Morgan horse
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| Morgan Horse | ||
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 A Morgan horse |
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| Distinguishing features: | Compact, muscular but refined build, clean-cut head, well arched neck. | |
| Country of origin: | United States | |
| Breed standards | ||
The Morgan is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States.[1] Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility.
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[edit] Breed characteristics
The Morgan is compact and refined in build, with strong limbs, an expressive face, large eyes, well-defined withers, laid back shoulders and a well arched neck. There is officially one Breed Standard for Morgan type regardless of the discipline or bloodline of the individual horse.[2]
Registered Morgans come in a variety of colors although they are most commonly bay, black, and chestnut. Less common colors include gray, palomino, roan, cremello, perlino, dun, buckskin, and silver dapple. Also present are three of the pinto color patterns: sabino, frame overo, and splash overo. The tobiano pattern has not been noted in Morgans.[3]
The breed standard ranges from 14.1-15.2 hands (1.45 to 1.57 meters) with some individuals over and under. [2]Morgans under 14.2 are eligible for registration with the National Morgan Pony Registry and can be shown in open "Pony" competitions, even though they are technically horses, regardless of height, and are usually exhibited as such.[4]
[edit] Breed history
[edit] Justin Morgan
- See also: Figure (horse) and Justin Morgan
Over the next 30 years, Figure became known by his owner's name and proved to be a little giant. At just over 14 hands, he could out-pull draft horses, out-run thoroughbreds and out-class almost all others. All of these feats were accomplished after the horse had done a full day's work in the field.
All Morgans trace back to a single foundation sire, a stallion named Figure, who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1791 of unknown breeding. Figure, as he was then known was acquired by schoolmaster Justin Morgan. Figure had straight, clean legs, deep muscling, a fine intelligent head with large expressive eyes and short ears, a thick mane and tail and clean-cut throatlatch. .[5]. He was at one time owned by a man named Justin Morgan.He added to that a gentle disposition that made him safe enough for a child, but spirited enough for any city horseman; beauty men would recall for decades after his death and a rare courage that made those who lost bets on him lift the flagons of rum and say, "To the Little Morgan!" and drink deeply. The horse later came to be identified by the name of this particular owner, and "the Justin Morgan horse" also gave its name to the breed.
Figure is thought to have stood about 14 hh (1.42 m), and to have weighed about 950 lb (430 kg). He was known for his prepotency, passing on his distinctive looks, conformation, temperament, and athleticism. He died in 1821 at the age of 32 and is now buried in Tunbridge, Vermont.
There were many myths that sprung up surrounding Figure and Justin Morgan. The popular children's book, Justin Morgan Had A Horse by Marguerite Henry, perpetuated some misconceptions about the breeding of Figure (called "Little Bub" in the book) and his early life. A movie about the pair was also made by Walt Disney Studios, which also took liberties with the depiction of events.
[edit] Continuing the Breed
The breed's trotting ability made it a favorite for harness racing in the 1840s. Morgans were also used in the Civil War as cavalry mounts, including Sheridan's "Rienzi"[6] and Stonewall Jackson's "Little Sorrel". In the post-civil war era, Morgans were also used in the Pony Express and as mounts for the cavalry in the western United States. The only survivor of the Custer regiment from The Battle of Little Bighorn was the Morgan-Mustang mixed breed horse Comanche.
The first volume of the Morgan Horse Register was published in 1894. Since then, more than 132,000 Morgan Horses have been registered. The stud book was closed in 1948 in an effort to preserve the breed. The Morgan has also influenced several other breeds, including the Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, American Quarter Horse many people do not realize that 30 Morgan stallions are listed as foundation sires in the Quarter Horse Registry. Missouri Fox Trotter, Racking horse, and the American Saddlebred. Nearly 90% of Saddlebred horses today have Morgan blood.
The Morgan Horse has a horse show circuit for that breed only. It consists of all levels of riding and all disciplines. Wins at regional championships qualify competitors to compete in Oklahoma City at the Morgan Grand Nationals. The first national Morgan Horse competition was held in 1973 in Detroit, and is now held each October in Oklahoma City, OK. In addition to the Morgan Grand National, there are 10 regional championship shows and many other official (referred to as "Class A") shows. Morgans also compete in all-breed shows, 4-H shows, and other events.
At class A breed shows, Morgans compete In Hand, English Pleasure, Park, Western pleasure, Carriage Driving, Pleasure Driving, Hunt Seat (including hunter and jumper classes over fences), Trail, Roadster, Parade, Reining, and Dressage. In under saddle classes, performance is the primary judging criterion, though in some classes conformation may also be considered. In-hand classes only consider conformation.
The Morgan is also able to perform in the Olympic and internationally-recognized FEI disciplines, which include (show jumping, dressage, eventing), and combined driving, making the Morgan a versatile breed of horse.
[edit] State Symbols
In 1961, the Morgan horse was named the official state animal of Vermont.[7] In 1970, the Morgan horse was named the official state horse of Massachusetts.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Mellin, Jeanne. The Complete Morgan Horse
[edit] External links
- The American Morgan Horse Association
- Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show
- Morgan Horse Association UK
- The International Morgan Connection Magazine
- Canadian Morgan Horse Association
- http://www.morganphotoarchive.com Historical photographs
- Foundation Morgan Horse Society
- FoundationMorganHorse.com
- The Lippitt Club - club dedicated to the Lippitt strain of the Morgan line
- University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm
- Rainbow Morgan Horse Association for Colorful Morgans
- Morgan Colors
- The Silver Dapple Morgans Project
- National Morgan Pony Registry
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