The Morgan Horse
British Morgan Horse Society Founded 1975
The Morgan Horse
Justin Morgan was a living legend.
In the manner of so many heroes, he began as an unremarkable colt and became the father of an entire breed of horses recognized for quality and dependability.
Born in 1789, Justin Morgan started life as a small, rough-coated colt known as Figure. In 1791, he left his birthplace in Springfield, Massachusetts with his new owner, the soft-spoken schoolteacher Justin Morgan, by whose name the stallion eventually became known. Although his breeding was unknown (thought to be of Welsh Cob, Thoroughbred, or Arabian breeding), the quality of Justin Morgan's ancestry showed in his straight clean legs, deep muscling over his quarters and shoulders, and fine, intelligent head with large expressive eyes and short, pricked ears. Add to these the quality of his movement, a thick but silky mane and tail, and a clean-cut throatlatch, and you have the conformation of the ideal light horse.
Today Morgans are loved and revered as dynamite performers in shows across the World, and as loyal, sensible mounts on hacks and bridleways; they are treasured in therapeutic riding programs for their intelligence, soundness, and gentleness; they are winning awards in driving, dressage, western, eventing and endurance competitions, against horses bred specifically for these spheres.
“The Morgan - A Horse for all Reasons”
The Morgan Horse is descended from a 14hh bay stallion foaled in Vermont, in 1789 who came into the ownership of an impoverished New England schoolteacher, Mr Justin Morgan, as part payment for a bad debt. Although Justin Morgan’s colt was of unknown breeding (various theories abound as to his parentage), his prepotency was evident, ensuring that his offspring resembled him closely regardless of the types of mares he was bred to. The Morgan horses of today still retain the characteristics and attributes for which their forefather was renowned. There are more than 600 registered pure-bred Morgans in UK and their popularity has spread into Europe. There is also a growing registry for part-bred Morgans, Anglo Morgans and Morabs (Morgan x Arab). Pure bred heights vary from 14hh to 16hh, though part breds can be smaller and up to 16.3, depending on the cross. Pure bred Morgans can be any colour except grey, coloured or spotted. The most common colours are chestnut, bay, black and brown although there are individual bloodlines which produce dilute colours such as buckskin and palomino.
Many Morgan owners have been introduced to the breed at the shows or displays which are held throughout the country each year. Here you will see them shown in traditional American saddleseat attire; in hand, ridden and driven, with riders wearing elegant saddle suits and bowler or derby hats. There are two ‘divisions’ of Morgan horse – park and pleasure. Park horses have a more extravagant and flamboyant action, whereas, with pleasure horses, a less exaggerated way of going is more typical. Morgans are also shown ‘hunt seat’ with riders in show or hacking jackets, jodhpurs and long boots, and western and a number of other divisions. Morgans are shown with full manes and tails in all classes.
In addition to showing, Morgans and part breds can be seen excelling in a variety of different disciplines. Their attributes – stamina, tractability and mental acuity make them a superb all-rounder! There are Morgans who compete at national level in driving trials, private driving, riding horse, hack, western and endurance and many more who are affiliated to the Competitive Disciplines. They are an excellent all rounder, suitable for parents and children alike, being tough, well-balanced athletes which are easy on the pocket (good-doers who can live out all year!).
www.morganhorse.org.uk or email admin@morganhorse.org.uk.
All information and photos kindly supplied by the British Morgan Horse Society.
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