MORGAN – TRADITIONAL

(Partially based on “What is the Morgan Horse” by Ina Ish)

The Morgan horse is unique in that it descends from a single stallion that was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789. Originally called Figure, the horse was later called Justin Morgan after his owner of the same name. Figure was said to be descended from Imported Thoroughbred stock on his sire’s side, but little is known of his dam’s side. A DNA study at the University of Guelph shows that Morgans are genetically closely related to the Canadian horse breed. Figure as an adult breeding stallion, sired three sons – Sherman, Woodbury, and Bulrush – who rose to prominence throughout New England.

For quite some time in New England the families of the three sons were not intermingled but were bred very much within each separate son’s line. That changed over time and the three families were bred to each other to create what we now call the Lippitt, Lambert, Government, and Working Western Families.

As the foremost trotting horses of their day, the Morgan was the foundation breed for the Quarter Horse, Saddlebred, Tennessee Walker, and the Standardbred. Morgan blood spread all over the country: they went west with the covered wagons and the US Cavalry, were the Pony Express horses, and later the cow horses of the western ranches. The United States Government bred the Morgan Horse in Vermont and instituted a Remount Program, assigning various stallions to ranches and Indian Tribes throughout the country to improve the stock that existed on those ranches and reservations.

As the automobile grew in prominence, the need for driving horses diminished and the US Government Morgan Farm in Vermont, under the auspices of the USDA, introduced mares who had Morgan blood but were not pure Morgan to their pure Morgan herd. This was done to create a new niche for the breed by creating a taller animal that would be marketable as a riding horse as well as a driving horse, and that might suit the needs of the public better as the heyday of the trotting races was declining. Morgans that had been taken to the Western parts of the country became the backbone of the cattle ranching industry there.

This began the diversification of the Morgan horse into what we now call the “Foundation” (Traditional) and the “Non-Foundation” Morgan. The Foundation Morgans are those with little or no non-Morgan blood; the Non-Foundation Morgans have a much higher amount of non-Morgan blood. The niche of the Non-Foundation Morgans is the Horse Show world; the Foundation Morgans have remained, for the most part, the Working horse it was developed to be. Within the Foundation Morgan group, the significant bloodlines are Brunk, Lambert, Lippitt, Old Government, and Working Western.

Morgans usually stand between 14.1-15.2 hands, but because there is no specific size standard, some may be as much as a hand taller or shorter. They can weigh between 900-1,000 lbs. They should have a broad forehead, with large eyes and a short face that is slightly dished or straight. Ears are short and are set wide apart. Their neck is slightly arched, and it is more delicate on a mare than on a stallion. Their body should be strong and compact and well-muscled with a short back. They tend to hold their heads and tails higher than some other breeds. They have strong leg bones, and their hardy hooves often do not need shoes. They are usually bay, chestnut, or black to gray, but are also found in palomino, cremello, buckskin, dun, and multicolored splash-like pinto (though not tobiano). 

They are generally curious, bold, and fearless, but they are also a gentle breed whose even temperament and willingness to work with their humans make them a good choice for both beginning and experienced riders. Morgans are often described as unflappable, learn quickly, and seem to enjoy learning. In fact, they don’t seem to lose the ability to learn as they age. They also have excellent retention and can pick up training where it was left off months earlier. 

They are easy keepers, doing well on grass, hay, and grains, but owners must be careful not to overfeed them as they can be prone to obesity. 

Today’s Foundation Morgan is to be found all over the country, working cattle out west, in the Sport Horse area of competition, in the family back yard, out on the trail, and competing in Driving competitions where they are still considered the ultimate driving breed. 

Did you know:
The Livestock Conservancy is America’s leading organization working to save over 190 heritage breeds from extinction. We rely on the support of our members, grants, and donations from the public to raise the $1 million needed each year to maintain our conservation work with rare breeds of farm animals. Click here to learn how you can help.