What is a Morgan Horse and when and where did the breed originate?
What is a Morgan? A registered Morgan is the result of breeding two registered Morgan horses. All Morgans today trace to the stallion Justin Morgan, foaled in 1789, who was originally known by the name “Figure”. The registry for Morgans was founded in 1909. Prior to that time, Morgans identified by Colonel Joseph Battell as descendants of Justin Morgan were considered Morgan horses. The breed was formed from European horses brought in with colonists, and the Morgans set themselves apart with unique characteristics from their ancestors. Justin Morgan was, in fact, a genetic “sport” in that he did not resemble his sire or dam in obvious ways. He passed these characteristics on to his offspring, forming a distinct type or breed of horse unique to America. Justin Morgan sired many foals, but the most important ones are his three sons, Sherman, Bulrush, & Woodbury. Every Morgan today traces back to him through one of these stallions. This site is by the American Morgan Horse Association.