FIG. 155.—One of the few statues erected to the memory of a horse, Justin Morgan, progenitor of the breed bearing his name, This statue is at the United States Morgan Horse Farm, through presentation by the Morgan Horse Club of America
MORGAN Horse Record
The story of the Morgan horse is one of the most unusual in the annals of the country’s livestock industry. The breed is founded chiefly on one famous stallion; it flourished for many years; then almost became lost, and finally was reestablished. Morgan horses are of unusual interest because of their hardiness, soundness, and remarkable utility qualities.
The stallion Justin Morgan, foaled in Vermont in 1793, was the progenitor of the Morgan breed of horses. His prepotency was so great as to cause his descendants to be easily recognized. Justin Morgan was a small horse, under 15 hands, but powerful and of quick action. He is said to have excelled any horse with which he competed in walking, running, and pulling. Though this famous stallion was a remarkable individual, little is definitely known of his ancestry. After his death, in 1821, the influence of Justin Morgan on the light-horse industry of America continued with pronounced effect.
The breed flourished. In the New England States, Morgans were used almost to the exclusion of other horses until a craze for trotting speed struck the country. The new interest brought about a mixing of the best Morgan stock with trotting blood. Some writers have asserted that the Morgan added stamina to certain trotting-horse families. But the mixed breeding resulted in some cases in the loss of the Morgan’s beautiful form and other of its qualities. For many years this diluting and scattering of Morgan blood continued, and little serious thought or foresight for preserving the breed developed until about 20 years ago.
In an effort to preserve the best specimens of the Morgan horse, several public-spirited men who knew personally its many meritorious qualities, took collective action which soon bore fruit. One of the first steps was taken by Joseph Battell, of Middlebury, Vt., who established the American Morgan Register as an authentic record of Morgan blood lines. He also gave the United States Department of Agriculture a 400-acre farm near Middlebury. In cooperation with the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station the department assembled a small band of Morgan mares as the beginning of a permanent project to conserve and perpetuate the breed.
The farm, known as the United States Morgan Horse Farm, now consists of 1,000 acres and maintains a stud of about 60 animals. One of the first steps after its establishment was that of tracing the descendants of the best Morgans sold to purchasers in other sections of the country. Stock was obtained in Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, New York, Washington, Idaho, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Illinois, as well as in the breed’s native State of Vermont. The whole effort was to get into the Government stud the best Morgan blood to be obtained anywhere in the country. Privately owned Morgan stallions also have been used liberally as a means of restablishing desired blood lines.
Prizes won at numerous fairs and expositions wherever horses from the United States Morgan Horse Farm have competed are evidence of superior specimens of the breed resulting from its reestablishment. The prizes have included two champion stallions, one reserve champion stallion, and numerous first premiums in breeding classes for both sexes. Animals shown in driving and riding classes also have won many premiums.
Morgan horses produced at the farm likewise have made creditable showings in several official endurance rides sponsored by breed associations and individuals active in horse improvement.
Morgans are now found in most of the important farming sections of the United States. They have earned a reputation for hardiness, soundness, and usefulness. As saddle horses, Morgans are noteworthy for their great intelligence and hardiness. The First Vermont Cavalry in the Civil War was mounted on Morgan horses and made a great reputation. The horses also called forth general admiration. In Sheridan’s famous ride to Winchester, made immortal in verse, his mount was a Morgan horse. After its death the animal was stuffed and is now to be seen at the National Museum in Washington.
As a breed the Morgan has a smart, alert walk, an easy trot, and a smooth, collected canter. Among cattlemen of the West and South, Morgans have acquired a reputation as desirable cow horses. They learn quickly and have the strength and courage necessary for work among cattle on the Great Plains. Morgan stallions bred to the proper type of range mares are said to produce ideal cow horses.
Department records show that Morgan horses have been sent to Japan, the Island of Guam, Porto Rico, and Central America. Reports indicate that the Morgan breed is well adapted to conditions in those countries. In the short span of 20 years the Morgan breed, which almost became extinct through diffusion of its blood, has been reestablished.
The adaptability and value of this horse is now more fully appreciated and recognized than in the past. It is no longer a breed associated with New England horse-breeding activities but is known nationally and abroad® Morgan stallions are especially valuable for improving native stock in various parts of the country owing to their remarkable prepotency and ability that adapt themselves to new environment.