Breed Spotlight  Morgan Horse
Morgan Horse
"America's First"
Sally Anne Lyle
used with the kind permission of the artist
Contents
An Introduction to the Morgan Horse
Champion Stallion, Salem Command
(Noble Command x Ru-Lee Mystique)
owned by Jim and Carole Bradford, Dexter, Oregon.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Vesty
The beauty of the Morgan horse lifts the heart.
The breed exists solely because they pleased people.
It is their heritage.
The Morgan is easily recognized by his proud carriage, upright graceful neck, and distinctive head with expressive eyes. Deep bodied and compact, the Morgan has strongly muscled quarters.
The intelligence, willingness, zest for life, and good sense of the Morgan is blended with soundness of limb, athleticism, and stamina. In addition, Morgan thriftiness and longevity have made this breed a good bargain for more than 200 years-- easy to love and affordable to own.
The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic ridden in English style. A tractable temperament allows the Morgan to excel when driving in single or multiple hitches.
Companionable and comfortable on a quiet pleasure ride anywhere open skies beckon, working as a sensible partner in a long day of ranch work or endurance riding, waiting alert and ready to enter a show ring, or performing in formal riding disciplines, the Morgan is a versatile horse within a versatile breed. The Morgan horse agreeably adapts to his owner's life style. This first American breed can be found worldwide.
Reliable, loyal, and tireless, the Morgan horse is one of today's most versatile breeds. The Morgan's popularity is at an all-time high, and his uses are many and varied. He becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, sharing the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.
Champion Cutting Horse
Kizzy's Crackerjack
Owned by Geraldine Paiva, California
photo: Harold R. Hoover
with permission of The American Morgan Horse Association
The tireless working stock horse, the competitive trail horse, and the all-around using pleasure horse (which form an integral part of thousands of American family homes) all contribute to the ever-increasing popularity of the Morgan horse.
Much could be written on these various uses, but in the following guidelines, we will concern ourselves only with that portion of horses produced by our most conscientious breeders to meet the stringent demands of these judging standards.
These are our breed diplomats, our showcase of Morgan horses which represent our breed in the public eye, and from which we must demand the very highest degree of excellence.
The patient disposition of the Morgan horse portrayed.
Salem Command with Alexandra Mooney,
daughter of Mike and Sara Mooney
of Destrier Morgans, Phoenix, AZ
Photo courtesy of Stuart Vesty
A Brief History of the Morgan Horse
In 1791 Justin Morgan, a singing school master in Randolph, walked home from Springfield, Ma. with a bay 2 year old colt taken as payment of a debt. That colt he called Figure, soon created a legend for his ability to outwork, outrun, outtrot, and outwalk any horse in the area. As his saga grew over the 30 years he lived in Vermont, countless sons and daughters were produced in his image. For Morgan's horse, now better known by his master's name, was one of the greatest breeding stallions of any time - the only one to establish a breed by himself.
From Vermont the popularity of Morgan blood spread across a growing nation. Every generation added to its luster: Black Hawk, epitome of equine symmetry and perfection at the trot, Ethan Allen, champion trotter of the world, renowned in the Racing Hall of Fame and familiar from Currier and Ives prints, and Green Mountain Morgan, winner of premiums and championships as a blood stallion as far away as Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan.
Throughout the 19th century wherever the need for a horse, the Morgan seemed to serve best. He earned his keep as a general purpose frontier horse, in teams hauling freight or passengers, trotting races, pulling doctor's buggies, delivering rural mail, drawing carriages of Presidents and financiers, and being cavalry horses.
In the Civil War the 1st Vermont Cavalry was mounted exclusively on Morgans. Only 200 of the 1,000 returned home having survived the 75 major conflicts. They won a reputation for being the best cavalry and artillery horses in either army.
The Morgan is the only breed ever fostered by the U.S. Government to meet America's needs. From 1907 to 1951 what is now the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm in Middlebury was operating by the U.S.D.A. to perpetuate the breed and provide breeding stallions for Remount stations across the country. Some of the most famous endurance horses were foaled there.
The contribution of Morgan blood to all later American breeds is extensive and well documented; including the Saddlebred, the Standardbred, the Tennessee Walker and the Quarter horse.
Morgan Horse -
Hunter Style
photo: Harold R. Hoover
with permission of
The American Morgan Horse Association
200 years of change from frontier Vermont to the space age has meant differing uses for Morgans but they have always adapted to every need. The Morgans innate desire to please and to give his best has remained a constant. So has his versatility - his ability to do many things well.
In harness or under saddle, his marvelous disposition and willing attitude make him an ideal family horse. An amateur can raise and train him with minimal help. An easy keeper, he remains healthy and sound over a life span 10 years longer than most breeds. On a noisy, busy road or a mountain trail, working cattle or accepting the discipline of dressage, teaching children the basics of horsemanship or showing off his brilliant and animated gaits in a Horse Show Park class - Morgans do it all, with beauty and enjoyment.
Origin of the Morgan Horse
Justin Morgan was a teacher, composer, businessman, and horseman who had moved to Randolph, Vermont from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1788. He acquired a bay colt, born in 1789, giving him the name Figure. This colt was the founding sire of the Morgan breed.
While his true origins remain hidden in history, Figure is thought to have been sired by True Briton, a horse widely respected for his excellence and known as a sire of quality horses. Figure's dam, was "...of the Wild-air breed, of middling size, with a heavy chest, of a light bay color, with a bushy mane and tail - the hair on the legs rather long, and a smooth, handsome traveler." Her sire was Diamond; a son of Church's Wildair by Wildair (Delancey's) out of a mare owned by Samuel Burt named Wildair.
As Figure grew, his compact muscular body and stylish way of moving impressed many of the pioneer farmers and settlers. Soon tales of his beauty, strength, speed, hardiness, endurance, and gentle disposition spread amidst the small New England towns. His ability to outwalk, outtrot, outrun, and outpull other horses were legendary. His stud services were offered throughout the Connecticut River Valley and various Vermont locations over his lifetime. His most valuable asset, however, was the ability to pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not only to his offspring but also through several generations.
After Justin Morgan's death, Figure moved on to other owners and spent a life working on farms, hauling freight, and as a parade mount at militia trainings. In the practice of the day, he became known by his former owner's name, the Justin Morgan horse. He spent his life working and died in 1821 from an untreated kick received from another horse. His three most famous sons - Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury - would carry on his legacy to future generations of Morgan horses.
Growth of the Breed
The offspring of Justin Morgan's sons and daughters grew along with the young nation that was building itself upon hard work and determination. Morgans worked along side their owners clearing fields and forests. When the week's work was done, they provided transportation to Saturday market and Sunday meeting. In addition, they pulled stagecoaches throughout New England.
In the 1840's several breeders in Vermont and western New Hampshire began efforts to concentrate the Morgan lines. By locating second, third, and fourth generation descendants of the original Morgan horse, they established the foundations of the breed. By the mid-1850's Morgans were selling for high prices and were widely distributed across the United States.
Champion Sire Merriehill's Chicagoan
(Black River Zeus x Donna L)
Merriehill Morgans, Stan and Paulette Bodnar, Marengo, Illinois
photo: Debbie Uecker-Keough
used with the kind permission of Paulette Bodnar
Morgans set world-trotting records when the sport of harness racing was in its infancy. Black Hawk and his son Ethan Allen were nationally famous and became household words. The majority of Morgans, however, did their daily work willingly and efficiently. They were highly regarded as general-purpose horses capable of performing a wide variety of tasks.
During the Civil War, Morgans served as cavalry mounts and artillery horses. A cavalryman was only as good as his horse and the Morgan is mentioned in many sources as a highly desired horse during the Civil War.
The First Vermont Cavalry, mounted entirely on Morgans, gained a wide spread reputation as a fighting unit. Of their more than 1200 horses, only 200 survived the war. Morgans are noted for their small ears set above a broad forehead with large, kind eyes, tapered muzzle and expressive nostrils, an arched neck set on a well angled shoulder, broad chest, short back; deep, compact bodies set on legs with flat, dense bone; round croup, and round, hard hooves. Their proud bearing gives them a distinctive beauty that catches the eye of all.
The stamina and spirit of the Morgan, combined with its build and way of traveling, contributed greatly to the formation of other American breeds. These breeds include the Standardbred, Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and American Saddle Horse. The first Morgan Horse Register was published in 1894. Since its establishment, the registry has listed over 147,000 Morgans with breeders located in all fifty states and overseas.
The Morgan Horse Today
Today, Morgans can be found in all 50 states and in more than 20 foreign countries. Individuals generally range from 14.1 to 15.2 hands, with exceptions under and over that. Colors allowed within the breed include bay, black, brown, chestnut, gray, palomino, creme, dun and buckskin.
The Morgan has remained a stylish mount with conformation that lends itself well to a vast range of disciplines. Morgan versatility is widely recognized. The breed's soundness, power, agility and stamina make it the choice of many driving enthusiasts. Morgans comprise a large number of entries at Combined Driving and Carriage events, and were the first American breed to represent the United States in World Pairs Driving competition. Morgans also excel in many other disciplines, including Park Saddle and Harness, English and Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving, Western, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing, Dressage, Reining, Cutting, Endurance and Competitive Trail. They are gentle enough for lessons, 4-H and Pony Club involvement, and due to their steady, comfortable gaits, are in great demand as therapeutic riding horses.
Morgans are equally well known for their loving, kind dispositions. Those who buy a Morgan often say they have not only purchased a horse, but have welcomed a new family member.
Versatility of the Morgan
When you start talking about Morgans, you'll hear one phrase over and over- "This horse can do ANYTHING!"
Indeed, the Morgan breed was founded by horses who were able to work the fields by day, pull an elegant buggy to church and race all challengers when the opportunity presented itself. The Morgans who excelled in all of these areas became well known, and were bred to many mares. The resulting offspring carried on these athletic traits into modern American breeding.
Combined Training winner
TJ Paddy O'Shea
with owner
Ariel Edwards, California
photo: Harold R. Hoover
courtesy of
The American Morgan Horse Association
The Morgan Standard of Perfection
 
Morgan Standard of a mare (left) and a stallion
as portrayed by artist Jeanne Mellin
Courtesy of The American Morgan Horse Association
The Morgan type as described in the IN-HAND SECTION that follows is the standard to which all breeders must strive. This is the horse our successful breeders will choose to enter their breeding herds and perpetuate the breed. In the close competition of today's major horse shows, there is little room for deviation from this type either by the breeder who selects his or her show Morgan or by the judge who evaluates this Morgan against the standard.
Naturally, only a small percentage of the Morgans produced by even our most successful breeders will meet the ideal type and conformation needed to win in today's "In-Hand" classes.
There is but one standard of perfection for the Morgan horse, and that is the ideal standard for all sections within the Morgan Division. The natural variations of type within the breed, and the mental attitude and natural aptitude of the individual animal, make it possible for some Morgans to be better suited for particular uses than to others. Occasionally we find an individual who, with proper training, may excel in many areas throughout his career, but more often individuals tend to do well only in those areas where constant training and development are offered.
Cobridge Maximum Affair
(Mtn. Laurel Maximilian x Trebles Wild Affair)
In 1997 as a two-year-old, "Maxine" was World Champion Junior Mare and Reserve World Grand Champion Mare.
In 1998, "Maxine" won the very competitive UPHA Pleasure Driving Championship and at Oklahoma City was named Reserve World Futurity 3-Year-Old Pleasure Driving Champion.
Photo by H. Schatzberg
courtesy of the owner:
Marilyn Esteb, Stone Pine Morgans, Larkspur, Colorado
It should be noted that, in some SECTIONS of the JUDGING STANDARDS, a greater variation from the ideal type may be acceptable; of course, in open competition against other breeds, the Morgan breed type will seldom be considered.
Correct Morgan type and conformation should be considered not only during In-Hand classes but also in performance classes where rules indicate that type and conformation are to be considered. The Standard is also used to evaluate Morgan type and conformation outside of the show ring.
A. Type is the ideal or standard of perfection for the breed. A Morgan is distinctive for its stamina and vigor, personality and eagerness and strong natural way of moving.
B. Conformation is the degree of perfection of the component parts and their relationship to each other.
1. The head should be expressive with broad forehead; large prominent eyes; with straight or slightly dished short face; firm fine lips; large nostrils and well-rounded jowls. The ears should be short and shapely, set rather wide apart and carried alertly. Mares may have a slightly longer ear.
2. The throatlatch is slightly deeper than other breeds and should be refined sufficiently to allow proper flexion at the poll and normal respiration.
3. The neck should come out on top of an extremely well-angulated shoulder with depth from top of withers to point of shoulder. It should be relatively fine in relation to sex. It should be slightly arched and should blend with the withers and back. The top line of the neck should be considerably longer than the bottom line. The stallion should have more crest than the mare or gelding. An animal gelded late in life may resemble the stallion more closely.
4. The withers should be well defined and extend into the back in proportion to the angulation of the shoulder.
5. The body should be compact with a short back, close coupling, broad loins, deep flank, well-sprung ribs, croup long and well muscled with tail attached high, carried gracefully and straight. A weak, low, or long back is a severe fault. The Morgan horse should not be higher at the croup than at the withers.
6. The stifle should be placed well forward and low in the flank area.
7. The legs should be straight and sound with short cannons, flat bone, and an appearance of over-all substance with refinement. The forearm should be relatively long in proportion to the cannon. The pasterns should have sufficient length and angulation to provide a light, springy step.
8. The structure of the rear legs is of extreme importance to the selection of a long-lasting equine athlete. Any sign of poor angulation of the hocks, sickle hocks or cow hocks must be considered a severe fault. Lack of proper flexion of the hock is cause for very close examination of the entire structure of the rear legs and should not be tolerated in breeding stock or show ring winners.
9. The feet should be in proportion to the size of the horse, round, open at heel, with concave sole and hoof of dense structure.
10. Viewed from the front, the chest should be well developed. The front legs should be perpendicular to the ground and closely attached to the body.
11. Viewed from the side, the top line represents a gentle curve from the poll to the back, giving the impression of the neck sitting on top of the withers rather than in front of them, continuing to a short, straight back and a relatively level croup rounding into a well muscled thigh. The tail should be attached high and carried well-arched. At maturity the croup should NOT be higher than the withers. The under line should be long and the body deep through the heart girth and flanks. The extreme angulation of the shoulder results in the arm being a little more vertical than in other breeds, placing the front legs slightly farther forward on the body. The front legs should be straight and perpendicular to the ground. The rear cannons should be perpendicular to the ground when points of hocks and buttocks are in the same vertical lines.
World Champion Stallion-
Tug Hill Whamunition
Brown, Foaled May 27, 1987
(Wham Bam Command x Fiddler's Majesta)
One of the most successful Morgan show horses of all time:
holder of 11 World Championship titles.
Owned by Bill and Helen Crawford,
Boston Morgan Farm, Wilsonville, Or.
photo: Debbie Uecker-Keough
courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. W. Crawford
12. Viewed from the rear, the croup should be well rounded, thighs and gaskins well-muscled. Legs should be straight. The gaskin should be relatively long in relation to the cannon. The Morgan should portray good spring of rib and well-rounded buttocks. Slab-sided individuals should be faulted.
13. The height ranges from 14.1 to 15.2 hands, with some individuals under or over.
14. Horses must be serviceably sound-i.e. must not show evidence of lameness, broken wind or complete loss of sight in either eye.
15. Stallions two years old and over must have all the fully developed physical characteristics of a stallion. Mature stallions must be masculine in appearance. Mares must be feminine in appearance.
16. Coat or eye color shall have no bearing when judging Morgan horses.
17. Brands, including freeze brands, shall not be discriminated against in any class.
C. Other distinctive attributes of the Morgan horse are his presence and personality. These include:
1. Animation 2. Stamina 3. Vigor 4. Alertness 5. Adaptability 6. Attitude 7. Tractability
D. Correct way of going for In-Hand classes:
It is imperative that height of action should not take precedence over correct way of going. Emphasis shall be on type and conformation with consideration given to horse's ability to move correctly on the lead.
1. The walk should be rapid, flat-footed, with a four-beat cadence, and elastic, with the accent on flexion in the pastern.
2. The trot should be a two-beat, diagonal gait, animated, elastic, square, and collected. The rear action should be in balance with the front.
E. Horses must stand with front legs perpendicular to the ground. Rear legs may be placed slightly back, but the horse must also be judged at some time in the class not stretched.
The above is an excerpt from
"The Morgan Horse Judging Standards".
The complete text is available free in booklet form by request from:
The American Morgan Horse Association
122 Bostwick Road -- P.O. Box 960
Shelburne, VT. 05482
Tel: 802.985.4944 -- Fax: 802.985.8897
CONTACT: info@morganhorse.com
2000 USA Equestrian Morgan Sire of the Year
IMMORTAL COMMAND
Black, foaled March 24, 1986
(Waseeka's In Command x UVM Vision)
Sire of World, Grand National and Regional Champions
in both In-Hand and Performance
Owned by Meg Preston, Rum Brook Farm, Epping, NH.
Photo: Debbie Uecker-Keough, courtesy of Meg Preston
Useful Morgan Horse Links
AMERICAN MORGAN HORSE ASSOCIATION -
Official website of the Morgan Horse
morganhorse.com
AMERICAN MORGAN HORSE HISTORIC PHOTO ARCHIVE
users.ohiohills.com
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MORGAN HORSE
www.morganmuseum.org/
SIMPLY MORGAN -
The Journal of the Traditional Morgan Horse
simplymorgan.com/
THE INTERNATIONAL MORGAN CONNECTION -
Breed Publication
www.morganconnection.net/
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT MORGAN HORSE FARM ctr.uvm.edu/cals/farms/Mhfarm.htm
MORGAN HORSE FARMS -
A statewide and international listing of Morgan farm links
morganhorse.com/
MERRIEHILL FARM, INC.
merriehillfarm.com
STONE PINE MORGANS, COLORADO
stonepine.com/
SALLY ANNE LYLE - Equine Artist
sallylyle.com/
BOSTON MORGAN FARM
bostonmorgans.com
DESTRIER MORGANS
destriermorgans.com
RUM BROOK FARM
rumbrookfarm.com
Morgan T-shirt offer
The Morgan Patriot t-shirt is a specialty item offered by the American Morgan Horse Association and is available in their Gift Catalog as well as online and by telephone.
A percentage of each shirt sold is donated to an animal welfare institution. Buy your shirt today and let your American pride show!
Item #: 911S, 911M, 911L, 911X, 911XX
Member - $18.95
Non-Member - $21.95
Order on-line 24 hours a days
or call (802) 985-4944, M-F, 8am - 5pm EST.
Click here for the online order form
and Finally....THANK YOU!
A very special thanks to the people who helped make this Morgan horse feature very special.
Lisa Petersen of the American Morgan Horse Association who granted permission for use of material from their website and helped identify a few mystery photos, Marilyn Esteb of Stone Pine Morgans, Paulette Bodner of Merriehill Morgans, Inc., Stuart Vesty, photographer, for the use of his exceptional photos, Sally Anne Lyle for her permission to use her wonderful painting, "America's First", (which was the initial inspiration for producing this feature), and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Crawford of Boston Morgan Farm and Meg Preston of Rum Brook Farm for their gracious permission to use the photographs of their champion Morgan stallions.
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