MAP 5

The creation of the Morgan

This map summarizes the creation of the first American breed, the Morgan. In the “The Mystery of the Morgan Horse” (EQUUS 469), I reconstructed Justin Morgan’s pedigree to reflect all reported and likely ancestry, which includes Old Canadian, Narragansett Pacer and ambler-galloper Thoroughbred. Imported Hobby (18) contributed to the Morgan both through the Narragansett Pacer and directly. Icon 6 represents the Old Canadian, which originated with importations to Canada from Brittany and was essentially identical to the Old Breton shown in Map 2.

The strong conformational similarity of the Old Canadian and Morgan is no coincidence, as Canadian herds were commonly driven into New England in Colonial times and were numerous there. Note the crinkly texture of mane and tail, frequent though not universal in the Morgan, which is also a little smaller and lighter than its Canadian ancestor. The Morgan received an infusion of Dutch Hartdraaver during the late 18th century. Its contribution is not a major ingredient, but the Dutch horse, like the Canadian, conveyed crinkly hair texture and frequent black, liver or redchestnut coloration. The Hartdraaver is responsible for the Morgan’s tendency to high, round action.

Much more detail concerning the origin and history of the Morgan horse can be found in “The Mystery of the Morgan Horse” (EQUUS 469) as well as “The Registered Morgan” (EQUUS 471); they also feature in our short series on the Civil War, “A Different World” (EQUUS 475) and “Horses of the Civil War” (EQUUS 477).