Post by Michelle on Aug 2, 2008 17:54:41 GMT -5
Breed Profile: Morgan
Physical Characteristics
Morgans generally stand from 14.1h to 15.3, but there are individuals who deviate either shorter or taller. The classic colors of Morgans are Black, Bay, Chestnut and Brown, however recently, the RL association has permitted the registration of gray, cremello, buckskin, palomino and other colors. The former accepted markings were no white above the hock, except on the face, but recently the RL association has permitted the registration of sabino and pinto Morgans. Morgans should have broad foreheads with large expressive eyes. A Morgan's neck should sit on its Shoulders at a comfortable angle with the ability to arch it slightly. It's neck should allow for comfortable head carriage, and its details should very according to sex. The Morgan's throat latch should allow a smooth transition from head to neck, and give a comfortable flexion at the poll. Morgans should have short straight backs with muscular, well developed shoulders and legs. Individuals vary due to mostly breeding.
History
In 1789, a businessman and horseman named Justin Morgan acquired a young colt named Figure. Figure was a small, gentle, muscular horse. He was very versatile in those days, and that itself was very desirable. He was strong, fast, small, and goodhearted. He out pulled the drafts, outraced the thoroughbreds and arabians, and eventually became an excellent producer. Three of his sons in particular, were noted as passing on his characteristics- Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury. He died at the age of 32, but his legacy would be carried on through his progeny. The Morgan breed continued to develop, and the RL registry was eventually set up. Since Justin Morgan, Morgans have contributed to the development of later American breeds such as The Quarter Horse, The Saddlebred, The Standardbred and The Tennessee Walking Horse. Morgans can be found in every state in America, and around the world. Today, their used for many things including show, work on farms, family and trail horses, etc.
The Breed Today
Today Morgans are known for the gentle and loving dispositions, their willingness and precision, and their sturdy composition. Owners around the nation (and the world) could rave about how their Morgans are bulletproof, hardworking, sturdy, smart, loving, gentle, talented, easily motivated, and kind. One might say going to a Morgan show is experiencing a little bit of what the Horse World has to offer: morgans compete in everything from Classic Pleasure, Carriage/Combined Driving, Driving, Dressage, Trail/Endurance, English Pleasure, Eventing, Hunter, In-Hand, Jumpers, Fine Harness, Western, Working Western, among others. It might be their amazing willingness to adapt to anything you put them up to, or their knack for catching on fast, or they're inheritance of their founding sires' versatility. While most Morgans found in the saddleseat division don't usually deviate too far (you'll occasionally find a few retired English horses in another discipline- excelling equally as well), most of the sportier Morgans are often found in an array of disciplines: Dressage, Hunter, Western, Jumpers, Carriage Driving- any one morgan might be able to excel with ease in a few of these disciplines. Their versatility makes them excellent family horses- because each member of the family can ride and show in multiple disciplines on a single horse.
Notable Horses
I know most of you who perhaps don't know Morgans very well have seen the Name Noble Flaire, so here's a brief about him.
Noble Flaire
In sim, perhaps the most notable Morgan horse..
Now on to horses that you may not have heard of
Trophy
"this horse became one of the most revered breeding stallions in the modern history of the Morgan breed."
www.morganphotoarchive.com/page132.html
*the article is great, to the point and holds very true.
His son, Trophy's Jade, is a notable producer.
His conformation is stunning replica of what a Morgan should be (IMO). Trophy blood in Morgans is definitely a plus if your looking to breed/create your own.
Tedwin Topic
Another conformation great! He has awesome bloodlines as well. His dam is a Waseeka mare (Waseeka's In Command is the great grand sire of the horse mentioned before- Noble Flaire). His sire is a Pepper stud.. Pepper horses are renown (okay maybe gloating just a bit) for their dispositions and conformations.
(Trija's Vigil Pepper my trainer's former mare was the 1974 World Champion mare, at the age of FOUR! Brown Pepper is the common horse between Tedwin Topic and this mare.)
Upwey Ben Don
When Talking about morgans its hard not to mention him, another great sire. Its safe to say that most Morgan pedigrees today have some hint of Ben Don in them. A producer of 137 foals (which is a lot when you consider its the 40s-60s [way before modern Artificial Insemination and such]). Great conformation!
www.morganphotoarchive.com/page10.html
*I'll be adding more horses-Its just late!
by: michelle
works consulted
morganhorse.com
kohlerstables.com/
www.morganphotoarchive.com/
Physical Characteristics
Morgans generally stand from 14.1h to 15.3, but there are individuals who deviate either shorter or taller. The classic colors of Morgans are Black, Bay, Chestnut and Brown, however recently, the RL association has permitted the registration of gray, cremello, buckskin, palomino and other colors. The former accepted markings were no white above the hock, except on the face, but recently the RL association has permitted the registration of sabino and pinto Morgans. Morgans should have broad foreheads with large expressive eyes. A Morgan's neck should sit on its Shoulders at a comfortable angle with the ability to arch it slightly. It's neck should allow for comfortable head carriage, and its details should very according to sex. The Morgan's throat latch should allow a smooth transition from head to neck, and give a comfortable flexion at the poll. Morgans should have short straight backs with muscular, well developed shoulders and legs. Individuals vary due to mostly breeding.
History
In 1789, a businessman and horseman named Justin Morgan acquired a young colt named Figure. Figure was a small, gentle, muscular horse. He was very versatile in those days, and that itself was very desirable. He was strong, fast, small, and goodhearted. He out pulled the drafts, outraced the thoroughbreds and arabians, and eventually became an excellent producer. Three of his sons in particular, were noted as passing on his characteristics- Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury. He died at the age of 32, but his legacy would be carried on through his progeny. The Morgan breed continued to develop, and the RL registry was eventually set up. Since Justin Morgan, Morgans have contributed to the development of later American breeds such as The Quarter Horse, The Saddlebred, The Standardbred and The Tennessee Walking Horse. Morgans can be found in every state in America, and around the world. Today, their used for many things including show, work on farms, family and trail horses, etc.
The Breed Today
Today Morgans are known for the gentle and loving dispositions, their willingness and precision, and their sturdy composition. Owners around the nation (and the world) could rave about how their Morgans are bulletproof, hardworking, sturdy, smart, loving, gentle, talented, easily motivated, and kind. One might say going to a Morgan show is experiencing a little bit of what the Horse World has to offer: morgans compete in everything from Classic Pleasure, Carriage/Combined Driving, Driving, Dressage, Trail/Endurance, English Pleasure, Eventing, Hunter, In-Hand, Jumpers, Fine Harness, Western, Working Western, among others. It might be their amazing willingness to adapt to anything you put them up to, or their knack for catching on fast, or they're inheritance of their founding sires' versatility. While most Morgans found in the saddleseat division don't usually deviate too far (you'll occasionally find a few retired English horses in another discipline- excelling equally as well), most of the sportier Morgans are often found in an array of disciplines: Dressage, Hunter, Western, Jumpers, Carriage Driving- any one morgan might be able to excel with ease in a few of these disciplines. Their versatility makes them excellent family horses- because each member of the family can ride and show in multiple disciplines on a single horse.
Notable Horses
I know most of you who perhaps don't know Morgans very well have seen the Name Noble Flaire, so here's a brief about him.
Noble Flaire
In sim, perhaps the most notable Morgan horse..
- 1986 World Champion 2 YO Park Harness
- 1988, 1989 & 1991 World Champion Park Harness
- 1989 & 1991 World Champion Stallion
- Was never shown under saddle
- Sired an estimated 200 get to date (and continues siring at Kohler Stables)
- Most of his foals make great English/Park Horses themselves- Notabley HVK Bell Flaire (I believe his first foal), and those that don't quite cut it for saddleseat usually end up very nice hunters.
Now on to horses that you may not have heard of
Trophy
"this horse became one of the most revered breeding stallions in the modern history of the Morgan breed."
www.morganphotoarchive.com/page132.html
*the article is great, to the point and holds very true.
His son, Trophy's Jade, is a notable producer.
His conformation is stunning replica of what a Morgan should be (IMO). Trophy blood in Morgans is definitely a plus if your looking to breed/create your own.
Tedwin Topic
Another conformation great! He has awesome bloodlines as well. His dam is a Waseeka mare (Waseeka's In Command is the great grand sire of the horse mentioned before- Noble Flaire). His sire is a Pepper stud.. Pepper horses are renown (okay maybe gloating just a bit) for their dispositions and conformations.
(Trija's Vigil Pepper my trainer's former mare was the 1974 World Champion mare, at the age of FOUR! Brown Pepper is the common horse between Tedwin Topic and this mare.)
Upwey Ben Don
When Talking about morgans its hard not to mention him, another great sire. Its safe to say that most Morgan pedigrees today have some hint of Ben Don in them. A producer of 137 foals (which is a lot when you consider its the 40s-60s [way before modern Artificial Insemination and such]). Great conformation!
www.morganphotoarchive.com/page10.html
*I'll be adding more horses-Its just late!
by: michelle
works consulted
morganhorse.com
kohlerstables.com/
www.morganphotoarchive.com/
