A glimpse at Morgan history. (The horse barn).

I would like to offer my appreciation for the dedication Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have to preserving the Old Style Morgan horse (Sept/Oct 2001).

The Morgan horse is America's oldest recognized breed of horse with lines tracing all the way back to colonial times. The Morgan is unique as all Morgans can be traced back to only one foundation sire owned by Justin Morgan, named Figure. Figure was a small stallion given to Justin in exchange for a debt that was owed. Figure was only about 14 hands high, but he was stylish and became known for his incredible strength, endurance and versatility. He could out-pull draft horses many times his size and outtrot some of the longest-legged racehorses of his day. He passed these qualities on to his offspring and soon became one of the greatest breeding sires of all time. Called the "Justin Morgan" horse after his owner, which was the custom, all Morgan horses registered today trace back to him.

Today there are three distinct families of Morgan horses. The modern show horse described by Mr. Phillips goes back to a family of Morgans called Government Morgans. During the days of the U.S. Cavalry, the government started a breeding program using predominately Morgan horses. They bred Morgans with American Saddle horses and Thoroughbred blood. This produced the same typiness as the original, more drafty Morgans, but had the size and endurance to carry men and heavy equipment into battle. Many of these government Morgans were also leased to farmers, while others were shipped out west and used to establish other breeds of American horses. The American Standardbred, the Tennessee Walking Horse, and the American Quarter Horse are all examples of Morgan influence.

Brunk Morgans are another family of Morgan horse bred in the midwest using established government stock. Joseph Brunk was trying to develop a style of Morgan that would keep the Morgan as original as possible. He bred the flashy show ring Morgans of government stock to his own registered foundation Morgans. His Morgans became uniform and distinct in appearance. Brunk Morgans produced good size and gave the Morgan its long, level hindquarters. Some of the Brunk Morgans were sent out west to be used to produce ranch horses that were compact, heavily boned and well muscled.

The last and oldest family of Morgan is the Lippit Morgan. This family of Morgans was bred by Robert Lippit Knight. These Morgans kept their old-time look due to carefully concentrating blood lines to preserve the Justin Morgan type. Careful line-breeding has resulted in a reduction of genetic variance that can be passed down through the generations. This has resulted in a family of Morgans that are considered "pure."

The AMHA recognizes and commends Lippit breeders providing their stock is "carefully selected for soundness, disposition, and true Morgan characteristics, not just registration papers alone. Its success or failure depends upon the ethics, knowledge and judgment of the proprietors."

The Lippit Morgans, although not as common as the government or Brunk Morgans, are still prized by many for being the ideal family horse. Lippits are small Morgans, between 14-15 hands high, known for their typey quality, even temperament, soundness and versatility. They are flashy enough to show at the county fair, quiet enough to endure the trail, and still drafty enough to plow the field. Our little American Lippit Morgan dominates the world of combined driving and is a favorite at the USET world driving championships.

I would like to advise anyone interested in breeding or owning Morgans to contact the American Morgan Horse Association, PO Box 960, Shelburn, VT 05482 for more information on the history of the Morgan Horse. The Museum of the Morgan Horse (PO Box 519, Shelburn, VT 05482) will be glad to help.

I would like to give the Hayes my thanks and wish them great success in helping to preserve our Lippit Morgans, part of the oldest recognized horse registry in America.