Morgan horse

Origin
United States

History
The Morgan Horse is the first documented American breed and owes its existence to one phenomenal horse, the stallion Justin Morgan. The story of this little, dark bay horse begins in about 1795, when a two-year-old colt was given to Justin Morgan who was an impoverished music master, school master, or innkeeper (depending on your source) in partial payment of a debt. The colt´s date of birth is usually given as 1793, but the Morgan Horse Club accepts 1789. However, it is generally agreed that he was foaled at West Springfield, Massachusetts. Originally called Figure, the horse was only called Justin Morgan after his owner died. Thereafter, he belonged to a number of different owners. He was first hired out to one Robert Evans, who discovered that he could outrun and outhaul anything else in the area. From then on the horse was used incredibly hard in plowing, in clearing woods and in all sorts of draft. Justin Morgan competed in hauling contests of great severity throughout his life and was continually raced under saddle and harness. He was never beaten. He died when he was 32 years old.
He was much in demand as a sire. Along with his three most famous sons, Sherman, Woodbury, and Bullrush, to whom all present-day Morgan Horses are traced, Justin Morgan created what is regarded as the first American breed.
The question that cannot be answered with any certainty concerns the breeding of Justin Morgan himself. Some authorities suggest that his dam was by the imported stallion Wildair, who was a Thoroughbred and Nearco and Nasrullah, two of the greatest racehorses of the 20^th century were descended from him on the female side. Wildair belonged to the same owner as the Thoroughbred True Briton, who is often claimed as Justin Morgan´s sire. True Briton was a good racehorse.
Another faction claims his sire was a Friesian stallion in the Springfield area at that time.
A third theory claims that Justin Morgan was essentially a Welsh Cob with a touch of eather Thoroughbred or Arabian blood.
The Morgan has widely influenced American breeds, especially the Standardbred, the Saddlebred, and the Tennessee Walking Horse. Today there are a number of Morgan Horse farms in the southern states of the US and a breed society in the UK.

Description

• Head:
  beautiful of medium size; usually straight profile; the ears are pointed and set well apart.
• Conformation:
  -the shoulders slope from well-defined withers, and are built for strength rather than speed
  -the chest is broad and the action straight and free
  -the breed standard stipulates perfect, symmetrical quarters and hind legs
  -the legs are slender, but there is sufficient bone. The joints are hard and well formed, and will stand up to all work
  -when trimmed naturally, the hooves are round and medium-sized
• Average height:
  14.1 to 15.2 h.h.
• Temperament:
  the Morgan is a bold, alert horse with deep curiosity, and is very intelligent.
• Today:
  Morgans are very versatile. They are used in both ridden and harness classes, and for western and pleasure riding, as well as for driving and trail riding. It is a truly great all-around horse.