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Vermont State Animal
Adoption of the Vermont State AnimalJustin Thomas Morgan was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts on February 28, 1747. By 1788, he had migrated north to Randolph, Vermont where he composed music, farmed, and bred horses. Mr. Morgan also taught singing, music, and penmanship. In later years he served as the Town Clerk of Randolph. Figure was born in 1789, in Springfield, near Justin Morgan's birthplace. Figure was a horse. Named Figure because of his beautiful build, by the time he was two years old, he hadn't grown into a very large horse, not more than 14 hands.¹ Some claim that his heritage included Welsh Cob, Thoroughbred, Arab and Barb. Others are content to be more general in their analysis, describing a pedigree that was probably a blend of Thoroughbred and Arabian, with some other elements as well. In 1791, Justin Morgan took possession of Figure in payment of a debt and brought him home to his farm in Randolph. By all accounts, Figure possessed excellent conformation, temperament, and athleticism. He proved himself intelligent, capable, and versatile, whether serving as a saddle horse or pulling wagons, sleighs, or carriages. Figure was also strong, he was rugged, he possessed endurance, and was at home in the fields behind a plough or in the woods pulling timber.
Though not as large as the big colonial workhorses and not as long-legged as the racehorses, he consistently outperformed both. His reputation as an exceptional stallion grew and spread and he became known as "that Justin Morgan horse," eventually "that Morgan horse." That Morgan horse could out-walk, out-trot, outrun, out-pull, and outwork any other horse. Figure passed out of the hands of Justin Morgan sometime in 1795 or 1796 in a payment for land in Moretown. For the next twenty or so years, Figure had several owners and was used for logging, racing, pulling contests, and hauling freight. Figure passed out of the hands of Justin Morgan sometime in 1795 or 1796 in a trade for land in Moretown. For the next twenty or so years, Figure had several owners and was used for logging, racing, pulling contests, and hauling freight. Figure was put out to pasture near the end of his life and died, at the age of 32, in 1821. He was buried in Tunbridge, Vermont.
Figure was a remarkable animal and most importantly, Figure was prolific throughout his life. He possessed an exceptional prepotency that is an ability to pass his characteristics on to his offspring. It seemed that no matter what type of mare he was bred to, his offspring inherited his conformation and abilities. These qualities allowed Figure to become the foundation of the Morgan horse breed. Bred liberally by his owners, all Morgan horses can trace their lineage back to that Morgan horse named Figure. In the early 1800s, Morgans became a favorite for harness racing after the tremendous performances of the world's fastest trotting stallion, Ethan Allen 50, Figure's great-grandson. Morgans served as mounts in the cavalry during the Civil War. Union General Sheridan rode Morgan "Rienzi," while Stonewall Jackson rode "Little Sorrel." After the Civil War, Morgans continued to prove their salt as Cavalry mounts and Pony Express runners. Comanche, the lone survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn was reputed to be a Morgan/Mustang mixed breed. The Morgan's exceptional qualities have also enhanced other breeds including the American Quarter Horse, the American Saddlebred, the Standardbred, and the Tennessee Walking Horse. It is not surprising that a strong Morgan breeding culture thrives in the State of Vermont, the home of "that Morgan horse."
Colonel Joseph Battell, who began breeding Morgans at his farm in Weybridge, Vermont in the 1870s, is credited with saving the breed. In addition to breeding Morgans, he spent years researching Morgan pedigrees, resulting in the first Morgan Horse Register in 1894. In 1905, the United States Department of Agriculture established a Morgan breeding program in Burlington, Vermont to produce horses possessing the Morgan virtues of strength, athletic ability, endurance, economy, versatility, and easy temperament, but larger. The United States Morgan Horse Farm was established when Colonel Battell donated his farm in Weybridge, near Middlebury, to the United States Government in 1907. The Government maintained a successful breeding program at Weybridge for over forty years but unfortunately ended funding for the U.S. Morgan Horse Farm in 1950. The farm was given to the University of Vermont in 1951. The University kept part of the "government" Morgan herd and continued with a mission of preservation and improvement of the Morgan horse breed. The UVM "government" line of Morgan Horse is considered one of the best in the world. The economic impact of equines in Vermont is over $27 million per year, making it the 2nd largest agricultural industry. About 100,000 acres of Vermont land are kept open by horses. No. 42 of the acts of 1961, effective March 23, 1961, designated the Morgan Horse as the official State Animal. ¹The distance from the ground to the top of the horse's withers (highest part of the back at the base of the neck) is the horse's height. A horse's height is often given in "hands." A hand is equal to four inches. Figure was 14 hands or 56 inches (4' 8") tall. Vermont LawThe following information was excerpted from the Vermont Code, Title 1, Chapter 11. Title 1: General Provisions
§ 500. State animal The state animal shall be the Morgan horse. (1961, No. 42, § 1, eff. March 23, 1961.) Source: The Vermont State Legislature, The Vermont Statutes Online, (http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/statutes2.htm), March 13, 2008.
Additional Information
The National Museum of the Morgan Horse: dedicated to preserving and interpreting all aspects of the MORGAN horse breed through educational programs, exhibits and special events.. University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm: Designated as a National Historic Site, the farm is also home to significant Morgan history and a variety of educational programs. For over 50 years, the farm has provided educational experiences and training for students and visitors while perpetuating the Battell, Government, and UVM bloodlines.. Vermont Morgan Horse Association: The Vermont Morgan Horse Association, Inc. was organized in 1966 to promote and celebrate the Morgan horse, the Vermont state animal.. Vermont Morgan Horse Association Heritage Days: Vermont Morgan Horse Heritage Days continues this tradition every summer when we join together at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, long a meeting place for Morgan lovers from across the country. . The American Morgan Horse Association: The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) exists to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the Morgan horse.. Foundation Morgan Horse Society: The mission of the Foundation Morgan Horse Society is to preserve and promote the original blood and type of the Foundation Morgan Horse.. Foundation Morgan Horse.com: The Foundation Morgan is the old type, classic style Morgan horse which was prized during the mid 1800's to early 1900's and still highly valued by dedicated breeders and admirers today..
State Mammals: Complete list of official state mammals from NETSTATE.COM. Justin Morgan Had A Horse, by Marguerite Henry, Illustrated by Wesley Dennis. Reading level: Ages 4-8, Hardcover: 176 pages, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 1, 2002). This is the extraordinary tale of a little workhorse, who, after being born in obscurity, becomes one of the greatest breeding stallions of all time. In this true story Newbery Medal-winning author Marguerite Henry and artist Wesley Dennis celebrate the life of the only horse ever to establish a breed all by himself -- the Morgan. The Morgan Horse, by by Sarah Maass. Reading level: Ages 9-12, 32 pages, Edge Books (January 2005) Horsekeeping Almanac: The Essential Month-by-Month Guide for Everyone Who Keeps or Cares for Horses, by Cherry Hill. Paperback: 576 pages, Storey Publishing, LLC; 1 edition (October 16, 2007). Keeping horses healthy and happy is all about establishing good routines and following the natural cycles of the animals and the land. Nobody knows this better than Cherry Hill, professional horsekeeper, lifelong horse lover, and author of more than 30 books on horses. How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Starting Out, Starting Over, by Gincy Self Bucklin. Hardcover: 432 pages, Howell Book House (October 15, 2004) In this breakthrough guide, renowned riding expert Gincy Self Bucklin offers adult riders a unique, proven method for developing a good physical, mental, and emotional relationship with a horse. What Your Horse Wants You to Know: What Horses' "Bad" Behavior Means, and How to Correct It, by Gincy Self Bucklin. Paperback: 208 pages, Howell Book House (October 3, 2003). This is a book for everyone who has ever looked at the constantly increasing list of methods and systems marketed as ‘horsemanship’ and wondered which of the many possible approaches would be most suitable for a particular behavior problem. More How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Advanced Basics, The Fun Begins, by Gincy Self Bucklin. Hardcover: 339 pages, Howell Book House (March 6, 2006) This follow-up to How Your Horse Wants You to Ride helps intermediate to advanced riders improve their communication with their mounts and polish their overall riding skills. Readers get a complete tutorial–much of which can be found nowhere else–on taking their riding skills to the next level. Cherry Hill's Horse Care for Kids: Grooming, Feeding, Behavior, Stable & Pasture, Health Care, Handling & Safety, Enjoying, by Cherry Hill. Reading level: Ages 4-8, Hardcover: 128 pages, Storey Publishing, LLC (August 5, 2002). The comprehensive guide helps children and their parents choose the right horse and gives guidelines for safe handling and proper care. Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage: Designing and Managing Your Equine Facilities, by Cherry Hill. Hardcover: 320 pages, Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 2 edition (March 1, 2005) Effective management requires knowledge, dedication, and a sincere interest in the well-being of horses. In this thoroughly updated second edition of her best-selling classic, Cherry Hill explains how to be a responsible steward of the land while providing horses with the best care possible. How to Think Like A Horse: Essential Insights for Understanding Equine Behavior and Building an Effective Partnership with Your Horse, by Cherry Hill. Hardcover: 176 pages, Storey Publishing, LLC (May 1, 2006) Horse trainer and instructor Cherry Hill believes that every human/horse relationship benefits from a greater human understanding of what motivates horses, how they experience the world, what makes them happy, and what worries them. Morgan Horses: a Premium Essay on the Origin, History and Characteristics of This Remarkable American Breed of Horses, by D.C. Linsley. Publisher: C. M. Saxton and Co. (1860). |
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