morgans were selling forknown for their loving, kind dispositions. Those
high prices and were widely distributed across thewho buy a Morgan often say they have not only
United States. Morgans set world-trotting recordspurchased a horse, but have welcomed a new
when the sport of harness racing was in itsfamily member.
infancy. Black Hawk and his son Ethan Allen were