Morgan Horse

The Morgan Horse is probably one of the most important American breeds of horse having influenced many other breeds, most notably the Tennessee Walker, Standardbred, and Saddlebred. The Morgan horse had a quite remarkable beginning and can be traced to jus one incredible stallion. The stallion was called Figure; later renamed Justin Morgan after one of his owners. here are very few facts surviving about the origins of this amazing horse, but there are various theories. He is believed to have been sired by a Friesian stallion, or as the leading authority Anthony Dent proposes, by a Welsh Cob stallion. Justin Morgan had physical similarities to the Welsh Cob, while probably also containing some degree of both Arab and Thoroughbred.

Whatever his origins, Justin Morgan stamped all his progeny with is own characteristics, and virtually single-handedly gave rise to a new breed. He folded around 1793 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was given, as a two-year old, to a man called Justin Morgan. Figure, as the horse was first known, was a small bay colt. Justin Morgan was skeptical about the small horse but he quickly proved this remarkable talents at everything he was asked to do. In fact, throughout his career, he was  unbeaten in saddle and harness races, and in weight pulling contests. Over the next 30 years, the little bay stallion worked long, hard hours in the fields and on the roads of Vermont. Gradually, the local population began to talk about the feats of "the Justin Morgan horse". Standing just over 14 hands tall, Justin Morgan's exploits gained him fame because he was not as big as colonial workhorses nor as tall and long-legged as racehorses, yet he consistently outperformed both. There was the time he pulled a log no draft horse could budge, the day only he had the beauty, spirit and manners to carry President James Monroe on a muster-day parade ground; and the time he outran the most winning racehorse central Vermont had ever known, at least until that day. . After his owner died, he was renamed Justin Morgan and went on to leave his own distinctive mark on all his progeny which became the Morgan horse breed.

Justin Morgan also proved to be one of the greatest breeding horses of all time. As the saga of the little stallion grew, countless mares were bred to him. So prepotent were the genes of this stallion that no matter what type of mare he was bred to, be she of heavy draft or refined racing-type, his offspring inherited his image and abilities. While most breeds develop by breeding horses of similar characteristics to each other, Justin Morgan's ability to pass his characteristics to his offspring for generations to come allowed this single stallion to found an entire breed in his likeness. Today, every registered Morgan traces back to Justin Morgan through his best-known sons Bulrush, Sherman and Woodbury.

Incredibly strong with great stamina, bravery and intelligence, the Morgan horse is widely used for leisure riding all over America. They have an attractive head set onto an arched and muscular neck, the shoulders are very powerful, the chest broad, and the back wide and short. The croup is often long and rounded, with a well-set tail. They have solid, strong legs that are short in cannon, with well-made joints. The Morgan has a characteristic stance, with the front end thrust forward and the hind legs straight out behind. Any solid color is permissible, and they stand between `14.2 hh and 15.2 hh.

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