Morgan Horse: Breed Profile

The congenial and versatile Morgan horse is among the most popular horse breeds. Known as "the horse that chooses you," it's an exceptionally cooperative breed with an eagerness to please its humans. Adaptable to virtually any situation and use, the Morgan is generally easy to keep. Equestrians of all levels, including children, are typically able to handle a Morgan horse.

Morgan Horse History and Origins

The Morgan horse was one of the first horse breeds to be developed in the United States. The founding stallion of the breed was a horse named Figure, owned by Vermont schoolteacher Justin Morgan in the late 1700s. No one knows for certain what Figure’s pedigree was, but it's generally accepted that it was the offspring of horses with Arabian, thoroughbred, and perhaps Welsh cob or Friesian bloodlines.

Figure was a compact horse, standing at only around 14 hands (56 inches) tall. But the stallion developed a reputation for his athleticism and pleasant disposition. As people of New England heard of Figure’s ability to out-pull and out-distance many other horses, it became a desirable stallion for breeding.

Figure passed his traits to his offspring, and the breed eventually was named after his owner. Over time, the Morgan became the ultimate all-purpose horse, equally at home in harness, under saddle, on the race track, or at work in fields. It also contributed to the bloodlines of other horse breeds, including the Canadian, saddlebred, Tennessee walking horse, American Standardbred, and American quarter horse.

The American Morgan Horse Association was established in 1909 to serve as a breed registry. 

Morgan Horse Size

Smaller than many other full-size horse breeds, Morgan horses average from 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches) tall. There is no strict standard regarding size, so horses may be shorter or taller. Morgans tend to weigh between 900 and 1,000 pounds.

Breeding and Uses

As seen with the stallion Figure, the Morgan horse was bred for its athletic prowess, versatility, and cooperative nature. Since its beginning, the Morgan has been an all-purpose horse with a long