Morgan Horse
The Morgan horse is a truly American breed developed from a
single stallion named "Figure," owned by Justin Morgan.
Figure was born in 1789. His breeding is unknown, but thought
to be of Dutch, Thoroughbred, and Arabian lineage.
The Morgan is a multi-purpose breed, used for a variety of
tasks such as working in the fields, pleasure riding, racing,
and pulling wagons or buggies. They excel in all these categories.
They are rugged animals with great stamina and vigor. The
Morgan became a popular breed quickly because they are a practical
choice and their beauty adds even more to their desirable
traits.
As America grew so did the feats of the Morgan. Prospectors
headed to the California Gold Rush on Morgans. 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," the Confederacy's Stonewall
Jackson rode his Morgan, "Little Sorrel." In
the Indian wars, the only survivor of the Battle of the Little
Big Horn was Keogh’s Morgan-bred horse "Comanche".
The history of Morgans and the history of the United States
are definitely intertwined.
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