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The Morgan is thought to be the first documented horse breed in the United States. Tracing back to Figure, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility. The 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 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. Morgans trace back to one foundation sire named Figure. The stallion was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789. The small, dark colt was of unknown parentage, some believing he was sired by the English Thoroughbred "True Briton", others believing he had a Canadian Horse, Welsh Cob, Friesian, or Norfolk Trotter in his blood. As a yearling, Figure was given as a payment for a debt to Justin Morgan, a schoolteacher, singing master and one-time Randolph Town Clerk, who owned him from 1792-1795. |
