Not many horse lovers have escaped childhood without reading Marguerite Henry’s non-fiction book about Figure, the very first Morgan horse, owned by school teacher Justin Morgan in West Springfield, Mass., in 1789. This gentle little stallion was given to the school teacher for payment of a debt. Figure could beat any horse around in every kind of race imaginable.
His lineage is unknown, but there are speculations that he had Dutch Friesian, Arabian and Thoroughbred breeding. One of the remarkable things about the stallion was his ability to pass on his features to his progeny, which fixed the type for generations. Morgans were favored by colonials as carriage horses, plow horses and Pony Express mounts.
Today, the Morgan excels in western and English disciplines as well as competitive trail riding and driving.
This breed is a refined, yet strong and muscular horse with an arched, elegant neck. Its high-stepping movement makes it a natural for saddle seat and driving classes.
At Morgan breed shows, horses are shown in several different saddle seat divisions (Classic Pleasure, English Pleasure, and Park) along with hunter and western pleasure, pleasure driving, dressage, reining, and more. The breed excels in combined driving and western dressage.
This breed is a popular children’s horses, as well, due to their sensible nature and manageable size.
Traditional colors are bay, black and chestnut. Modern Morgans can be any color, including palomino and buckskin. Pintos are permitted, but are very rare in the breed.
The Morgan stands 14.1 to 15.2 hands high.
Further Reading:
Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.
Like many draft breeds, the Percheron was used on farms across Europe and America. Today,…
Maybe it’s the flowing leg feathers, the gentle personality, or maybe it’s the height—18 hands?…
You may not have heard of the Mangalarga Marchador, but if you are looking for…
A little piece of Austrian gold, the Haflinger breed is a small horse whose hearty…
Stamford, Conn. — Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, on November 18 highlighted its nearly two-decade partnership…
Tucked into the forests of northern Wisconsin is a family-owned and operated homestead known as Haven Pines. Run by Erin…
It’s holiday shopping season and I’ve spent the last few months searching for unique or useful equestrian gifts. I’m so…
Timothy, orchard grass, alfalfa, fescue, clover—so many hay types! What’s the right type of hay to choose in your particular…
As horse owners, you know it’s time for that stinky, white crumbly grossness that comes with thrush - and even…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…