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Home Why Morgans? About Us Our Horses Sale Barn Contact Us |
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Why Morgans?
A friend asked me what was so special about a Morgan. I am sure after I was done talking her ear off she was sorry she asked! Our love affair with Morgan horses began in childhood while reading Margurite Henry and watching the Disney classic "Justin Morgan had a horse". Years later when James and I met as teens we both laughed that we had discharged school library copies of Margurite Henry's "All about Horses" in which several of the photo's are of Morgan horses. We still have those two faded and worn books as favorites in our personal library.
As avid trail riders we both appreciated the stamina and heart of James' Morgan cross gelding, Hotshot. At the age of 21 (2006) We still take Hotshot on trail rides ranging from 2 to 20 miles. He always gives more than you ask of him and can out last and out perform most horses we encounter half his age. His beauty and longevity came from his Morgan ancestry and we hoped to find the same thing in another horse. So we began to look more into the Morgan breed. What we found only further fueled our desire to have pure Morgan horses on our farm. |
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Morgan Horses all trace their ancestry back to one foundation stud, Justin Morgan. I won't get into the debate on what type of horse he was, or who his sire was...just that he was a one of a kind, incredible little horse. Not too big, not too small, he was able to do any task he was assigned and gave it 100% each time. He could out trot, out work, and out run any horse he was put up against. He passed these qualities on to his many offspring when he was crossed with mares of various breeds. His offspring, stamped with their sire's likeness and temperament were labeled Morgan horses and a breed was begun.... |
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Justin Morgan (aka Figure) |
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The Morgan horse became known for it's intelligence, courage and collected movement. With qualities like these it wasn't long before the US Calvary took notice. In the early 1900's the US Government began a Morgan breeding program in Vermont to ensure a steady supply of well bred Morgan horses for the US Calvary. The horses bred by the government farm were on average between 15 and 16 hands. (larger than traditional Morgans, Justin himself was only 14.3) The government Morgans were put to strenuous testing to ensure they were suitable for calvary service. One such test was a 300 mile ride in which the horse was expected to finish in no more than 5 days while carrying a rider and full gear. For many years Morgan horses proudly carried the US Calvary men. |
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A monument to horses that died during the civil war |
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Some famous calvary horses of Morgan descent include the mount of Civil war Union General Phil Sheridan, Winchester. He carried the general through 19 battles and was wounded several times. He was well known for his strength and endurance in battle. When he died he was stuffed and is on currently on display in the Hall of Armed Forces History in the Smithsonian. Other famous calvary mounts that claim a Morgan heritage include Stonewall Jackson's mount, Little Sorrel and Commanche, the lone surviving calvary horse recovered by the US following the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Despite their faithful service, the Morgan horses of the US Calvary were in the end, betrayed. In 1942 the Calvary mechanized and all horses in calvary service at the time were destroyed. A few (approx. 150) of the breeding stock of the government breeding farm in Vermont were spared. These remaining animals were auctioned or given as gifts over the next few years, scattering this valuable gene pool across the United States. |
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Winchester
Stuffed horse in Smithsonian (ick) |
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With this rich legacy, it is no wonder that the descendants of these calvary horses still reflect the outstanding qualities of their ancestors. We hope to find Morgan descendants of the US Government breeding program and focus on creating fine all purpose mounts suitable for family and show. The endurance, intelligence, power and grace that these animals offer is unmatched in the equine world. Morgans are an all-american breed that have served at our sides, felt the growing pains of our Nation and proudly represented the tenacity of the American people. Our own roots are often lost in the mixing bowl that is American History, we are a blend of nationalities and heritages that created the tough, fighting attitude that is Americana. The Morgan horse is the equine equivilent of an American. The first Morgan, of unknown descent, unwilling to be surpassed, determined to out do the blue bloods and prove that he deserved his place in history. His saga mirrors that of our own forefathers, for all these reasons and more, we feel that American Morgan Horses are the breed for us! |
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