Morgan

The Morgan breed began with a horse named "Justin Morgan".  He was considered unremarkable as a colt, yet later became the father of a breed of horses that were recognized for their dependability and high quality.

As a young horse, Morgan worked long hours on a farm and in the fields and roads throughout Vermont.  The horse was about 14 hands tall, making him smaller than most colonial workhorses, and smaller than the race horses- yet his performance was better than both types of horses!  He was famed for his work habits and also for his carrying of former President James Monroe during a parade.

Throughout 30 years, the Morgan horse worked long and hard, and remained sound of eye and limb.  He had a gentle disposition, showy gaits and was incredibly fast.                                                                   

Morgan was also a great breeding horse.  Mares were brought in to breed with the famous stallion, and regardless of the type of horse that was bred with Morgan, the offspring would look like Morgan and have the same abilities as Morgan.  This horse basically founded an entire breed of his own kind.  All Morgan horses of today can be traced back to Justin Morgan.

Some of the newly bred Morgans lived and earned their keep helping farmers, but others were sent to New York and Boston to become smart roadsters.  A great-grandson of Justin Morgan became the World's Fastest Trotting Stallion (Ethan Allen 50) in the 1800's.

Modern day Morgan horses are still very similar to the original Justin Morgan.  The average size is between 14 and 15 hands, the coats are mostly chesnut, bay or brown in color- although there have been a few grays, black,buckskin and palomino to appear through the breed.  They have unsurpassed courage, substance, and disposition.  Now, Morgan owners are found all over the globe.