Meet the Friendly and Versatile Morgan Horse Breed (2024)

The congenial and versatile Morgan horse is among the most popular horse breeds. Known as "the horse that chooses you," they are exceptionally cooperative with an eagerness to please their humans. Adaptable to virtually any situation and use, the Morgan is generally easy to keep. These athletic horses can be used for more than just leisurely riding, as they are also talented in therapeutic riding, dressage, and even police work. Equestrians of all levels, including children, are typically able to handle a Morgan horse.

Learn more about the Morgan horse, including their history, characteristics, and care needs.

Breed Overview

Weight:900 to 1,000 pounds

Height:14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)

Body Type:Compact, muscular build; short head with wide forehead; large, expressive eyes; high head and tail carriage; thick mane and tail

Best For:Owners and riders of all levels, including children

Life Expectancy:30 years

Morgan Horse Historyand 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 he 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, he 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. They 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.

Morgan Horse Breeding and Uses

As seen with the stallion Figure, the Morgan horse was bred for athletic prowess, versatility, and a cooperative nature. Since the breed's beginning, the Morgan has been an all-purpose horse with a long resume of abilities and applications. Before industrialization changed the landscape of agriculture and transportation, the Morgan was valued as much for plowing the fields as they were for pulling the family buggy.

Morgans were used as trotting horses on the race track and cavalry mounts in wartime. They also were hitched to wagons or ridden by pioneers who were traveling to the American West.

Today, Morgans can be found competing in almost every equestrian sport. Morgan horse shows often feature sidesaddle classes, trotting races under saddle, driving classes, dressage, jumping, and more—all showcasing the outstanding versatility of the breed. In addition, these brave horses are used by mounted police officers for tasks like rescue or crowd control. A famous Morgan named Skippy rescued circus horses from a fire in 1942 while working with Cleveland Police.

Colors and Markings

Morgans come in all equine colors. They are usually dark, solid colors, such as bay, black, and chestnut. However, some breeders specialize in producing Morgans with palomino, pinto, gray, dun, roan, and another less common coloring. There is no official breed standard for this aspect of the Morgan's appearance.

Unique Characteristics of the Morgan Horse

The Morgan's strong, compact body and refined features, as well as their regal posture, are all distinctive breed traits. Proud and alert, these horses tend to carry their heads and tails higher than many other breeds. Also, this is a warmblood breed that needs shelter and protection against the elements when it’s too cold, hot, or humid.

But the quality that truly defines the Morgan is their temperament. This friendly horse is typically quite eager to please and even enjoys meeting strangers. They are also good with children. Although they can be animated and spunky, they're still very affectionate and known for their loyalty.

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Diet and Nutrition

As easy keepers, Morgans generally need less food than many other full-size horse breeds. They require a standard diet of quality grass, hay, and grains. But owners should be careful not to feed their horses too much, especially sweet foods. Morgans can easily be overfed, making them prone to obesity. Thus, it’s important to limit your horse to what they need to maintain a healthy body condition.

Common Health and Behavior Problems

Thanks to their cooperative nature, Morgans are generally easy to train and don’t have many behavioral issues. They’re also a generally healthy breed and don’t often develop problems with lameness. Occasionally, some Morgans have a genetic link to equine polysaccharide storage myopathy. This is a condition that damages muscle tissue and can cause pain, stiffness, and more.

Grooming

Standard equine grooming practices should be fine for a Morgan horse. Brush and comb your horse’s coat at least once or twice a week to remove dirt, debris, and tangles. Give extra attention to the notably thick mane and tail to prevent mats. Also, check your horse’s hooves daily for dirt, debris, infection, and injuries.

Pros of Morgan Horses

  • Friendly
  • Cooperative and trainable
  • Generally easy to maintain

Cons of Morgan Horses

  • Prone to becoming overweight if improperly fed
  • Genetic risk of polysaccharide storage myopathy
  • Risk of developing metabolic disorders

Champion and Celebrity Morgan Horses

As the foundation sire of the breed, Figure is still one of its most popular members. While Figure sired many horses, three of his sons—Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury—are especially noteworthy. All modern Morgans can trace their lineage to one of these three stallions.

Descending from Sherman was another notable stallion named Black Hawk. Born in 1833, this horse excelled in harness racing and was a foundational stallion for the Tennessee walking horse, American standardbred, and saddlebred.

Is the Morgan Horse Right for You?

Morgans are suitable as a family horse and for beginner equestrians. They’re also a great choice for anyone who wants a versatile horse that’s easy to manage.

Morgans excel in many different disciplines in harness and under saddle. They happily do what they are asked and love to socialize with people. They’re also known as easy keepers, which means they can subsist on less food than an average horse. They generally live long, healthy lives with proper care.

How to Adopt or Buy a Morgan Horse

On average, Morgans cost around $1,000 to $5,000. This price can fluctuate based on the horse’s age, health, training, and pedigree. Morgans are fairly easy to find to adopt or buy across the United States, though one of the best places to look is Vermont, where the breed was born.

It’s important to spend time with a horse before you opt to bring them home. Ask the breeder or rescue organization questions about the horse’s history, health, temperament, and training. Also, ask to see their training demonstrated, if possible.

Make sure you feel all of your questions have been adequately answered before committing. It is also highly recommended to have your veterinarian perform a pre-purchase or pre-adoption examination to confirm the horse's health and suitability for their intended use.

More Horse Breeds

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

  • Arabian
  • Thoroughbred
  • Welsh Pony and Cob

Otherwise, you can check out all of our other horse breed profiles.

FAQ

  • What is so special about a Morgan horse?

    Morgans are eager to please horses that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are good with all levels of riders, including children, and are easy to keep.

  • How much does a Morgan horse usually cost?

    Morgan horses cost $1,000 to $5,000, on average. Factors like a horse’s pedigree, health, age, and training can impact price.

  • How do you tell if a horse is a Morgan?

    Morgans are compact and muscular horses, with a wide forehead, short head, thick mane and tail, and high head and tail carriage. Their friendly disposition also makes them easy to recognize.

Meet the Friendly and Versatile Morgan Horse Breed (2024)

FAQs

Meet the Friendly and Versatile Morgan Horse Breed? ›

The Morgan horse is a versatile American horse breed known for excelling in a wide range of disciplines. First developed in the Northeastern United States in the 1800s, modern Morgans have long maintained a reputation as dependable companions and willing partners.

What are the 4 types of Morgan horses? ›

There are four widely recognized families in the Morgan breed that are briefly described below. A family is a group of horses from the same breeding program that have ancestors in common. The largest families are the Brunk, Government, Lippitt, and Western Working.

What are the disadvantages of a Morgan horse? ›

Cons of Morgan Horses
  • Prone to becoming overweight if improperly fed.
  • Genetic risk of polysaccharide storage myopathy.
  • Risk of developing metabolic disorders.
Mar 8, 2024

How much does a Morgan horse usually cost? ›

It depends on factors such as the breeding history, whether the horse is trained for a specific task and the show record. Expect to pay $1,000 to $5,000 on average. However, racing Morgans and superior bloodlines can cost $10,000+.

What is so special about a Morgan horse? ›

The Morgan breed is known for its versatility, and is used for a number of English and Western events. They have been successfully shown in many disciplines, including dressage, show jumping, Western pleasure, cutting and endurance riding. They are also used as stock horses and for pleasure riding and driving.

Are Morgan horses friendly? ›

Morgans are noted for their horse sense, and tend to be friendly, intelligent and extremely curious,” McDermand said.

What is the lifespan of a Morgan horse? ›

The average Morgan horse lifespan is between 20 and 30 years, with some even living past 30 when they're well cared for.

Are Morgans easy to train? ›

Morgans are a versatile breed known for their intelligence and friendly temperament. They're easy to train and are suitable for many disciplines, including Western and English riding.

Is a Morgan a gaited horse? ›

The Morgan breed is not an overall gaited breed. UC Davis random sampling test showed 20% Morgans carried gait gene. Gait is inherited from generation to generation.

Are Morgan horses good for first time owners? ›

The Morgan horse is an all-purpose breed suitable for riders of all levels. They have a calm temperament and are eager to please. Morgans are renowned for their versatility. They can excel in a variety of disciplines, from both English and Western pleasure riding to dressage.

What state has the most Morgan horses? ›

This breed of horse became known as the Morgan horse, named after Justin Morgan, himself. Justin Morgan died in 1798, but his name is still remembered because of his famous horse. Morgan horses are very popular in Vermont. The Morgan horse is so popular, it became the Vermont state animal in 1961.

What are the rare colors of Morgan horses? ›

On these pages you will see that there are silver dapple, roan, palomino, buckskin, dun, grulla, cremello, perlino, smoky cream, gray, flaxen, sabino, splash, and other rare colorful Morgans!

How much weight can a Morgan horse carry? ›

How much weight can a Morgan horse carry? Horses can carry 20% of their body weight, so a 1,000 lbs (454 kg) horse can carry 200 lbs (90 kg).

What genetic diseases do Morgan horses have? ›

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is the primary genetic disease identified within the Morgan breed.

How to recognize a Morgan horse? ›

The Morgan is a small but sturdy horse that typically ranges in height from 14.1 to 15.2 hands. These horses have elegant features, yet with muscular builds developed for beauty and practicality. An ideal Morgan has an expressive head with a broad forehead, prominent eyes, and a straight or slightly dished face.

Can a Morgan horse be a palomino? ›

Horses from the cream family make up the largest percentage of dilute Morgans in the breed. If a horse inherits one copy of the cream gene, any red hair on its body will be diluted, and it becomes a buckskin, palomino, or smoky black, depending on its base color.

Who is the most famous Morgan horse? ›

In the Civil War, the famed Vermont Cavalry was mounted on Morgan horses. Not only did the Union's General Sheridan ride his Morgan Rienzi, Stonewall Jackson rode his Morgan, 'Little Sorrel,' for the Confederacy as well!

How do I identify my Morgan horse? ›

The body should be compact with a short back, close coupling, broad loins, deep flank, well-sprung ribs, croup long and well muscled with tail attached high, carried gracefully and straight. A weak, low, or long back is a severe fault. The Morgan horse should not be higher at the croup than at the withers.

What are the Morgan horse divisions? ›

Morgan division classes which are judged without consideration for type and conformation shall include Reining, Working Western, Trail, Jumper, Carriage Driving, Eventing, Sport Horse, Fitting & Showmanship, Dressage and Equitation.

References

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