The Morgan Horse
Justin Morgan was a living legend. In the manner of so many heroes, he began as an unremarkable colt and became the father of an entire breed of horses recognized for quality and dependability.
Born in 1789, Justin Morgan started life as a small, rough-coated colt known as Figure. In 1791, he left his birthplace in Springfield, Massachusetts with his new owner, the soft-spoken schoolteacher Justin Morgan, by whose name the stallion eventually became known. Although his breeding was unknown (thought to be of Welsh Cob, Thoroughbred, or Arabian breeding), the quality of Justin Morgan's ancestry showed in his straight clean legs, deep muscling over his quarters and shoulders, and fine, intelligent head with large expressive eyes and short, pricked ears. Add to these the quality of his movement, a thick but silky mane and tail, and a clean-cut throatlatch, and you have the conformation of the ideal light horse.
Today Morgans are loved and revered as dynamite performers in shows across the World, and as loyal, sensible mounts on hacks and bridleways; they are treasured in therapeutic riding programs for their intelligence, soundness, and gentleness; they are winning awards in driving, dressage, western, eventing and endurance competitions, against horses bred specifically for these spheres.
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A Morgan is distinctive for its stamina and vigor, personality and eagerness and strong natural way of moving.
Coat or eye color has no bearing when judging Morgan horses.