• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Fun Facts

    Equine 411: All About The Morgan Horse

    Published: Feb 26, 2016 · Modified: Jul 14, 2020 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    The Morgan horse is one of the most elegant and versatile breeds. From roping to dressage and every sport in between, Morgans can be found competing. They are known for their good disposition and intelligence, as well as their strength and stamina. While it’s true that most of us have probably seen a Morgan at some point in our lives, you may not know some of the colorful facts about this all-round wonder horse.

    Keep reading for some fun and interesting facts about the Morgan horse breed...

    Group of Morgan horses in winter. Tall pine trees in the background and mountain range. Brown and black horses standing near a fence on a country farm. Bright white snow on the ground and cloudy skies. Christmas season, holidays, equine photography. Horizontal orientation.

     #1 – A Figure Of Music

    The very first “Morgan” was not a Morgan at all, but a little bay horse named “Figure” for "a figure of music." He was born in 1789 and it's believed he was the son of True Briton, a well-respected sire of the day. Figure impressed people with his ability to "outtwalk, outtrot, outrun and outpull" any horse he was put up against. He became known by his owner’s name, “Morgan.” (morganhorse.com)

    3 Morgan horses, including a mare and her colt, in a field

    #2 –  All Morgans Trace To Figure

    Amazingly, every single purebred Morgan traces back to just one stallion: Figure. It’s pretty amazing that they could develop a breed with as much diversity as it has today with only one foundation sire.

    Close up of a Morgan horse out in the snow

    #3 – A Civil War Favorite

    Because of their willingness, intelligence, strength and stamina, the Morgan horse was a favorite mount of the Civil War. They were practically coveted. The First Vermont Calvary was mounted entirely on Morgans. Both General Philip Sheridan and General Stonewall Jackson rode them as well. (morganhouse.com)

    #4 – Breed Influencers

    The Morgan breed was used to develop many others including the Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, Saddlebred and the Standardbred. In fact, 90 percent of today’s Saddlebreds have Morgan blood. (morganhouse.com)

    Two morgan horses, a mother and foal, run along the side of their paddock on a clear Vermont summer day.

    #5 – Pinto Coloring

    Morgans do possess pinto genes. They can be sabino, frame overo, and splashed white. Interestingly, the tobiano pattern has not been seen in the Morgan to date.

    Two morgan horses on an Amish farm.

    #6 – State Mascots

    The Morgan Horse is the state animal for Vermont and the state horse of Massachusetts.

    #7 –  Poetry Muse

    The Morgan has been the source of many books, movies, and even poetry. The renowned Robert Frost wrote the poem “The Runaway” about a young Morgan colt who is afraid of the snow. You can find it here should you like to read it.

    Closeup of Morgan Horse in the Snow

    #8 – They Can Be Gaited

    Although rare, Morgan horses can be gaited. Those that did possess the trait could do the rack, pace, fox-trot or other lateral gaits. Interestingly, the trait does not seem connected to any specific bloodlines. (morganhorse.com)

    Morgan horse on an Amish horse.

    #9 – Long Life Span

    Morgans have a very long life span. According to the registry, the average is 20-30 years, with many living past 30 with adequate care.

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    Interested in learning about another fascinating horse breed? Check out our article The Fascinating History Of The Knabstrupper. 

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • 8 Things You May Not Have Known About Arabian Horses
    • 5 Clydesdale Horse Facts You Might Not Have Known
    • 6 Amazing Facts About The Belgian Draft Horse
    • 8 Reasons Why You Should Buy The Horse

    Sharing is caring!

    37.6K shares
    • Share36.8K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chloe

      May 05, 2020 at 8:27 am

      Actually all horses are believed to have a lifespan of 25-30 years so to be honest that is pretty much the same as a normal horse. Oh and by the way I am 10 years old so yeah. And I want to make this clear this is not hate! I promise.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See
    • 17 Inspirational TikTok Horse Accounts To Lift Your Spirits

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    37.6K shares
    • 36.8K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy