Morgan Horse

The Morgan Horse, the first documented American breed, owes its existence to one phenomenal horse of unprecedented potency - the stallion Justin Morgan. He was as remarkable a horse as any in the recorded history of the equine species, but his origins are not totally clear and are a subject of conjecture among horse experts. Morgan Horses contributed significantly to the development of both the American Saddlebred and the Standardbred .
 
JUSTIN MORGAN
The Cinderella story of the little, dark bay horse, who weighed 360 kg (8001b) and stood no more than 1.42 in (14 hh), begins in about 1795, when a two-year-old colt was given to Justin Morgan, an impoverished music master, school master, or innkeeper (depending on your source) in part payment of a debt. The colt's date of birth is usually given as 1793, but the Morgan Horse Club accepts 1789. However, it is generally agreed that the horse was foaled at West Springfield, Massachusetts. Originally called Figure, the horse was only called Justin Morgan after his owner died. Thereafter, he belonged to a number of different owners. He died in 1821, when he was 32 years old.

Figure was first rented to one Robert Evans, who discovered that he could outrun and out-haul anything else in the area. From then on the horse was used incredibly hard in the plough, at woodland clearance, and in all sorts of draught. His last owner used him to haul a muck spreader, even denying him the comfort of stabling in the harsh north-eastern winters. Justin Morgan competed in hauling contests of great severity throughout his life and was continually raced under saddle and in harness. He was never beaten.
As a result, the little horse was much in demand as a sire, invariably stamping his progeny with his special character and appearance. Together with his three most famous sons, Sherman, Woodbury, and Bullrush, to whom all present-day Morgan Horses are traced, Justin Morgan created what is regarded as the first American breed.

The present-day Morgan stands between 1.45-1.57 m (14.1-15.2 hh), larger than his illustrious forebear, and undoubtedly shows greater refinement while still retaining the
distinctive body conformation and characteristic carriage.

Breed characteristics 
Morgan is compact and refined in build, with strong limbs, an expressive face, large eyes, well-defined withers, laid back shoulder and a well arched neck. There is officially one Breed Standard for Morgan type regardless of the discipline or bloodline of the individual horse.

Morgans come in a variety of colors although they are most commonly bay, black, brown, and chestnut. Gray, palomino, cremello, perlino, smoky cream, silver dapple, sabino, frame overo, dun, and buckskin are also seen. There are two known frame overos, two known dark headed roans, and one possible splash white, as well. The breed standard ranges from 14.1-15.2 hh with some individuals over and under. This size qualifies some Morgans as ponies for the purposes of competition rules. Both children and adults enjoy competing with the smaller Morgans in pony divisions.

Breed history - Figure
Morgans trace back to one foundation sire named Figure. The stallion was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789. The small, dark colt is now believed to have been sired by the English Thoroughbred "True Briton", also known as "Beautiful Bay" and "Traveller," who had been sired in 1768. His dam was of Wild-air breeding, sired by Diamond, and was foaled in 1784 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The bay mare was, in fact, bred by Justin Morgan. Figure is thought to have stood about 14 hh, and to have weighed about 950 lbs.

In 1792, Figure was advertised for stud as a 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 an hour.

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."

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.

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.

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 popular children's book, Justin Morgan Had A Horse by Marguerite Henry, has unfortunately tended to perpetuate some misconceptions about the breeding of Figure and his early life. There is far less mystery about Figure's ancestry than is popularly supposed.

Firgure was also known for his prepotency, passing on his good looks, conformation, temperament, and athleticism.

Continuing the Breed
The breed's trotting ability made it a favorite for harness racing in the 1840s. Morgans were then used in the Civil War as cavalry mounts, including Sheridan's "Rienzi" and Stonewall Jackson's "Little Sorrel". The only survivor (from the US Army) of The Battle of Little Bighorn was the Morgan "Comanche". The breed was later used in the Pony Express and as mounts for the cavalry. 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 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.

The first national Morgan Horse competition was held in 1973, and continues to be 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 combined driving events.

At class A shows, Morgans compete in Halter, English, Western, Driving, Hunter, Trail, Carriage, Roadster, Parade, and Reining classes. In a qualifying class, performance is to be 60% of consideration in judging, and confomation to be 40%. Championship classes are judged with 50% consideration to each. The exceptions to this are the trail classes and halter classes, which give full consideration to performance and conformation, respectively.