A look at the Morgan horse, a truly magnificent breed.
The origin of the Morgan horse is a bit of a mystery. It is believed that the first Morgan horse was a stallion named Figure who was owned by a teacher in Vermont named Justin Morgan in the late 1700's. Figure's pedigree was mostly unknown. There are some guesses as to his parentage, with common thinking leaning towards naming True Briton as his sire, and a mare by Diamond as his dam. Regardless of breeding, Figure was such an outstanding horse that he passed many of his own desirable characteristics on to his offspring. It was this passing of genetics that prompted the beginning of a breed... the Morgan horse. Named in honor of the original Morgan's owner who passed away before his fine horse.
The Morgan is one of only a few breeds to have been founded in the United States. Morgans got their start at the same time the United States was starting out. They originated as an all-purpose workhorse. It was a time for practicality, and Morgans filled that role. They could plow fields, haul loads, and drive the buggy to church on Sunday. By the 1840's, the outstanding versatility of this breed was recognized and breeders in Vermont started making a point to gather up the sons and daughters of the original Morgan, Figure. These horses became the foundation breeding stock for today's Morgan horse. By the 1850's the popularity of the Morgan had taken firm root in the United States. They were used as trotting horses, Calvary mounts in the civil war, but always as general purpose working horses. The official Morgan Horse Registry was created in 1894 and has been keeping track of pure bred Morgans ever since.
With the formation of the registry came the standardization of the breed. First and foremost, the breed's personality is described as being personable and eager. The Morgan horse has been bred through the years to be a strong horse with a fluid natural way of moving. Morgans should have a short back, and strong compact bodies. The head should be fine, with a straight or slightly dished face set on a long, slightly arched neck. The legs should be straight and sound with no obvious faults. The size of a Morgan (the height of a horse is measured at the withers in "hands'". Each "hand" represents 4 inches) generally ranges between 14.1 to 15.2 hands, with some variations. Colors allowed within the breed include bay, black, brown, chestnut, gray, palomino, creme, dun and buckskin. A great emphases is placed on the personality of a Morgan horse and their breed standard claims a good Morgan should have the following attributes: animation, stamina, vigor, alertness, adaptability, attitude, and tractability. Morgans are know for their beauty, and their gentle, loving, and willing personalities.
Due to the overall emphasis on breeding a beautiful, but strong and functional horse Morgans excel in many disciplines including but not limited to: Park Saddle and Harness, English and Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving, Western, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing, Dressage, Reining, Cutting, Endurance and Competitive Trail.
A Morgan would be a suitable horse for either a novice rider, or the most experienced horseman.
