THE MORGAN HORSE
Today's descendants of Figure average between 14.1 and 15.2 hands and come in bay, black, brown, chestnut, grey, palomino, cream, dun, and buckskin. Like their distant ancestor, the little bay stallion Figure, they are easily recognized by their proud and upright carriage, expressive eyes, and willingness to get any job done. They are truly American-born and bred. Diane Jones
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The
very first Morgan horse was a little bay stallion named Figure.
In 1789 a Massachusetts teacher named Justin Morgan accepted
Figure as a partial payment of a debt. Although some historians
believe that Figure was part Arabian, just as many others speculate
that he had a Thoroughbred or Welsh Cob parent. Whatever his
parentage, Figure came to be remembered as a reliable worker
who could pull stumps and logs, participate in parades, pull
carriages elegantly, and win races. In addition, the little
stallion with the round, compact body, slightly arched tail,
large eyes, broad forehead, and slightly dished face was an
"easy keeper"; he did not need much feed to keep him strong
and healthy. Although Figure became known as the "Justin Morgan
horse," he outlived his master and passed into the hands of
new owners in Vermont and New Hampshire, working for the duration
of his very useful life. He died at the very ripe old age of
32 because of an untreated kick from another horse.