Frequently Asked Questions :: American Morgan Horse Association

Frequently Asked Questions :: American Morgan Horse Association Home Join AMHA or Renew Membership Search FAQ Contact Us Site Map Member Extranet About the Morgan 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. back to top Is the Morgan America's first breed? No, the Narragansett Pacer, a breed now extinct, preceded Morgans as a type of horse unique to America. The Morgan was the second "breed" unique and native to America. A "breed" is defined as: n. A group of organisms having common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics, especially a group within a species developed by artificial selection and maintained by controlled propagation. To be an "American Breed" means the horses are something unique to this country, or bear unique characteristics and are not related to breeds with the same characteristics in another country. No other American breed can trace its pedigrees back as far as the Morgan horse can to the same foundation horse. The Morgan IS, indeed, the first true American breed based on bloodlines. Other breeds may have had that type of horse (pacer, harness racer, quarter racer) in colonial days but cannot claim those horses as ancestors today. Indeed, many were in fact offspring of Justin Morgan! Morgan Info Versatility Showcase Frequent Questions Morgan Magazine The Registry Related Links Merchandise Farm Finder Classified Ads Featured Stallions Morgan Clubs Latest News Calendar of Events Morgan Grand National Regional Shows Show Results Press Room Celebrate the Morgan Convention Stallion Service Auction AMHA Information Open Competition Program Pathways Program Morgan Judging Morgan Masterpieces Other Competition Awards AMHA Honors Youth Programs Resources / Forms