The Morgan horse is known as America’s first breed, or the first breed developed in the United States.  The name comes from the man, Justin Morgan that owned the horse that started it all whose name was actually Figure.  Figure was a tough little stallion in the New England area in the early 1800’s who had a reputation for doing feats of strength and stamina that far exceeded what was expected by his size.  He was also prepotent, meaning his offspring were stamped with his characteristics and near perfect copies of him, a characteristic passed on down the line to his sons which gave rise to the consistency that started the breed. 

Many people believe that the Arabian horse and thoroughbreds are in the original blood of the Morgan, but there is far more evidence that it is more the French-Canadian horse that is the base of the Morgan horse which share many characteristics and were far more prolific in the part of the country where the Morgan originated.

Morgans are also known as the most versatile breed.  They have been driving or carriage horses pulling a wide variety of wagons and even artillery caissons for the military.  They were also used as mounts for the cavalry units and there were famous ones such as Stonewall Jackson’s horse in the Confederate Army which he rode until he was killed by friendly fire.  Letha and I have been to Fort Robinson Nebraska several times which was a remount station for the U.S. Army and where many Morgans were bred by the government for cavalry mounts.  Fort Robinson is now a Nebraska state park rich with history and an outstanding place to ride on its 22,000 acres.

Another interesting and not as well known aspect of the Morgan horse is their prominent place in the development of gaited horse breeds in America.  Morgans have gaited from the beginning and are part of the foundation of several gaited breeds in the United States including the Tennessee Walking Horse the foundation mare of which was a Morgan.  Today it is estimated that about 10% of Morgans are gaited to some degree and they are becoming more popular as the demand for the smooth ride of a gaited horse is being re-discovered in the already otherwise exceptional Morgan horse.

Morgans are also known for their good minds and better than the average horse’s intelligence.  They have the stamina that rivals the Arabian horse in endurance circles and have been very competitive in endurance races.  Many ranchers use Morgans in lieu of quarter horses to work cattle and they are competitive as reining horses too.  They are being used as dressage horses and sport horses as well.  The Morgan horse Is being imported in significant numbers to European countries such as Sweden and even to Arabian countries such as Dubai.

All in all, the Morgan horse is a special horse that does many things well and is without question one of the most versatile horses in the world.  If you haven’t seen or ridden a Morgan, you’ve been missing out!