Morab

This breed developed around the early 1800s and is based on a cross between a Morgan and an Arab, rather as the breed name suggests, although it is likely that there were early influences of American Quarter Horse too.

The International Morab Registry (IMR) was not actually formed until 1992. One of the foundation sires was Golddust who foaled in 1855. Golddust was the progeny of the Morgan stallion Vermont Morgan and an Arab mare, who was the daughter of the Arab stallion Zilcaddie, Golddust was famous both as a flat-footed walker and a trotting stallion. He is reputed to have been unbeaten in the showring and at the racetrack, and famously, in 1861, beat Iron Duke for the huge sum of $10,000. Golddust was killed during the Civil War but not before he had sired 302 foals, 44 of which went on to become notable trotting horses. Today over 100 Morab horses can be traced back to Golddust.

The next major event in Morab history was not until the 1920s, and was spearheaded by William Randolph Hearst, who is credited with giving the Morab its name. Hearst had a highly acclaimed herd of Arabs which included the stallions Ghazi, Gulastra, Joon, Ksar, Sabab, and Rahas, and he used these on various Morgan Morgan mares. He also brought the Morgan stallion, Moncrest Sellman, and used him for crossbreeding with both Morab and Arab mares. Another notable Morab breeding program was run by the Swenson brothers at their Texas ranch during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Their Morabs were particularly prized as cutting horses - one famous one being the gelding Rey Boy, foaled in 1943. Recently, the Morab has enjoyed an increased popularity and make very good riding horses. They have good temperaments and are easy going, calm, and friendly.

In appearance, they have fine heads with a straight or concave profile. They are muscular through the neck which is of good length, have nicely sloping shoulders, a deep chest, a short compact back, and a muscular croup. The tail is set and carried high, and the legs are generally strong, powerful and sound. They can be any color, as long as they don not display spots, and stand between 14.1 and 15.2 hh.

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