16 Forgotten Lane, Bethany Ontario, L0A 1A0
(705)277-9222Res. (705)277-9159 Barn (705)277-9242
The Morgan breed origintated inb West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1789 with the birth of a bay colt named Figure. At one year of age, Figure was given to a Randolph, Vermont, schoolmaster named Justin Morgan in partial payment of a debt. Figure was a stylish bay horse of many talents. He became widely known for his ability to pull stumps and logs while clearing the land for the new settlers. In addition, he won races and pulling contests, was a favored parade mount at militia training, and was used as a saddle and driving horse. His strength, endurance, and easy-keeping qualities served him well on the Vermont frontier. Among horsemen he became widely respected for his prepotency (Ability to pass his own looks and qualities on to succeeding generations).
Figure was said to be sired by True Briton, a horse widely respected for his excellance and known for siring quality horses. He was said to have been " Of the best english blood." Whether it was Thoroughbred blood, blood of another breed (such as the welsh cob), or a combination of types remains open to debate. Figure's dam was a mare bred and owned by Justin Morgan ( having been sired by a stallion who stood at stud in 1793) and it described as being of the " Wildair breed." As was the custom of the day, Figure became known as the Justin Morgan horse.
After the death of Justin Morgan, Figured passed into other hands and spent the balance of his life in Vermont and the Connecticut River Valley of western New Hampshire. He died in 1821 at 32 years of age after sustaining a kick injury from another horse. He left a legacy of sons and daughters who were used by farmers to develop a type of horse well suited to the hilly topograpy of Northern New England.