The offspring of Justin Morgan gradually became know over a wider area and their character was prized. One horseman, Erasmus Fuller, used the Morgan for his stage-coach run from St. Albans to Richford from 1869-1872. By the 1850s Morgans were the most popular and widespread breed in America, and owned by several presidents. They became enormously popular in the mid-West, especially Ohio, not previously noted for its horses' quality.
At a time when crossbreeding posed a threat to the Morgan's distinctiveness, Colonel Joseph Battell established the Morgan Horse Register in 1894. His register provided the impetus for the Morgan Horse Club, which subsequently assumed maintenance of the stud book. The United States Department of Agriculture was also interested in maintaining the breed, and in 1905 created the Morgam Horse Farm (now run by the University of Vermont), which helped to provide calvalry horses during World War I.
Morgans are now somewhat taller than their progenitor, ranging from 14.2 - 15.2 hh (147-157cm). The head is characterized by large and prominent eyes and small ears, a small muzzle and a prominent jaw. The Morgan has a crested neck, considerable should angulation and depth, a short back, muscular croup and a highset tail. Legs are relatively straight with short connon bones and medium pasterns.
In addition to conformation classes, Morgans compete as park horses, in harness, as English and Western pleasure horses, and pleasure driving and jumping. Entries in a Justin Morgan class trot half a mile in harness, gallop the same distance under the saddle, show at the walk, trot and canter, and finally pull 500 pounds of dead weight a distance of six feet.
MORGAN
A Morgan Mare with her foal.
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