Facts and Figures
Who was Figure?
Figure was the foundling stallion of the Morgan breed, the horse to which all Morgans are
related. He was foaled in 1789 and soon after became the property of Justin Morgan,
a teacher, composer and horseman who lived in Randolph, Vermont.
What made him different?
As Figure grew, he impressed people with his strong, muscular body and way of moving.
Stories of his strength, speed and endurance spread throughout New England.
He produced many sons and daughters that closely resembled him. By the end of his
thirty-two years, he was known as the Justin Morgan Horse.
What are Morgan Horses used for?
Morgan Horses are valued for their versatility, or ability to do many different jobs well.
In the early days, they were used on the farm to pull plows and other farm
equipment. Farmers also rode them and hitched them up to carts when they needed to
go someplace. Morgans also hauled freight and performed many other jobs. They
were fast horses and were often used for saddle and harness racing. During the Civil
War, Morgans were popular cavalry mounts. Today Morgans are no longer needed on the
farm or to haul people or freight. They are mostly used for recreational purposes
and as show horses.
How has the Morgan breed been preserved?
At the turn of last century, Joseph Battell published an American Morgan Horse Register
based on an essay by Daniel Chipman Linsley, which was published in 1894. The
register listed all the descendents of Figure and how they were related to each other.
In 1909, a group of horse breeders and owners gathered together and formed The
Morgan Horse Club. They worked to preserve and continue the Morgan breed. The
group is now known as the American Morgan Horse Association and it continues to maintain
the Register. |
