Breed Characteristics

Morgans are noted for their small ears set above a broad forehead with large, kind eyes, tapered muzzles, and expressive nostrils; an arched neck set on a well angled shoulder; broad chest and short back; deep, compact bodies set on legs with flat, dense bone; round croup; and round, hard hooves. Their proud bearing gives them a distinctive beauty that catches the eye of all.

The Morgan horse is free moving and calm under western tack or elegant and aristocratic ridden in English style. The Morgan’s soundness, power, agility, and stamina make it the choice of many driving enthusiasts. Reliable, loyal, and tireless, a Morgan becomes one with people of all ages and walks of life, sharing the mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.

Breed History

Justin Morgan was a teacher, composer, businessman and horseman who moved to Randolph, Vermont from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1788. He acquired a bay colt, born in 1789 and named him Figure. This colt was to become the founding sire of the Morgan breed and America’s first horse breed.

Figure impressed many a pioneer farmer and settler with his compact muscular body and stylish way of moving. His ability to outwalk, outtrot, outrun and outpull other horses was legendary. He died in 1821 from an untreated kick received from another horse leaving his three most famous sons Sherman, Bulrush and Woodbury to carry on his legacy.

The offspring of Justin Morgan’s sons and daughters grew along with the young nation building itself upon hard work and determination. Morgans worked along side their owners clearing fields and forests. When the week's work was done, they provided transportation to Saturday market and Sunday meeting. In addition, they pulled stagecoaches throughout New England.

In the 1840s several breeders in Vermont and western New Hampshire began efforts to concentrate the Morgan lines. By locating second, third, and fourth generation descendants of the original Morgan horse, they established the foundations of the breed. By the mid-1850s Morgans were selling for high prices and were widely distributed across the United States.

During the Civil War, Morgans served as cavalry mounts and artillery horses. A cavalryman was only as good as his horse and the Morgan is mentioned in many sources as a highly desired horse during the Civil War. The First Vermont Cavalry, mounted entirely on Morgans, gained a wide spread reputation as a fighting unit. Of their more than 1200 horses, only 200 survived the war.

Morgans are noted for their small ears set above a broad forehead with large, kind eyes, tapered muzzle and expressive nostrils, an arched neck set on a well angled shoulder, broad chest, short back; deep, compact bodies set on legs with flat, dense bone; round croup and round, hard hooves. Their proud bearing gives them a distinctive beauty that catches the eye of all.

The stamina and spirit of the Morgan, combined with its build and way of traveling, contributed greatly to the formation of other American breeds. These breeds include the Standardbred, Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and American Saddle Horse.

The Morgan Horse of Today

Today, Morgans can be found in all 50 states and in more than 20 foreign countries. Individuals generally range from 14.1 to 15.2 hands, with exceptions under and over. Colors allowed within the breed include bay, black, brown, chestnut, gray, palomino, creme, dun and buckskin. Since its establishment, the American Morgan Horse Registry has listed more than 179,000 Morgans.

The Morgan has remained a stylish mount with conformation that lends itself well to a vast range of disciplines and its versatility is widely recognized. The breed's soundness, power, agility and stamina make it the choice of many driving enthusiasts. Morgans comprise a large number of entries at Combined Driving and Carriage events, and were the first American breed to represent the United States in World Pairs Driving competition.

Morgans also excel in many other disciplines, including Park Saddle and Harness, English and Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving, Western, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing, Dressage, Reining, Cutting, Endurance and Competitive Trail. They are gentle enough for lessons, 4-H and Pony Club involvement and due to their steady, comfortable gaits are in great demand as therapeutic riding horses. Morgans are equally know for their loving, kind dispositions.