Morgan Horse
A Morgan horse
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 first 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. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ...

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, smoky cream, smoky black, silver dapple, sabino, frame and splash overo, dun, and buckskin. ^[3] Bay is a color of the hair coats of horses, characterized by a body color of dark red (known as blood bay) to deep brown, with black points (mane, tail, lower legs, and sometimes the muzzle and tip of the ears). ... Friesian horses are one of the best-known breeds of black-colored horse Black is a relatively uncommon coat color in horses, though not so unusual as to be considered rare. ... Chestnuts. ... Gray is a coat color of horses, consisting of black skin, a white to dark gray coat, and a mane the same color or darker than the body coat. ... Palomino is a coat color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white or flaxen mane and tail. ... A red roan horse Roan is a type of coat color in horses (and, occasionally, in other animals, such as dogs and cattle) that is a mixture of white hairs with a base coat of another color. ... Cremello is a color of horse consisting of a cream-colored body with a cream mane and tail. ... Perlino is a color in horses created by a dilution gene, also known as the creme gene acting on an underlying Bay coat color. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... This Clydesdale horse has classic Sabino belly spots, white above its hocks, a chin spot and wide white facial markings. ... Overo is the name of a coloration pattern in American Paint Horses in which the horses head is bald or nealy bald. ... Dun is a yellow-brown color, sometimes seen in the hair coats of horses, characterized by a body color ranging from sandy yellow to reddish-brown. ... Buckskin is a color of horses; it also refers to other things that are the color of a buckskin horse, such as the color of some breeds of dogs. ...

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]

Breed history

Morgan mare and foal

Morgans trace back to a single foundation sire, a horse named Figure ^[5]. The stallion was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789. There is far less mystery about Figure's ancestry than is popularly supposed. The small, dark colt is now believed to have been sired by an English Thoroughbred stallion named "True Briton", also known as "Beautiful Bay" and "Traveller," who was foaled in 1768. Figure's dam was of "Wild-Air" breeding, sired by Diamond, foaled in 1784 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The dam was, in fact, bred by Justin Morgan, for whom the breed is named. 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. Image File history File links Frostyconnorblkbackground. ... Image File history File links Frostyconnorblkbackground. ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ... A stallion. ... 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 13 year old Peruvian Paso mare A broodmare and foal In English, a mare (an old Germanic word) is a female horse; the word is also an etymological root of marshal (originally marescalcus horse servant). Mares are considered easier to handle than males, which are called stallions or after castration... 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: City of Homes Location in Massachusetts Coordinates: Country United States State Massachusetts County Hampden County Settled 1636 Incorporated 1636 Government  - Type Mayor-council city  - Mayor Charles Ryan (D) Area  - City  33. ...

In 1792, Figure was advertised for stud before he was given as a payment for a debt to Justin Morgan (1747-1798), a singing teacher and one-time Randolph, Vermont Town Clerk. Justin Morgan owned Figure from 1792-1795, advertising him for stud in Lebanon, New Hampshire and Randolph, Vermont (1793), Randolph and Royalton, Vermont (1794), and Williston and Hinesburg, VT (1795). Figure was then lent out to Robert Evans in the fall of 1795 to clear land for a Mr. Fisk at a rate of $15.00 a year. 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Justin Morgan (1747 - 1798) was a U.S. horse breeder and composer. ... Randolph is a town located in Orange County, Vermont. ... 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Justin Morgan later traded the horse for land in Moretown, Vermont, to a Samuel Allen, who then sold the stallion later that year to William Rice of Woodstock, VT.

In 1796, Figure raced in a Sweepstakes in Brookfield, VT, beating New York horses to win $50. That year, he was advertised at stud by Johnathan Shepard of Montpelier, Vermont, who also raced him in several match races in which he did well. Figure became known as the "Justin Morgan horse." Year 1796 (MDCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Figure was traded again in 1797, along with a blacksmith shop, to James Hawkins. It is not known what became of him until 1801, when he was in the possession of Robert Evans of Randolph, Vermont. Evans owned the horse until 1804, using the stallion for logging, racing, and breeding, until he fell into debt to Colonel John Goss. Goss collected the horse as part of the debt, and used him to review troops and also entered him in a pulling bee, which the little horse won. He later traded Figure for a mare owned by his brother, David Goss, in 1805. 1797 (MDCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 11-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Union Jack, flag of the newly formed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

David Goss owned Figure from 1805-1811, where he worked on the farm for 10 months, and was used for breeding for two months each year. He was sold in 1811 to Philip Goss for the breeding season. Philip Goss then sold Figure to Jacob Sanderson, who sold him to Jacob Langmeade. Langmeade used the horse to haul freight, and is thought to have abused the aging stallion.

Langmeade sold Figure to Joel Goss and Joseph Rogers at the end of 1811. Figure stood at stud for several years, before he was sold to Samuel Stone in 1817. Stone exhibited the stallion in the Randolph fair. Figure was used as a parade mount by President James Monroe later that year. 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1819, Figure was sold to his final owner, Levi Bean of Chelsea, Vermont. Toward the end of his life, Figure was put out to pasture without shelter to fend for himself. He died in 1821 from an injury to the flank, caused by a kick, at the age of 32. Figure is now buried in Tunbridge, Vermont. The coronation banquet for George IV 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Tunbridge, Vermont Tunbridge is a town located in Orange County, Vermont. ...

An artist and author, Jeanne Mellin, wrote the modern definitive work on Morgan horses, The Complete Morgan Horse, which includes an extensive history.

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. Misty of Chicoteague was a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947 Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. ... The Walt Disney Studios refers to several different entities and locations associated with The Walt Disney Company: The Walt Disney Studios is one of the media empires four main operating units. ...

Continuing the Breed

A young Morgan, between 1 and 2 years old, showing typical breed type

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. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... U.S. Army Cavalry Sergeant, 1866 Cavalry was a branch of army service in a process of transition during the American Civil War. ... Philip Sheridan Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888), a military man and one of the great generals in the American Civil War. ... For other uses of Stonewall Jackson, see Stonewall Jackson (disambiguation). ... The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also called Custers Last Stand, was an engagement between a Lakota-Cheyenne combined force and the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army that took place on June 25, 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in the eastern Montana Territory. ... Comanche Comanche was a mixed Mustang Morgan horse who survived General George Armstrong Custers detachment of the US 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. ...

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, and the American Saddlebred. Nearly 90% of Saddlebred horses today have Morgan blood. Standardbred harness racing horses are so called because in the early years of the Trotting Registry, the standardbred stud book established in the United States in 1879 by the National Association of Trotting Horse Breeders, only horses who could race a mile in a standard time or better, or whose... The Tennessee Walker or Tennessee Walking Horse is a gentle and comfortable riding horse. ... A palomino Quarter Horse shown at halter. ... The American Saddlebred, formerly known as the American Saddle Horse, is a breed of horse that was developed in Kentucky by plantation owners. ...

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 competetors to compete in Okalhoma 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, 4H shows, and other events. A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. ...

At class A breed shows, Morgans compete In Hand, English Pleasure, Park, Western pleasure, Carriage Driving, Pleasure Driving, Hunt Seat, Trail, Roadster, Parade, Reining, and Dressage. In these under saddle classes, both performance and conformation are judged. The exceptions to this are the trail classes and in hand classes, which give consideration to only performance and conformation, respectively. A horse being shown at halter Halter is a term used to describe a type of horse show class where horses are shown in hand, meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. ... English pleasure is a class seen at horse shows, ridden in either hunt seat or, more often seen in the United States, saddle seat tack. ... Western Pleasure is an equestrian show event that tests a the suitability of the horse for appropriate gait cadence and speed, along with suitable disposition traits. ... Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refers to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. ... Reining is a Western horseback riding competition. ... Insert non-formatted text here An upper-level dressage competitor performing an extended trot Dressage (a French term meaning training) is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. ... See Equine conformation ... A horse being shown at halter Halter is a term used to describe a type of horse show class where horses are shown in hand, meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. ...

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. Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. ... The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ... Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... Insert non-formatted text here An upper-level dressage competitor performing an extended trot Dressage (a French term meaning training) is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. ... Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ... Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. ...

State Symbols

In 1961, the Morgan horse was named the official state animal of Vermont.^[7] Official language(s) None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area  Ranked 45th  - Total 9,620 sq mi (24,923 km²)  - Width 80 miles (130 km)  - Length 160 miles (260 km)  - % water 3. ...

In 1970, the Morgan horse was named the official state horse of Massachusetts.^[8] Official language(s) English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Area  Ranked 44th  - Total 10,555 sq mi (27,360 km²)  - Width 183 miles (295 km)  - Length 113 miles (182 km)  - % water 13. ...

References

1. ^ Morgan Horse FAQs
2. ^ ^{a b} Judging Standards
3. ^ [http://www.morganhorse.com/pdf/ColorMarkingsGuidelines.pdf
4. ^ [http://www.bulldancers.com/morganpony/
5. ^ Pedigree of Figure
6. ^ [Pedigree of Reinzi
7. ^ Statutes of the State of Vermont
8. ^ Statutes of the State of Vermont

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
• Morgan stallion information
• 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