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MORGAN HORSES:
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O N
THE ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS REMARKABLE
AMERICAN BREED OF HORSES ;
TRACING THE PEDIGREE
FROM THE ORIGINAL JUSTIN MORGAN, THROUGH THE MOST NOTED 01 HIS
PROGENY, DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME.
WITH NUMEROUS PORTRAITS.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
HINTS FOR BREEDING, BREAKING, AND GENERAL USE AND
MANAGEMENT OF HORSES,
WITH
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR TRAINING THEM FOR EXHIBITION AT
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS.
BY
D. C. LINSLEY,
MIDDLEBUBY, VT.
NEW YORK:
O. M. SAXTON AND COMPANY,
AGRICULTUEAE BOOK PUBLISHERS,
No. 140 Fulton Street.
1857.
t£0 vU l
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by
C. M. SAXTON AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.
E. 0. JENKINS,
printer nnb ^ttrjcotgptr,
No. 26 Frankfort Street.
PREFACE
Mcegak Hoeses as a distinct and remarkable breed,
originating in Vermont, and principally bred there,
have long been well known to the horsemen of New
England, and within a few years, to the people of the
West and South, who, having become acquainted with
them, have manifested a strong desire to introduce
them into their sections of the country.
The author of the following work was acquainted
with these horses in Vermont, and familiar with their
peculiar form and action. But it was not until he en-
gaged in the prosecution of a great public work, at the
West in 1852, that he became fully aware of their ex-
traordinary hardiness, speed and endurance, from
severe use and daily comparison of them with horses
of different style.
Having determined to breed from this stock, it in-
duced a careful examination into the different families
which have sprung from the original or Justin Morgan.
fv PKEFACE.
In the course of these inquiries a mass of information
was accumulated, with much labor and considerable
expense, which was deemed too valuable to be lost.
After determining to preserve it by publication in
some form, every effort was made to obtain the most
reliable information upon all disputed points ; in re-
gard to the origin of the breed, the history of the
most distinguished families, and their present condi-
tion.
To make the work useful to breeders who are un-
acquainted with them, the peculiarities of the different
families have been carefully pointed out, and full
and minute descriptions given of most of the sons
and grandsons of the original horse, with their pedi-
gree, so far as it could be ascertained, and also the
pedigree and description of many other stallions of
the breed, more remotely descended from the Justin
Morgan.
A large number of cuts have been used, most of
which have been traced from daguerreotypes, and can
therefore be relied upon a-s correct portraits of the
forms of the animals they are intended to represent.
4m examination of these cuts will enable a good
PKEFACE. V
horseman to become familiar with the peculiar form
which is so distinguishing a feature of these horses,
and leave him in little doubt as to the cause of their
remarkable qualities.
If size is, as is claimed by some, the measure of
power, it will be found that form is the measure of
action. Too much size is, indeed, incompatible with
rapid and long-continued action.
The most casual observer of a good Morgan horse,
is conscious that he sees a peculiar animal. His short,
light, rapid step, point to the great muscles which
give him motion. His prominent, clear, eager eyes,
set wide apart, testify to his courage and docility — ■
while his clean, light head, carried high, with short,
pointed, sensitive ears, gives grace and elegance to
every motion.
A slight description has been given of some of the
most prominent breeds of horses, that they may readily
be compared with the Morgan.
The style, it is hoped, will be found plain and clear.
To the many gentlemen who have aided us in col-
lecting the materials for our work, we return our sin-
cere thanks. Their hearty encouragement has cheered
VI PREFACE.
us in the prosecution of our work, and much of any
interest that may attach to it, is due to their assistance.
Should occasion offer, we trust they will afford us an
opportunity to reciprocate their favors.
If the publication of this volume should prove in-
strumental in awakening increased interest in the
breeding of these noble animals, and in leading farm-
ers and breeders to the best sources for obtaining
this stock, or in enabling them to detect the many spu-
rious animals advertised throughout the country as
genuine Morgans, the author will feel satisfied that he
has not labored in vain.
D. C. LINSLEY.
Middlebuey, Vt., September 10, 1856.
CONTENTS.
Preface, •- - _ 3
Contents, _ _ 7
CHAPTEE I.
The Most Esteemed Eaces of Horses, and the Kinds of Service
to which they are Adapted, ------ 9
CHAPTEE II.
Contrast Between the Kinds of Service Eequired of Horses For-
merly, and at the Present Day, 29
CHAPTEE III.
Description of the Kind of Horses most sought for in the Prin-
cipal Markets of the Country, 44
CHAPTEE IV.
Peculiar Adaptation of the Morgan Horse to the Eoad and General
Use, 63
CHAPTEE V.
Origin of the Morgan Horse, -----.-92
CHAPTEE VI.
Memoir and Description of the Justin Morgan, - 131
CHAPTEE VII.
History and Description of the Stallions Sired by the Justin
Morgan, - 144
(T)
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
General Description of the different Families and their Distin-
guishing Characteristics, 165
CHAPTER IX.
Present Condition of this Stock in Vermont, .... 175
CHAPTER X.
Performances of Morgan Horses; the Demand for them, and
their Present Value as indicated by Sales, - - - 185
CHAPTER XL
Hints as to the Best Methods for Improving and Perpetuating the
Breed, - - - 200
CHAPTER XII.
Hints in Relation to Breaking and Driving, .... 219
CHAPTER XIII.
The Proper Manner of Feeding and Driving upon the Road, t - 238
CHAPTER XIV.
Hints to Purchasers of Morgan or other Horses, ... 250
CHAPTER XV.
Pedigrees and Description of Stallions, 260
Appendix, 323
[EXTRACT.]
TO THE VERMONT STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Committee of Awards, to whom was referred the subject of
Essays, respectfully report, that they have attended carefully to the
duties of their appointment, and do award the First Premium to
Mr. D. C. Linsley, of Middlebury, for his elaborate Essay on the
Morgan Horse.
In consequence of the peculiar merits of this treatise, the
Committee feel authorized to commend it to the particular notice
of the Society, as one eminently adapted to the wants of the peo-
ple of this State, and as supplying a desideratum long- felt, both in
regard to the true history of the Morgau Horse, and in respect to
the best methods of its perpetuation. "We believe Mr. Linsley has
collected all the facts pertaining to his subject which intelligent re"
search and thorough devotion can furnish ; and that he has em-
bodied them in an attractive form and with a just discrimination.
The information relating to the history of the Breed is important,
and, we think, can be found in no work yet published ; the style in
which it is communicated is clear, spirited, and in perfect keeping
with the subject discussed.
When it is considered that the sources of information in regard
to the origin and history of the Morgan Horse, now obscure at the
best, are rapidly diminishing, and that Mr. Linsley has rescued so
much, which in a short time would have been beyond the reach of
the compiler, it must be admitted he has rendered a valuable service
to the farmers of the State, and one which, in the judgment of the
Committee, the Society ought not to leave unrecognized. * * *
January 15, 1856.
J. A. beckwith,
EDWAED SEYMOUE,
E. B. CHASE, \ Committee.
F. E. WOOPBEIDGE,
JOHN GEEGOEY.
P
St. Johnsbury, Yt., July 7, 1856.
D. C. Linsley, Esq. :
Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 3d inst. is at hand, as also the
accompanying drawing of the old Justin Morgan. I knew the
horse well, and owned him about seven years while in the prime of
his life. The drawing is a very faithful representation of him as
he appeared while I owned him, and I can suggest scarcely any
alteration ; perhaps none that would make it a more faithful copy
of the original.
Tours respectfully,
DAVID GOSS.
Derby Line, Vt., July 21, 1856.
D. 0. Lixsley, Esq. : — Your favor of the 18th inst., containing a
drawing of the old Justin Morgan, has this day come to hand,
and I hasten to reply. In early life it was my privilege to know
the original Morgan Horse perfectly well, and for some time to see
him almost daily at the time of his greatest popularity, and I have
no hesitation in saying, that the drawing exhibited, in my judgment,
is remarkably correct, and gives a very accurate delineation of the
horse as he appeared in life.
I remain, Dear Sir, yours truly and
Very respectfully,
SOLO. STEELE,
~ „ T „ Claremont, N. H., July, 1856.
D. C. Linsley, Esq. :
Dear Sir,— I received a line from you yesterday, and with it a
drawing of the old Justin Morgan or Goss horse. As I have be-
fore told you, I know the horse well, having seen him often, and
kept him one year while Joel Goss owned him. He was far the
best horse I ever had anything to do with, and my recollection of
him is perfectly clear and distinct.
The drawing you send is a very excellent likeness of him, and I
am pleased to see an effort making, even at this late day, to preserve
some record of him.
Yours Eespectfully,
DAN. BALDWIN.
CHAPTEK I.
THE MOST ESTEEMED EACES OP HOESES, AND THE KINDS OP
SEEYICE TO WHICH THEY AEE ADAPTED.
The history of tlie horse, intimately interwoven as
it is with that of man, can hardly fail to interest the
most careless student. From the earliest ages he has
been man's faithful ally and willing slave. In war, he
not only moves all the machinery of the field and
camp, but shares with his rider all the fatigue and
danger of battle. In peace, how various and invalu-
able are his services. Every branch of industry owes
much to his patient toil ; he ploughs the soil, sows the
seed, reaps the harvest, and transports it to the distant
market. From year to year, and age to age, he has
toiled unceasingly for his master, in the cart, the
mill, the freight-wagon, or the mail-coach. For many
centuries prior to the construction of canals, almost the
entire inland commerce of the world was carried on
by means of the horse.
Not onlv has he thus relieved our wants and minis-
tered to our comfort, but he shares with us in our
pleasures and amusements ; he not only works steadily
and patiently in the loaded wagon, but in the race
becomes as much excited as his master, and appears to
rejoice in the pleasures of the chase. In gracefulness
of motion, elegance of form, and dignity of carriage,
he is superior to every other quadruped ; and by those
1* W
10 THE MORGAN HORSE.
nations to whom he is known he is almost universally
considered the most useful and manageable of all
our domestic animals Hence he has been admired,
cherished and loved, equally by the most enlightened
and most barbarous races of men. More time, money
and intellect have been used in the attempt to improve
and perpetuate the distinguishing characteristics of the
best breeds, than has been expended upon any, perhaps
it may be safely said a U, other animals. His servant in the
field, his companion in the chase, and his willing slave
in trials of speed, he becomes the pride, the joy and
boast of his master. Boundless wealth is often scattered
for pleasures and amusements, in which the flying foot
of the horse is the chief attraction. Attached to his
master and obedient to his will, he bears him without
question or murmur, through sunshine and storm, over
mountains and through rivers ; carries him with un-
faltering nerves into the thickest of the battle, and if
repulsed, his speed and endurance bid defiance to pur-
suit. .
Hence no animal has received the same care and
attention in breeding and training as the horse.
Though the horse was domesticated in the time of
Moses, and is frequently mentioned in history, yet we
know little of his condition, or the manner in which
he was trained, until about four hundred years before
Christ. Xenophon was the first writer who left us any
record of what were then considered the best points of
a good horse ; or described, critically and in detail, the
proper method of breaking and training him. Consid-
ering that nearly twenty-three hundred years have
elapsed since this essay* was written, it must certainly
THE MOST ESTEEMED BEEEDS. 11
be deemed surprising that it should still be admitted
as a standard authority upon the subjects of which it
treats.
Among the ancients the horse was little used, except
in war "and the chase. For these uses the wild horses
of the East are perhaps as well adapted as any other
breed now in existence. The wild horse being so well
suited to the wants of the ancients, no attempt would
be made to improve him or alter his general conforma-
tion by careful breeding. Had other wants been felt,
and efforts made to alter his general form, it could
hardly have been productive of any improvement or
important change ; for, to be successful, the breeding
must not only be continued for several generations,
but must be undertaken by a people fixed in their
habits, devoted to agriculture, and perfectly conversant
with the gieat physical laws that must be carefully ob-
served in crossing different races of animals, in order
to insure success. The ancients "had not these advan-
tages, and we think it may safely be inferred, that up
to the commencement of the Christian era, the main
characteristics of the horse had undergone little change,
except such as had been produced by the climates in
which he lived, the nature of the soil, and the pastures
upon which he fed.
In the central and northern parts of Asia, and the
northern part of Europe, where the climate is cold and
the vegetation scanty, the wild horses were then, and
are still, small, but active and hardy, with bodies
closely knit, and hair thick and long. They are capa-
ble of performing the longest marches without exhibit-
ing fatigue, are fleet, sure-footed, and well adapted
12 THE MORGAN HORSE.
for service in the cold and mountainous countries in
which they are found.
The earliest records we have of the horse, trace him
to Egypt, whence he gradually found his way to
the various Egyptian colonies. Among the African
varieties, the Barb is remarkable for his fine and graceful
action ; and is found chiefly in Morocco and Fez. He
is lower than the Arabian, seldom exceeding fourteen
hands. The shoulders are flat, the chest deep, the
joints inclined to be a little long, and the head very
fine. He is superior to the Arab in form, but has not
his speed and endurance, nor his spirit and "counte-
nance." The Barb has chiefly contributed to the excel-
lence of the Spanish horse. The Grodolphin Arabian was
a Barb, and from him has descended some of the best
racing stock of England.
The Arabian horse deservedly occupies the very
highest rank. So late as the seventh century, the
Arabs had very few horses, and those of a very in-
ferior quality. The horses that they obtained from
Cappadocia and other neighboring countries were
preserved with so much care, and so uniformly pro-
pagated from the finest animals, that in the thirteenth
century they had obtained great celebrity. The
Arabs divide their horses into three classes: the
Attechi, or inferior breed, which are little valued, and
are found wild in some parts of the desert ; the Kadis-
chi, or mixed breed ; and the Kochlani, or thorough-
bred. Many of the latter have well-attested pedigrees
extending more than four hundred years, and the
Arab confidently asserts that the pedigree of his
favorite mare can be traced directly to the stud
THE MOST ESTEEMED BEEEDS. 13
of Solomon. More care is taken to preserve the
pedigree of their horses, than the genealogies of their
chiefs : these pedigrees are always reckoned from the
dams. The Arabian horse might not always be
acknowledged to possess a perfect form, but no one
can fail to admire his inimitable head. The broad,
square forehead, the short, lean, firm, and delicate
muzzle, the bright, prominent, and intelligent eye, the
small, sprightly, and almost transparent ears, are uni-
versally acknowledged to be unrivalled in any other
breed. The fineness of his legs, and the oblique posi-
tion of his pasterns, may be supposed to lessen his
strength ; but the legs, although small, are flat and
wiry, and they are not required to carry heavy
weights. The muscles of the thigh and fore-arm are
strikingly developed, and assure us of his ability to
perform many of the feats of strength and endurance
related of him ; but in reading of his really marvellous
marches, we must remember that there are no watches
to note accurately the time, nor mile- stones to mark
correctly the distances on the paths of the desert, and
we must make some allowance for the proneness of the
Bedouin to exaggeration. The Arabian horse is as
celebrated for his docility as for his speed and courage.
He rarely exceeds fourteen hands in height, his body
is light, his hips and loins excellent, and his shoulders
extremely beautiful. It is to the Arabian that the
English are chiefly indebted for their unrivalled breed
of horses for the turf and the chase.
The Dongoia horses, bred in the kingdom of Dongola,
and the country lying between Egypt and Abyssinia,
are somewhat celebrated for their showy appearance
14 THE MORGAN HORSE.
They are full sixteen hands high, with very short
bodies, long necks, fine crests, and sharp, high withers ;
but the breast is too narrow, the quarters and flanks
flat and thin, with carped or roached backs. Some
of these horses were imported into England about
1825, but were little valued.
There are several breeds of horses in India, of which
the Toorky is the best, and is descended from the Per-
sian.
The Chinese horse is very inferior, and unworthy of
notice.
The Persian horse deservedly ranks next to the
Arabian ; his head is almost equally fine, his hip and
croup better; he is more stoutly built, is equal in
speed, but less enduring. Their food consists of bar-
ley and chopped straw, hay being unknown. The
Persian horses were very celebrated long before the
Arabian was known. They rarely exceed fourteen
and a half hands high, are full of courage, and very
tractable and docile.
Turkistan has long been celebrated for producing a
pure and valuable breed of horses, called Toorkomans.
They are large, standing from fifteen to sixteen hands
high ; are swift and remarkably enduring. They are
said to be preferable even to the pure Persian for
severe service. They are too small in the barrel, too
long in the legs, and their heads are large and clumsy ;
yet they are highly esteemed.
The Flemish and Dutch horses are very large,
strongly and symmetically formed, with fine crests and
plenty of bone and muscle, but are a little dull in their
paces, and mostly used for purposes of draft. It ia
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 15
principally from these that the celebrated draft horses
of England are descended.
France contains several breeds of horses, some of
which, particularly the Norman, are very valuable.
The government have for some years paid a good deal
of attention to the improvement of horses, but they
are still inferior to the English in beauty and speed.
The best French horses are raised in Limousin and
Normandy. Those from the latter province are of
large size, with plenty of bone and muscle, large limbs,
heavy quarters, sloping croup, deep chest and deep
body, but a little flat-ribbed. They are very tractable,
and possessed of very great endurance, and can carry
great weight at the rate of six to seven miles per houi.
Spain has long been celebrated for her breed of
horses, but it is thought that they are less valuable
now than formerly, having suffered under the general
decline of the Spanish government. The Andalusian
horse, so called from that province of Spain in which
he was chiefly bred, still retains a resemblance to the
Barb, to which he was undoubtedly indebted for his
most valuable qualities. The Barb was brought into
Spain during the first part of the eighth century.
England owes much of the present excellence of her
horse to this breed. About the year 1060, William
of Normandy brought a large number of horses from
Spain for cavalry service, and probably these were
mostly from the provinces of Andalusia and Asturias,
for, owing to the richness of the pastures, horses were
much more numerous in these provinces than in any
other parts of Spain.
Italian horses were formerly thought very valuable,
16 THE MORGAN HORSE.
but are now less esteemed. The Neapolitan horses are
tolerably well shaped, and from their size and high
style of action are in some demand for carriage horses.
The Turkish horses are principally descended from
the Arab, crossed with the Persian, the Tartar, and some-
other breeds. Compared with the Arabian, the head is
larger, the limbs heavier, the body longer, the shoulder
not so fine, and the hips higher. They are, if possible,
more gentle and tractable than the Arabian. The
Turkish horse has contributed much to the blood of the
present English race-horse.
The German horses are generally large, heavy, and
slow. The Hungarian is, however, of medium size,
and possessed of a good deal of speed and endurance.
Many excellent cavalry horses are bred in Holstein.
They are generally bay, of good size, with small, fine
heads, bold, lively eyes, have good action, and are
strong and active.
The Swedish horses are between thirteen and four-
teen hands high, and are remarkable for their speed
and endurance.
The horses of Finland are yet smaller, not exceeding
twelve hands in height ; they are said to be beautiful,
and very fleet.
In Iceland, though the country is mountainous, and
the climate cold and inhospitable, there are yet very
numerous troops of wild horses. They are very small,
strong, and swift.
The horses of that part of Tartary comprehending
the great plains of Central Asia, and a considerable part
of European Eussia, are almost in a wild state ,• they
are small and badly made, but are very hardy and en-
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 17
during. They are not very docile or tractable. Tar-
tar horses form a large portion of the Persian cavalry,
being preferred on account of their great hardiness and
endurance.
All the horses we have enumerated, with the ex-
ception of the German, Italian, French and Flemish,
are peculiarly adapted to use under the saddle, carry-
ing light weight ; and with few exceptions they are
seldom put to any other service.
The Eussians have some excellent horses. The
most celebrated of their breeds is the Orloff Trotter,
of large size and fine action. Great pains are taken in
breaking and training them, to prevent their moving
in any other gait than a walk or trot, consequently
some of them are fast trotters.
The English horse, on account of its just celebrity,
and as the source from which the best of our own have
been derived, demands a more careful notice.
Horses were exceedingly numerous in Britain at
the time of its conquest by Julius Caesar, and they
were so valuable, that Caesar carried many of them to
Eome. The Eomans having established themselves in
Britain, kept a large force of cavalry there, and these
horses, gathered from all parts of the Eoman Empire,
mixed with the native breed. Whether this cross re-
sulted in any improvement cannot now be ascertained.
The next importation of which we have any account
was early in the tenth century. Hugh Capet, of
France, made Althelstane a present of several German
lt running horses." About the middle of the eleventh
century, with William the Conqueror came a marked
improvement in the English horse. His followers,
18 THE MORGAN HORSE.
coming from a country far in advance of England in
the science of agriculture, were of great service to the
English in improving their horses, by introducing the
Spanish horse. The first recorded importation of an
Arabian horse took place in 1121 — Alexander I., of
Scotland, having presented the church of St. Andrew
with an Arabian horse, " decked in Turkish armor, and
costly trinkets." About the close of the twelfth or be-
ginning of the thirteenth century, King John imported
one hundred stallions from Flanders, and thus laid the
foundation of the draft horse, which has since become
so celebrated. In the beginning of the fourteenth cen-
tury, Edward II. imported thirty war horses, and
twelve -draft horses. Edward III. purchased fifty
Spanish horses, which cost him about seven hundred
dollars each.
The English had used horses from Turkey and Bar-
bary, to improve the native stock, but up to the time
of James I. with but little success.
About 1610, James purchased a celebrated Arabian
horse of a merchant named Markham, for which he paid
five hundred pounds. After this, James purchased of
Mr. Place, a beautiful horse called the White Turk.
Not long after this, the first Duke of Buckingham im-
ported the Helmsly Turk. These two animals produced
a great change in the character of the English horses.
Charles I. eagerly pursued the favorite sport of the
English gentleman, and established races at Hyde
Park and Newmarket. Cromwell was himself anxious
to continue the improvement of the horse, and kept a
stud of race-horses ; but racing was not countenanced
by his party, and the race courses were closed.
THE MOST ESTEEMED BEEEDS. 19
At the Bestoration in 1660, a new impulse was given
to the cultivation of the horse. ' Eace courses were
opened, and royal plates were now given at the prin-
cipal ones. Charles sent his Master of the Horse to
the Levant, to purchase both mares and stallions.
These were principally Barbs and Turks. His nobles
followed his example, and from that time until the
eighteenth century almost every valuable variety of
Eastern blood was from time to time engrafted on the
old stock. In 1703, Mr. Darley imported the Arabian
that has since borne his name, being then four years
old. About twenty-five years later, a Mr. Coke brought
the Godolphin Arabian from France to England, and
presented' him to Mr. Williams-, Master of St. James'
Coffee House, who presented him to the Earl of Godol-
phin. It is to these importations chiefly that is due
the high degree of perfection which the English race-
horse has attained.
The English Hunter is not as distinct a breed of
horses as has often been supposed. Every variety of
blood has been resorted to, to produce the horse best
suited to the work required of him, and he is now
usually three-quarters thorough-bred. Mr. Skinner
says the Hunter is but a combination of the race-horse
or thorough-bred, with one of less blood. Formerly,
hunters were bred from coach mares, or "Machiners"
as they are called ; but no at the hunter is lighter, and
more nearly thorough-bred. Many of the hunters of
fifty years ago were bred by crossing the Cleveland
Bay with the race-horse ; and resembled the best Hack-
neys of the present day.
Of the Hackney, a standard English work says : " The
20 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Hackney should be a hunter in miniature, with these
exceptions : his height should rarely exceed fifteen
hands and an inch. He will be sufficiently strong,
and more pleasant for general work, below that stand-
ard. He should be of more compact form than the
Hunter — more bulk according to his height, for he has
not merely to stand an occasional though severe burst,
but a great deal of every -day work."
The English coach horse was formerly bred from
the Suffolk, and the Cleveland Bays (breeds now
nearly extinct) by crossing the mares with horses pos-
sessing more or less racing blood, and was, in fact, but
a large, heavy Hunter or Hackney.
The Cleveland Bays, the Clydesdale, the Northamp-
tonshire, the Suffolk Punch, and the heavy Black, or
Lincolnshire horse, are but different varieties of the
English draft horse, and are but little used for any
other purpose.
The coach horse, and the draft horse, have diminished
very rapidly of late years, having given way to a lighter,
and faster animal.
The foregoing glance at the most important races of
horses will, it is hoped, enable the reader to form a
tolerably correct idea of the main sources from which
our horses are derived.
The wild horse is found in great numbers in Tartary,
in some parts of South America, and a few in the
south-western territories of the United States. In none
of these can we recognize an original race. The horses
of the Ukraine, and those of South America, are
equally the descendants of those which have escaped the
slavery of man. The former are thought to be de-
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 21
scended from horses that were employed in the siege
of Azofif, in 1657; but were turned loose for want of
forage. The latter are descended from animals im-
orted by the Spaniards, and they still retain, almost
unimpaired, the size and form of the stock from which
they sprung. They are not remarkable for their speed
at short distances, but possess great endurance ; and
many instances are recorded of the natives pushing
them over one hundred miles without drawing rein.
In our own country we have several breeds of horses.
The Conestoga horse is found chiefly in the Middle
States, but is not as often met with now, as formerly.
He is descended from early importations from Flanders
and Denmark ; he is inclined to be too long in the leg,
too light in the barrel, and too dull in his paces. His
quarters and shoulders are generally good ; and when
his body is found sufficiently deep he makes an excel-
lent draft horse; he is often over seventeen hands
high.
The English thorough-bred is found in perfection
in many of the States, but is bred chiefly at the South.
In most of the States, the great majority of the horses
in ordinary use possess traces of racing blood.
The Canadian horse is found chiefly in Canada, and
is undoubtedly of Norman-French descent, and to this
day they preserve, in a high degree, the distinguishing
traits of the stock from which they sprung. There
are many varieties, some having been crossed with the
English thorough-bred. They have maintained the
good qualities of their ancestors, but have less size,
probably owing in a great measure to the rigor of the
climate, and their scanty fare. They are exceedingly
22 THE MORGAN HORSE.
hardy, easily kept, are long-lived, and perfectly gentle
and docile. Some of them are celebrated for speed at
short distances, but as a breed they are not good road-
sters.
The Narragansett pacer, a breed long celebrated in
Rhode Island, is said to have descended in part from a
horse imported by Gov. Robinson from Andalusia in
Spain. They were noted for their easy pace under
the saddle, docility, and powers of endurance. They
were small and not well adapted for draught.
The Norman horse has not yet been extensively
bred in this country, but a few fine animals have .been
imported. They are large, usually full sixteen hands
high, compact and muscular ; and though not adapted
to high speed with light weight — yet it is believed they
are unrivalled in their powers of endurance, carry-
ing a great weight at the rate of six or seven miles per
hour.
In addition to these varieties, there are in various
parts of the country families claiming more or less
alliance to the thorough- bred. Of these, the Messen-
gers, the Hamiltonians, the Henrys, the Bellfounders,
are perhaps the most noted, as they were generally
well-formed, fine-moving, fast-going, and enduring
horses.
Hamiltonian or Hamlintonian was got by Diomed,
sire of the celebrated Sir Archy. Diomed was by
Florizel, he by King Herod, he by Tartar, and he by
Croft's Partner, who was by Jig, a son of the Byerly
Turk ; dam by Spectator, g. dam by Blank, gg. dam
by Childers. Dam of Hamiltonian was by Shark, g.
dam by Apollo. Hamiltonian was long owned by Col.
THE MOST ESTEEMED BBEEDS. 23
Tajloe, of Virginia, and run by him with milch success.
He was bred by Mr. Thomas Hamlin, from whom he
was named; but of late the stock has been called
Hamiltonian. He was chestnut, of good size, and was
foaled in 1800.
He had an excellent figure and good constitution,
and he ran several successful four-mile races. His
stock was excellent, but has been frequently confounded
with that of Hambletonian, a son of imported Messen-
ger.
Hambletonian, by Messenger, was a fine horse, and
left some very valuable stock that has been a good
deal scattered throughout the States of New York and
western part of Vermont; and we think much of the
stock in these States called Hamiltonian or Hamlin-
tonian should be Hambletonian. "We have not at hand
the necessary data to give his pedigree or any further
description of him, which we regret, as his descendants
have been deservedly esteemed for their speed and
power of endurance. Many of them are large, and
make excellent carriage horses.
The pedigree and some description of several other
noted horses will be found at the close of the chapter
on Pedigrees.
The stock descended from Messenger, Hamiltonian,
and some others, proved very valuable; many of
them were excellent roadsters, and some of them were
fast trotters. Hence, it soon became policy for dealers
to advertise their horses as descended from those whose
stock was known to be good; and at the stables of
those dealers whose honesty is not of the adamantine
kind, you can usually purchase a horse of any of the
24 THE MORGAN" HORSE.
well-known families provided you give a reasonable
hint of the stock you prefer. Hundreds of horses are
sold every year as Morgans, Messengers, Hamiltonians,
&c, who have not a particle of the blood they are rep-
resented to possess.
Messenger was a gray, fifteen and three-quarters
hands high, and stoutly built. He was got by Mam-
brino, he by Engineer, and he by Sampson, dam by
Turf, his grandam by Kegulus. He was foaled in
1780, and bred by John Pratt, Esq., of Newmarket,
England. He ran several successful races, and" finally,
in 1785, won the king's plate. He was imported into
New York by Mr. Benger. The first two seasons after
his arrival, he was kept at Shammany Bridge, near
Bristol, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henry Astor then pur-
chased him and kept him on Long Island for two years.
About this time Mr. 0. W. Van Ranst, Esq., pur-
chased an interest in him, and for the remainder of his
life he was kept in various parts of the State of New
York, with the exception of one year at Cooper's
Perry, opposite Philadelphia.
He died January 28, 1808*. His stock were cele-
brated as roadsters rather than racers, though he
was sire of Miller's Damsel and some others of note.
"Whether animals of either of these families can now
be found possessing sufficient resemblance to one an-
other, and enough of the blood of the ancestor from
whom they derive their name, to render it possible to
establish a distinct and permanent variety, we are un-
able to say, but think it doubtful.
The observant traveller through the different States
of the Union, who possesses any taste for a horse, can-
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 25
not fail to mark the striking difference in the general
character of the horses of different sections of the
country. In the New England States he sees a com-
pact, hardy stock of horses of medium size, with high
carriage — good travellers, and extremely gentle and
tractable driving horses.
In almost every county he may find descendants of
the Justin Morgan, and in some he will see that they
comprise a large portion of the stock. Along the Can-
ada border he will see many specimens of the French-
Canadian horse, and in some parts of Massachusetts
and Connecticut he will see descendants of the Norman,
the Flemish, and the Danish horse.
Throughout New England he will see evidences of
the blood of the English racer, and the Arabian ; Mes-
senger, Dey of Algiers, Hamiltonian, Cock of the
Eock, Henry, Post Boy, Sir Walter, Sir Charles, and
many others, having mingled their blood with the com-
mon stock of the country, but the pure thorough-bred
he will not be apt to see. Passing through New York,
we see a greater variety of horses. Within the State
may be found individuals exhibiting the form and
characteristics of every breed known in this country.
As a general rule the driving horses (many of them
very fine) are taller than those of New England, and
less compact. The farm and draft horses are generally
larger, but vary much in size from the Canadian pony
to the English cart horse. The thorough-bred may
occasionally be met with, though not so common now
as formerly ; but scattered throughout the State may
be found the descendants of Messenger, Eclipse, Henry,
Duroc, and other celebrated horses of that breed. In
2
26 TIIE MORGAN HOESE.
the central and northern parts of the State may be
seen some of the descendants of the Justin Morgan,
some of these horses having been taken there within
the past few years.
As we pass through Pennsylvania and Ohio, we
observe a more striking change in the character of the
horses. The fine driving horse is more rarely seen.
The farm and draft horses are much larger, and some-
times are really immense. They are descended from the
Flemish and Danish horses, are usually fat, slow and
awkward, are sometimes pretty well formed, but are
inclined to be leggjr and loosely built.
In the eastern part of Pennsylvania and northern
part of Ohio, many fair driving horses may be seen,
but in the western part of Pennsylvania and southern
part of Ohio, good buggy horses are not common —
light wagons are not much used. Many good sad-
dle horses may be found possessing more or less of the
characteristics of the English thorough-bred, a good
specimen of which may occasionally be seen.
As we go west and south we find the good buggy
horse becoming more and more rare, and the number
and quality of the saddle horses constantly increasing ;
until arrived in Kentucky and Tennessee, the former is
not often seen, while the latter are both numerous and
excellent.
Many of the draft and carriage horses used in Ken-
tucky, are brought from Ohio and Indiana, and are
taken from the same stock of those States, the coarsest
being used for draft and the finest for the carriage.
The horses in common use for farm and similar work,
are decidedly inferior. This is, perhaps, in a great de-
THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 27
gree, due to the fact that a large number of the best
mares are constantly used for breeding mules, and that
more attention is paid to raising the latter animals,
which have become one of the great staples of Ken-
tucky.
Throughout the remaining Southern States the ani-
mals used upon the farm and road are principally
mules ; light wagons are but little used ; the white popu-
lation is more thinly scattered ; and though most of the
planters keep a family carriage, yet the ordinary busi-
ness travel is principally upon horseback. Through-
out the Southern States the English thorough-bred is
found in high perfection, and many of the horses in
common use partake largely of his blood.
The horses of Indiana, Illinois and the other Western
and North-Western States, closely resemble the horses
of Ohio, and in fact, many of them were raised in that
State, and taken farther west by persons emigrating to
new lands.
Although emigration has been going on for some
time from New England to these States, yet until with-
in the last few years the emigrants very rarely took
an}^ animals Avith them, the journey being too long to
be undertaken with teams ; but the emigration to that
country from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, has
very generally been made in wagons, the emigrants
taking their horses with them.
Within the last few years a few Morgan horses have
been taken into that section, where they command
high prices ; and as they become more and more known,
so the demand for them is steadily increasing, and in
28 THE MORGAN HORSE.
passing through the large towns the traveller will occa-
sionally see a good specimen of the race.
It is a fact worthy of note that the English thorough-
bred is found most numerous, and in the greatest per-
fection, in those States where the saddle horse is most
in demand, and where the light buggy has not yet
come into very general use ; while in those States
where the horse is little used under the saddle, but
almost entirely in harness, he is not often met with.
CHAPTEE II.
CONTRAST BETWEEN - THE KINDS OF SERVICE REQUIRED OP H0RSE3
FORMERLY, AND AT THE PRESENT DAY.
Up to the tenth, century the Arabs alone seem to
have taken much pains in breeding their horses, and
the crosses of the different breeds in Europe were due
more to chance than to any matured plan of improve-
ment. The warlike sports of the joust and the tour-
nament, which originated in France, reached their full
perfection in that country during the tenth century,
and by the close of the twelfth had extended over
Europe.
Success in these contests depended as much upon
the power and activity of the horse, as upon the skill
and strength of the rider. Every effort was made to
procure the finest horses by those who engaged in
these sports. At first the Spanish horse was almost
exclusively used.
The motley assemblage of people from every nation
of Europe, to form the armies engaged in the crusades, »
brought together horses of every known variety. The
knights of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were
almost constantly engaged in a fierce struggle with the
Saracens, or in the warlike sports of that age. The
announcement of a "passage at arms" drew them
(311)
30 THE MORGAN HORSE.
together from the most distant points. The knights
had increased the weight of their armor until it alone
was an ample load for the horse, consequently ani-
mals of great size and strength were needed; and it
soon became evident that neither the Andalusian, the
Turkish, the Arabian, nor the English horse, was
able to cope successfully in the crushing charge of the
tournament with the much larger and stronger, though
less spirited and active horses of Lombardy, Norman-
dy, Flanders, and Denmark. It was this size and
strength, combined with symmetry of form and good
carriage, that caused these horses to be much sought
after by the knights and nobles throughout Europe.
It must not be forgotten in considering the services
demanded of the horse in that age, that it is not prob-
able he was used for field labor on the farm before
the commmencement of the eleventh century, and we
have no notice of his being put to such service until
1066. Horses were at that time little used except
under the saddle, for ordinary travelling, for cavalry
carrying heavy armor, and for heavy draft.
About the middle of the fourteenth centurv the use
of gunpowder for military purposes, and the decline
of chivalry with its accompanying martial sports and
exercises, produced a great change in the horses used
for cavalry, and by the nobles and gentry of Europe.
Cavalry no longer derived its chief efficiency from the
size and strength of the horse, which was necessary to
enable him to carry the two or three hundred pounds
of armor that was sometimes put upon him.
This armor, encasing both horse and rider, was
almost impervious to any weapons that had before been
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 31
used, but afforded little protection from musketry, and
was of course utterly useless when exposed to artillery.
The horses, large, clumsy and awkward, were incapa-
ble of executing evolutions rapidly, or of going into
action at anything but a moderate pace; and they
rapidly fell into disuse, their place being supplied by
a much smaller and more active horse.
For cavalry of the present day a horse of medium
size is required. He carries no defensive armor.
The principal purposes for which cavalry are now
used are, keeping open communication between dif-
ferent bodies of infantry, and patrolling the country.
In battle, they are usually held in reserve to take ad-
vantage of any momentary confusion in the ranks of the
enemy, and the success of an attack at such a moment
depends in a great measure upon the promptness and
celerity with which it is made. Finally, they are of great
service in following up the success in case of victory,
and in covering a retreat. For these kinds of service
it will be readily seen that the horse most suitable
must be of medium size, compact, muscular, hardy,
courageous, and active.
Since the use of gunpowder, the greatest changes
that have taken place in the general character of the
horse have occurred in England ; and for this reason,
together with the fact that our American horses are
principally descended from English stock, we shall
glance chiefly at the changes that have taken place in
the character of the English horse, and the service to
which he has been put.
At the commencement of the seventeenth century,
the great mass of the horses of England, with the ex-
82 THE MORGAN HORSE. •
ception of the thorough-breds, might be divided into
two classes, viz. : draft horses, and saddle horses. The
former were used for transporting merchandise from
place to place in heavy carts, to which were attached
from one to six horses. As, up to that time, canals
and railroads were unknown, an enormous number of
these horses was required to move to the seaboard the
exports of a country rich as England was in agricul-
tural productions and manufactured articles; and to
distribute throughout the country the imported arti-
cles received in exchange.
The great demand for these horses caused much at-
tention to be paid to breeding them, and the best
English cart horse has never been excelled for the
kind of service to which he is so peculiarly adapted.
The people of that age moved but little from home ;
when they did, the journey was made on horseback,
and for the saddle they had their hackneys, or hunters.
It is somewhat difficult to distinguish very clearty be-
tween the hunter and hackney of that age, for both
were usually possessed of more or less blood, and the
best hackneys were good hunters.
Carriages for any other purposes than the transport-
ation of merchandise were comparatively unknown,
and the heavy draft horse, being the only one broken
to harness, was almost universally used for all farm or
similar work. Coaches as a public means of convey-
ance, were first used in France and England about
1G20 ; but they were long in coming into general use,
and in 1637 only fifty hackney coaches were licensed
in London. From this time the number rapidly in-
creased, and in 1778 there were twenty-three thousand
CONTRAST BETWEEN" THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 33
in England. These were all hackney, and not mail
coaches. The first mail coach started from London
for Bristol the 2d day of August, 1784. In forty
years from that time the English mail-coaches travelled
nearly thirteen thousand miles per day, and the num-
ber of miles travelled daily by hackney coaches
largely exceeded this. The opening of canals in
France about two hundred, and in England about one
hundred years since, caused a great decrease in the
demand for heavy draft horses, and the attention of
breeders was turned to horses for coaches, which were
then just coming into use. The introduction of steam
power upon railways some twenty -five years since, soon
superseded the use of coaches on all the great thorough-
fares, and produced a vast change in the kind of service
required of horses on the road.
The roads relieved from the heavy coaches that be-
ing drawn at a rapid rate kept them in bad condition,
were much improved, and consequently much better
fitted for the movement of light carriages at a high
speed. Formerly the English mail was thought to
travel at a rate that defied all competition, but to the
traveller upon the railways, ten miles an hour seemed
but a moderate pace, and horsemen, emulous of steam,
made every effort to increase the speed of light car-
riage horses. Horses differing from the old coach
horse in size, the slope of the shoulders, and style of
action, grew rapidly in demand. But the English have
not the same taste for pleasure driving that our court
trymen possess, and though they take a greal deal of
exercise out of doors, it is generally on foot or in the
saddle.
2*
34 THE MORGAN HORSE.
The changes that have taken place in this country
during the last fifty years, in the kinds of service re-
quired of horses, have been more rapid and marked
than in England.
Fifty years ago almost the entire inland traffic was
carried on by means of horses. Excepting in the vicin-
ity of the large cities, the roads throughout the coun-
try were wretched, and the best consisted of no other
material than the natural soil, a little raised by ditching
at the sides, and forming the road-bed with the mate-
rial thus obtained. Even this was often neglected,
and nothing was done but to cnt down the forest, and
record in the proper office the course of the road.
When we consider that over such roads all the freight
of the country was moved upon wagons, it will not be
a matter of surprise, that the rate of travel of the
lightest carriages rarely exceeded four or five miles
per hour.
Contracts were made for carrying the mail at this
rate, and often in the thinly-settled parts of the coun-
try at even a lower speed. The wagons loaded with
merchandise, and the heavy mail coaches, kept the
roads in a condition that entirely forbade any attempt
at rapid driving with any description of carriage.
The farmers, as they were often compelled to haul
their produce long distances to find a market, required
a horse heavier than was necessary or profitable for
performing only their farm work, although the farm
work of that day was far more severe for both the farmer
and his horse, than it is now. Transporting the mails,
hauling freight, and ordinary field labor, were then
the principal services demanded of the horse. But
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 35
now the lumbering freight wagon with its long team
of slow, heavy horses, is rarely seen. The mail coach,
with all its comforts and annoyances, will be known
to the coming generation only from history. The farm-
er, instead of being compelled to transport his farm
products to the largest towns or cities, now finds a ready
market almost at his door, for, guided by science, steam
with its giant power has scaled our mountains, and
drives the locomotive cheerily through almost every
valley of our country, relieving the worn draft horse
of his load, the panting, steaming coach horse of his
mails and passengers, and bringing the dealer in produce
into almost every hamlet. Science also has greatly les-
sened the labor of tilling the soil, has substituted the
light, beautifully-shaped, and easy-running iron plow,
for the heavy, clumsy, and hard-running wooden one
of our ancestors. Every description of agricultural im-
plement has been remodelled and improved, until they
bear little resemblance to the rude instruments used
by our fathers. These improvements in all kinds of
agricultural tools, wagons, plows, harrows, &c, have
very much lightened the labors of the horse. In ad-
dition to this, the forests having been felled, the fields
cleared of the timber and stumps, and the soil being
in a higher and easier condition for cultivation, the
farmers have discovered that active, hardy horses of
medium size, are much more profitable than the large 7
slow, and clumsy animals so generally in use fifty years
ago. The former can certainly accomplish more ordi-
nary farm work than the latter. They will plow as
much in all cases except perhaps turning a stiff clay
36 THE MORGAN HORSE.
sod ; tliey will harrow more, and reap more ; they are
much easier kept, and are less liable to accidents.
When used upon the road, they are almost invari-
ably better travellers; and if selected w r ith judgment
from good stock, they are fleet and tractable.
It is probably in a great measure owing to the im-
provement in our farms, and forming tools, that horses
are now much more generally used for farm work than
they formerly w r ere. YvQien the country was new, and
the fields cumbered with huge stumps, whose tough
roots spread like a net- work through every part of the
soil, the ox was most generally used for plowing, for his
verv dulness is in such ground an advantage, as at the
most moderate pace, andwdththe utmost care, ordinary
plows and harnesses will frequently be broken, when
the plow comes in contact with the stumps or roots.
The substitution of the improved cultivator for the
hoe, the reaper for the cradle, and the threshing-ma-
chine for the flail, has rendered the horse almost indis-
pensable to the farmer in the prosecution of his calling ;
so that whatever may be the difference of opinion as
to the relative cost of keeping, amount of labor per-
formed, «fec, horses are now almost universally pre-
ferred to oxen for a farm team.
The English race-horse or thorousdi-bred is less
affected than any other class of horses, by great
changes in the modes of public conveyances, the im-
provements of roads and carriages, or the introduction
of improved implements upon the farm. Although
most of the English horses, with the exception of the
draft horse, have a greater or less infusion of blood,
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 37
yet the thorough-bred is put to no ordinary labor, but
is bred for one specific purpose, which is to win on
the race-course the stakes that are offered. The nature
of the qualities he should possess must depend on the
distance run, and the weight carried. For while the
long, leggy, light-chested horse, may be able to take a
prodigious stride, and with plenty of bone and muscle
he may carry a heavy weight a short distance at a
flight of speed ; yet he can never make four miles and
repeat with the same weight, unless he possesses a deep
roomy chest to give him wind, a more compact frame,
and a shorter leg, that he may be able to keep up
his speed without fatiguing the muscles. A century
ago there were six, and even eight-mile races at New-
market, with old horses, the ordinary races being at
four miles and repeat — now the " heavy plates " are
all offered to two and three-year-olds for short, single
races, of from one to two miles. That this is an im-
provement on the score of humanity may be true ;
but does it not tend to depreciate the horse for those
qualities that render him useful in ordinary business,
by inducing the breeder to seek for and foster those
qualities that give speed to the horse, and to neglect
those that are indispensable to give him endurance?
This would seem at a glance to be the inevitable ten ■
dency of such a change in the length of the race,
and the age of the horses. But we must not stop to
discuss this question, nor inquire into the causes
which produced this great change in the character of
English racing, however interesting such an inquiry
might prove to ourselves or the reader. It will be
sufficient for our present purpose to inquire whether
88 THE MORGAN HORSE.
there has been any change in the character of the
thorough-bred, and if so, whether it has been for bet*
ter, or worse. This latter inquiry is of the utmost im-
portance to the breeder, for in England, and in our own
country, many breeders have been accustomed to be-
lieve that direct resort to the thorough-bred was indis-
pensable to the production of a fine horse, acting from,
faith in the old adage that "blood will tell," without
stopping to inquire if that blood is still the same,
much less what is the true and proper meaning of the
expression.
That a marked change has taken place in the char-
acter of the thorough-bred, and that the change has
been a deterioration in compactness, and power of en-
durance, seems hardly to admit of a doubt.
A writer in the "American Turf Register and
Sporting Magazine," Yol. IX., p. 9, (a paper devoted to
the interest of thorough-bred stock,) tells us, that "his
size, or perhaps his height, has been much increased,
without any diminution of his blood-like appearance,
but he has lost that full, round carcase and compact
form, which belonged to the horses of the olden time —
and if as they now believe they have increased the
speed, stride, and capacity to carry weight for short
single-heat races, they have not increased their powers
of endurance, or enabled them to run long repeating
races at short intervals."
Thomas Emory of Maryland, certainly a most criti-
cal and competent judge of all the points requisite to
the perfect race-horse, in a letter to the same paper,
Yol. IX., p. 126, says : " The result of my examination
was disappointment in my expectations of English
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 39
race-horses. There are here and there a few specimens
of the race-horse of the very highest order, but the
proportion of the trash to the good, is greatly beyond
what I expected, and it is wonderful with what per-
tinacity some of the breeders stick to their trash. * *
* * * They breed for speed and ability to carry high
weights at an early age for short distances ; and many
01 them acknowledge their error, and admit they may
ere long have to come to our country for hard-bot-
tomed horses. * * * * At Doncaster, I saw sold
the produce of several of the large breeding studs in
the contiguous counties; a few of them were good
colts, many of them leggy, weedy animals, and more
than half of them were so badly splented at one and
two years old, as to destroy their value.
" This splenting at this age unbroke I could not ac-
count for, and could find no one who could, but there
it seemed a matter of course and nobody seemed sur-
prised at it. It was new to me."
In an essay on the improvement of horses published
in the " Farmer's Magazine " (London) for 1845, the
writer says the qualities required in the business horse
" are speed and endurance, with the capability of car-
rying heavy weight, with varied pace, through deep
ground across a broken country ; and in order that
they should possess these capabilities they should have
what are commonly termed in hunter's phraseology
bone, muscle, and compactness. * * *
" It would appear that our blood stock formerly pos-
sessed these characteristics in an eminent degree ; and
by reference to former sporting publications, it will be
seen that they were shorter in the leg, and capable of
40 THE MORGAN HORSE.
carrying heavy weights, and running long distances
now they run with light weights and short distances,
where bottom is not so necessary. Our fleetest racers
were then what are now called small horses, which
means that they were not the tall, lengthy, leggy
racers of the present day, but compact, muscular, and
remarkable for their capabilities of carrying heavy
weight, and power of endurance."
Mr. Lawrence, in his " Treatise on the Horse," Yol.
I., page 105, says, in speaking of those thorough-Breds
that fail to be winners : "As to the refuse of our studs
of race-horses, it consists usually of a parcel of half-
gotten, delicate, weak, spider-legged creatures, which
it is a misery to see applied to any labor whatever."
Similar extracts might be multiplied indefinitely,
but the foregoing seem amply sufficient to establish the
fact, that the thorough-bred, or race-horse, is less com-
pact, hardy, and enduring than formerly. It is such
evidence that must establish what are the qualities of
a breed of horses, and individual instances of animals
of the breed-exhibiting qualities Avidely different from
those described as characteristic of their kind, whether
better or worse, are only to be regarded as exceptions
to a general law.
The English hunter has undergone a change equally
marked, and similar to the race-horse. The field sports
now indulged in by the gentry of England, differ ma-
terially from those of their ancestors. The chase of the
present day is a short, but spirited and exciting race
of a few hours.
It is now a common custom for the huntsmen to
have an extra horse ridden by a light jockey, who.
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 41
keeping far enough in the rear to avoid the circuitous
course of the hounds by watching their turnings, and
by riding at only a moderate pace, is thus at frequent
intervals at hand to give his master a fresh horse, in
exchange for his blown and exhausted one. Thus
fresh-mounted, the chase is continued at a dashing pace,
and the already heated and panting fox is soon run
over, and the day's sport is ended at an early hour.
The noble sport of hunting was a far different amuse-
ment with the English gentleman of the seventeenth
century, and taxed to the utmost the power of endur-
ance both of man and horse. The earliest light of
morning found them gathered in the field, and the
shadows of evening often put an end to the chase. If
the pace was less rapid, and the sport less exciting, the
former was much longer continued, and the latter was
certainly more noble and manly. From this change
in the character of the field sports, it can easily be un-
derstood why the horse who brought his rider "in at
the death of the stag," at the close of a hard day's
run over broken hills, marshy -valleys, and through
tangled forests, should differ materially from one
equally successful in the short, but furious chase of
the present day.
The hunter of the olden time was remarkable for his
stoutness and endurance, was rarely more than half,
and often not more than a quarter, thorough-bred ; he
was short in the leg and back, with deep flanks, and
muscular hips and loins ; his stride was short, compared
with the hunter of the present day, but he was sure
footed, and his step was elastic, nervous, and untiring.
The hunter of the present day is rarely less than three-
42 THE MORGAN HORSE.
quarters thorough-bred, is taller, longer, less compact,
and sinewy, and takes a much longer stride.
The thorough-bred having, as we have shown, be-
come taller, longer, and less compact and enduring
than formerly, and the hunter having now more of
this blood than formerly, it is plain that he must have
altered still more in these respeccts.
A writer in "Bell's Life in London," in 1845, says:
" It is not near so easy now as it used to be, to buy a
good, strong, young hunter." William Goodwin, Vete-
rinary Surgeon to the Queen, in an article published
in the "London Veterinarian," for February, 1847, says :
" It is an admitted fact by all those conversant with the
horse market in England, that good horses were never
known to be so scarce as they now are * * * *
it being but too true that the superior riding horse or
valuable hunter has become almost a vara avis as
compared with former days."
The increase of blood seems not only to have injured
the hunter, but also the carriage and road horse. Pro-
fessor Gibson, of Philadelphia, an admirer and critical
judge of the horse, thus speaks of English horses.
After saying that it is not uncommon to meet with
English dealers at the Irish fairs, buying horses for
the English markets, he continues: "The English
horse, indeed, within the last twenty years has degen-
erated so much, in some respects, as not to serve the
many useful purposes to which be was accustomed at
that period, owing to breeders having run too much
upon blood. On this account it is now hardly possible
to meet with any of the old stock of hunters so large
and powerful, and with so much bone and sinew. * * *
CONTKAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SEKVICE. 43
Even the carriage horses, indeed, throughout every part
of England, are conspicuous for their long, low necks,
slab sides, and spindle shanks, and are very inferior as
a race to our own stock for the same purposes."
We have not a class of horses in this country corre-
sponding to the English hunter, but we have the Eng-
lish thorough-bred ; and as we have from time to time
imported breeding animals from England; a similar
change has taken place in our thorough-bred horses.
This change may not have been so great with us, as
the causes which we believe to have produced that
change are here less active. ISTo one who has paid any
attention to the subject can have failed to notice that
for the last twenty years racing has steadily declined
in this country. We do not intend to assert that less
speed is attained now than in the days of Henry and
Eclipse, but that far less interest is now taken in these
contests, especially in the Northern and Middle States.
The trotter has been steadily supplanting the racer
upon the road and turf.
This change, instead of being matter of surprise,
seems to us the natural result of the substitution of the
lisht buggy for the saddle. For the latter service the
thorough-bred is eminently adapted ; for the former,
he is not so well fitted.
CHAPTER III.
DESCRIPTION OF THE KIND OP HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR IN THS
PRINCIPAL MARKETS OF THE COUNTRY.
The uses to winch the horses sold in the principal
markets of our country are put, are hauling omnibuses,
hacks, driving in light carriages, and trucking, or
moving freight from place to place, in the large towns
or cities. Some horses are still used under the saddle,
but the number thus employed in the Northern States
is comparatively very small, and in New England a
person is rarely seen on horseback.
At the South, horseback riding is still a common
mode of travelling, but light buggies are rapidly com-
ing into use, and will undoubtedly soon afford the
favorite means of conveyance, on account of the many
conveniences they offer — the comparative protection
from the weather, the facility for carrying light pack-
ages and ordinary personal baggage, added to the fact
that with a light carriage upon good roads, a single
horse easily performs the work of two under the sad-
dle.
Though it is undoubtedly true, yet we cannot but
regret, that our countrymen at the North are losing all
taste for the manly and healthful exercise of horseback
riding.
All writers upon the subject of the proper mode of
(44)
'-^r,y,?&: - ■■
'GREEN MOUNTAIN.
ROMEO
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 45
living, urge upon us, in the strongest language, the im-
portance of this exercise, as one most conducive to
health, and there are certainly few exercises more
graceful or exciting. The healthful excitement pro-
duced by this exercise, in a bracing atmosphere, must
have been felt by the writer of the following beautiful
lines, or he would have been unable to describe its
effects so graphically and beautifully. It was first pub-
lished in 1832, over the signature of "Idler," in the
"American Turf Begister and Sporting Magazine,"
Vol. III., page 512 :
MY HORSE.
" With a glancing eye and curving mane,
He neighs and champs on the bridle-rein,
One spring, and his saddled back I press,
And ours is a common happiness !
'Tis the rapture of motion — a hurrying cloud
When the loosened winds are breathing loud ; —
A shaft from the painted Indian's bow, —
A bird — in the pride of speed we go.
" Dark thoughts that haunt me, where are ye now,
While the cleft air gratefully cools my brow,
And the dizzy earth seems reeling by,
And naught is at rest but the arching sky,
And the tramp of my steed, so swift and strong,
Is dearer than fame and sweeter than song ?
*■' There is life in the breeze as we hasten on ;
With each bound some care of earth has gone,
And the languid pulse begins to play,
And the night of my soul is turned to day.
A richer verdure the earth o'erspreads,
Sparkles the streamlet more bright in the meads ;
And its voice, to the flowers that bend above,
Is soft as the whisper of early love.
46 THE MORGAN HORSE.
With fragrance spring-flowers have burdened the <u*.
And the blue-bird and robin are twittering clear.
" Lovely tokens of gladness, I marked ye not
When last I roamed o'er this self same spot.
Ah ! then the deep shadows of Sorrow's mien
Fell like a blight on the happy scene,
And Nature, with all her love and grace,
In the depths of the spirit could find no place.
" So the vexed breast of the mountain lake,
When wind and rain mad revelry make,
Turbid and gloomy and wildly tossed,
Eetains no trace of the beauty lost :
But when through the moist air, bright and warm,
The sun looks down with his golden charm,
And clouds have fled, and the wind is lull,
Oh ! then the changed lake, how beautiful !
" The glistening trees in their shady ranks,
And the ewe, with her lamb along its banks,
And the king-fisher, perched on the withered bough,
And the pure blue heaven all pictured below !
" Bound proudly, my steed ; nor bound proudly in vain,
Since thy master is now himself again.
And thine be the praise, when the leech's power
Is idle, to conquer the darkened hour —
By the might of thy sounding hoof, to win
Beauty without and and a joy within ;
Beauty, else to my eyes unseen,
And joy, that then had a stranger been."
The demand for saddle horses is so small, that verj
few breeders make any effort to raise animals suited to
this service, and even if the demand were much greater,
it would hardly prove profitable ; for it is difficult, by
the most skilful breeding, to produce horses that will
HOKSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 47
have the natural paces that are usually deemed indis-
pensable to a good saddle horse. It is a slow and la-
borious process to teach a horse to move in a gait
altogether unnatural to him, and, however well he may
be trained, he cannot move easily in it.
The horses best adapted to, and most sought, for om-
nibus and hack use, are of medium size, weighing from
ten to eleven hundred pounds. "Very many of them
weigh less than ten hundred pounds. For hacks they do
very well at nine hundred and fifty pounds, but for
omnibus service, ten hundred is about the minimum
size with buyers when the market is well supplied. As
omnibuses are usually heavily loaded, and drawn at a
moderate rate, it might at first seem advisable to use
horses of much larger size. It would, perhaps, be more
economical if the carriages were drawn over common
earth roads ; but the road is usually a hard, uneven
pavement, and the heavy horse soon breaks up his
feet, injures his knees, and becomes unfit for use.
Large horses have not, as a general thing, as good feet
as smaller ones, and the omnibus horse, however good
his feet and knees, is very apt to injure them. To us,
it is a matter of astonishment that they withstand as
well as they do, the constant pounding upon the flinty
pavements. For this reason, the well-formed horse,
weighing from ten to eleven hundred pounds, is pre-
ferred to a larger animal for omnibus-work. The same
objection applies, only with greater force, to the large
horse for the hack ; for in the latter carriage, the load
is less and the speed greater.
The horse best suited to hack service, is well adapt-
ed to a vast many kinds of business. He must be
48 THE MORGAN" HORSE.
hardy and enduring, a good, free driver, with high car-
riage, and easy action; in short, he must be a good
roadster. He must also be "kind at a pull," for he will
occasionally be put to one ; he must be quiet and fear-
less, for he will be frequently required to stand by the
roadside hours at a time, and he will be driven where
. there are ten thousand things to frighten and annoy
him. With all these good qualities, his owner will find
him dull of sale if his feet and limbs are not super-
latively good, for to no animal are they as indispensa-
ble as to the city hack or livery horse. He is con-
stantly driven rapidly over roads harder than iron.
Often after being heated by fast driving, he will be left
to cool with his feet standing in cold water, or with a
stiff northwester blowing on him, and unless his feet
and constitution are both perfectly sound, he will be
soon used up.
The omnibus or coach horse may be straighter in the
shoulder, and heavier in the forehand, than would be
at all pleasant in the buggy horse, without detracting
from his usefulness ; but most coach and omnibus own-
ers prefer a horse of high carriage, good action, and line
style ; and it is very certain that such horses always
sell readily for such service, even if doctors do not all
agree that their form is the very best for their work.
For truck horses there is usually a fair demand.
For this service, a heavy horse is best adapted, and
perhaps the heavier he is the better, provided he is
compact, well proportioned, with good limbs and feet.
For this kind of service speed is not required, and the
most important requisites are a good constitution,
good figure, a quiet temper, and a moderately-quick
walk.
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 49
Fine, large, well-matched horses, such as are used by
men of fortune in the cities before their showy car-
riages, are always in demand, and command high
prices ; but the number of horses in use for this service
is comparatively small, and their labor being very light,
they live to a good age, and do not require to be often
replaced, as is the case with horses put to more severe
service.
Horses that may be called " Sporting Horses," are
still less numerous, and always command high prices.
In all the Northern cities, by the term sporting horse
is generally understood a fast-trotting horse ; but at
the South, by the same term is generally understood a
race-horse. It is extremely difficult to say just what
rate of speed entitles a trotting horse to the distinction
of " sporting horse," and if it could be stated to a sec-
ond, it would be of no importance, for the standard
must be constantly changing, so long as the speed of
our road horses goes on increasing ; for it is not the
power to go a given distance, within a given time, that
gives a horse this distinction, but the power to " do it"
relatively quick, or quicker than the majority of the
horses he meets on the turf.
A few years since, a horse that could trot his mile
inside of three minutes, could fairly lay claim to this
distinction ; but now persons will rarely take the
trouble to record his time if he cannot do it several
seconds within that. We think it safe to say, that no
horse can lay claim to the title of a sporting horse that
cannot make his single mile in three minutes, and
unless he can do much better than that he will not be
called "fast." The true sporting horse is valuable
3
60 THE MOEGAN HORSE.
mainly on account of his speed ; and symmetry of form
and elegance of style are but little considered provided
he can " make time."
In all the cities and large towns there is a great
demand for horses similar to those used in omnibuses,
hacks, and livery stables : namely, for express wagons,
butchers' carts, milk carts, bakers' carts, &c, &c, and
the horse that is best adapted to any one of these uses
will be well suited to all the rest. A horse suited to
these kinds of service, should possess an iron constitu-
tion, for he will be put to the severest kind of labor,
and without this, all other good points will be of little
service to him, for he will soon break down. His feet
and limbs must be unexceptionable, for he will be
driven rapidly over flinty roads, with little regard to
the ascent or descent of the ground, and if they are
not superlatively good, corns, sand-crack, thrush,
founder, broken knees, &c, one or all of them, will be
sure to result.
Horses suitable for driving in light carriages are
in great demand, and in our agricultural fairs are
classed as " Roadsters." Pleasure-driving has become
a national amusement, and one for which a growing
passion is to be noticed among all classes of our citi-
zens.
This may undoubtedly be partly attributed to th<7
easy circumstances of our tradesmen and mechanics,
enabling most of them to indulge in sports and amuse-
ments involving but a moderate expense, such foi
instance as the keeping of a bird-dog and gun, for a
few days recreation in the- summer, and in the luxury
of a fine driving horse, with which they give their
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 51
wives and children an occasional airing. The im-
portance of this peculiarly American amusement can
hardly be over-estimated; it affords a mode of recrea-
tion both for the mind and body, of the most pleasant
and useful kind. The physician recommends it to the
invalid and hypochondriac, and the lovers of nature and
the moralist seek it as their favorite mode of amuse-
ment. It performs the two-fold office of strengthening
the body, and invigorating the mind.
Who has not felt the glow of pleasant excitement,
and the new impulse given the blood in his veins, by
a short drive of a few miles, after a good horse ? "Walk-
ing is by no means a substitute for it — the fact of the
rapid motion, and the - multiplicity of objects met and
passed, constantly calling our attention to objects, only
to be left again for others, each suggesting thoughts so
fugitive and electrical, gives a relief to the wearied
faculties which nothing else can give.
In the increase of the population of our country,
there is of course a corresponding increase in the num-
ber of mechanics and professional men, whose business
is all carried on within the walls of their offices and
shops. To these, who form a large share of our popu-
lation, this mode of exercise is most pleasant and
healthy. The mechanic and merchant, after the labors
of their callings, do not want recreation that will make
new draughts upon their physical energies, but that
which will give them rest at the same time that it
gives them entertainment — invigorating them as well
as affording relief from fatigue.
Doctors seem well agreed that any exercise taken
62 THE MORGAN HORSE.
for one's health, to be in the highest degree beneficial,
must be entertaining.
Riding always has an interest within itself — the ex-
citement of the rapid motion, the spirit and beauty of
the horse, the persons we meet, the hills, the streams,
the trees, all give a life and ecstasy to the exercise, that
cheers and vivifies even the invalid. We had it at
our pen's end to make a few remarks on the import-
ance of this exercise for ladies, but for several cogent
reasons have determined to postpone them to a more
convenient season. First, because we are distrustful of
our ability to throw any more light upon this veteran
subject. Second, we fear we should be trespassing
upon ground that belongs by right of possession to the
orthodox lecturers upon the subject of physical culture ;
and thirdly, we firmly believe that the announcement
of such an intention would cause four-fifths of our
readers to skip the rest of this chapter, which we intend
shall yet contain some important matter.
In addition to the amusement that our citizens derive
from their fine horses, and light buggies, most of them
make their horses useful in a variety of ways. The
merchant of moderate means often keeps him con-
stantly employed in delivering packages of goods to
his customers, moving his wares from the railroad
depot to his store, and often driving him into the coun-
try collecting his accounts, and visiting his customers.
Mechanics find him useful in a variety of ways. In
the prosecution of their trades, many of them are often
called to practice their art at places distant from their
shops, and but for their horse the time that would be
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 53
necessarily occupied in going and returning on foot,
would, in many instances, prevent their attending such
orders, or they would do so at little profit. The me-
chanic, too, has a great variety of materials to move
to his shop, and from his shop to his customers, and
very many similar services, or chores, that his driv-
ing horse can do, not only without injury, but with
very decided benefit. To any housekeeper, how
many small sums that would otherwise be paid for
omnibus-fare, to truckmen, expressmen and porters,
may be saved by keeping a good driving horse.
We clo not wish, it to be inferred that, considered
only as a matter of economy, we think it would be
profitable for every family to keep a horse, for the
sole purpose of performing these small services; we
wish merely to show how any family can indulge
in the luxury of keeping a good horse, at a far less
actual expense than might at first seem necessary.
To the butcher and the baker, a good horse is indis-
pensable to the transaction of their daily business ; and
though it would seem that the butcher's horse might,
without detracting from his usefulness, be a little
straighter in the shoulder, a little duller in his paces,
and a little heavier in the forehand, than would be
desirable in the light driving horse, yet the butcher
thinks very differently ; in fact, there seems to be a
perfect passion among this class of tradesmen for a
high-headed, smooth-stepping, and fast-going horse;
indeed, so great is the emulation between them, that
they will often incur great expense to obtain a " crack
goer." It is a common saying, that " a butcher always
drives a trotter," and many a fast young man, just
54 THE MORGAN HORSE.
commencing his explorations in the direction of Por-
ter's, Brighton, or the country beyond the head of
Third Avenue, who has pulled out his nag with the
utmost confidence to pass a lumbering butcher's wagon,
has discovered to his mortification that they were not
the safest kind of cattle to "challenge for a brush."
We think the horse well adapted to the wants of the
merchant and mechanic, may be fairly considered a
good type of the "horse of all work," or business
horse.
Before proceeding to describe what we consider
should be the distinguishing characteristics of such
animals, let us fully understand what is meant by the
term "horse of all work," since it has come into very
general use, and is frequently used by Agricultural
Societies in this country to denote a class of horses.
By this term we understand that kind of horse which is
best adapted to general use— to work on a farm, to go
to mill, or to meeting, to haul a coach, or a buggy, to
work in the field, or go a journey. This is certainly
the natural meaning, and we should not have thought
any explanation necessary, had it not sometimes been
understood to mean such a horse as is best fitted for
each of these different kinds of service.
To describe fully and correctly, all the qualities that
should be found in the horse of all work, or business
horse, requires that we should enter somewhat into
details, for he must come up to a given standard in a
greater variety of points than the horse for any other
service. It is true, that many of his good qualities
should be found in all really valuable horses, whatever
be the service to which they are put. To illustrate our
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 65
meaning : the good business horse must be a fine
roadster; but a fine roadster may not necessarily be a
good business horse, for he may lack that docility of
temper, that quietness, and perfect tractability, that the
latter should invariably possess.
First of all, the business horse should be compact.
Youatt defines compactness to be: "as much goodness
and strength as possible in a little space." Without
this he cannot have endurance and hardiness of consti-
tution. Next to compactness of form, he should have
good limbs — a little larger than the hunter's, but the
increased size should be in bone and muscle, and not
in meat or hair. The limbs should be short, and the
fore and hind-legs should have a proper adaptation to
one another; that is, he should not have short fore-legs
and long hind-legs, nor should he have short hind-legs
and long fore-legs, as there should be little difference in
the height of the hips and the withers, though the
withers should be the highest. Horses that are highest
on the hips labor much in ascending hills, though
on level or descending ground they may have greater
speed, but they are very liable to stumble, and are
usually low-headed and heavy in hand. The fore-legs,
upon which mainly depends the safety and ease of the
animal's movements, should be well spread at the chest,
to give ample room for the full development and action
of the vital organs. Measured at the chest, they should
be a little wider from outside to outside than at the pas-
terns ; but this difference should be owing to the promi-
nence of the muscle of the fore-arm, more than to the
general inclination of the legs inward, or towards each
other. This general inclination of the fore-legs towards
56 THE MORGAN HORSE.
each other, must be slight and barely noticeable, as much
deviation from the perpendicular is a serious defect.
The legs must be straight, bending neither outward nor
inward at the knee, for all horses with such limbs have
imperfect action, are inclined to cut (or interfere), and
travel either upon the inside or outside of the foot. The
fore-arm should be long, and viewed from the side,
should be wide at the top, tapering gradually to the
knee, with the muscle swelling out plump and full, par-
ticularly in front. The knees should be wide and flat,
free from flesh, clean and compact, with the hinder-bone
prominent. The knees being less liable to injury than
the hocks, too little attention is generally paid to their
form, and provided they are not " sprung," the purchaser
is generally satisfied. The cannon (or the bone between
the knee and the fetlock,) should be short and free from
meat ; the back sinews should be large and flinty, and
should stand well out from the bone. Viewed from the
front, the legs should be thin ; viewed from the side, they
should be wide and sinewy. The contrary formation, or
"tied in back sinews," is a very serious defect, and it is
almost impossible that horses with this conformation
should be capable of great endurance. The fetlock
should not be round, but rather wide, and thicker in
front than behind. The pasterns should be short, not
upright nor very sloping, for if upright, the joints will
be liable to injury from the concussion attending every
step ; and if, on the other hand, long and sloping, it
denotes weakness.
Mr. Hinds, in his work on Farriery, s&js : " Horses
having long and sloping pasterns soon tire, and I may
say are generally weak, having the flexor tendon or
HOESES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 57
back sinews considerably relaxed." It is impossible to
describe exactly what should be the length and slope
of the pasterns. In horses intended for very fast work
the pastern should be moderately long and sloping, as
it gives more elasticity to the step and ability to take a
long stride. Large horses should have more sloping
pasterns than smaller ones, as their greater weight
will add to the concussion in travelling. The hoof
should be nearly round, open at the heel, smooth and
hard, but not brittle, without any bunches or depres-
sions in front, or at the quarters ; should be straight in
front from the hair to the toe, and not be too high
behind.
The shoulders should be long and oblique, thin
and flat at the withers, the point pretty low and well
forward. They can hardly be too oblique for the
road horse, and are not objectionable except when the
horse is wanted for heavy and constant draught. The
hips should be long, wide and muscular, the croup a
little sloping, the quarters full, wide at the stifle, the
stifle-joint well forward, and the muscles of the thigh
should continue plump and full, well down to the hock.
The hock should be wide, short, free from all lumps,
the muscles connected with it clearly defined, and the
point should be long. Below the hock, the hind-legs
should resemble the fore-legs; they should descend
perpendicularly, and the hocks should not be nearer
together than the fetlocks ; it is less objectionable to
have the fetlocks nearer together than the hocks, but
the nearer they approach the perpendicular the better.
With such formed shoulders as we have described,
the neck will almost invariably be well-placed, and the
3*
58 THE MORGAN HORSE.
head carried high. The neck should be of moderate
length, tapering well towards the head, slightly crown-
ing on top, and very slightly curved underneath. On
such shaped necks, the head is almost invariably well
placed, with the muzzle neither too high, nor too low,
not too much projected forward, nor too much drawn
in towards the chest. When the neck is very short,
the horse is apt to be heavy in hand, and want sensi-
tiveness to the rein ; it also gives the animal an awkward
and uncouth appearance. The head should be small,
lean, and tapering rapidly from the jowls to the muzzle ;
the jowls should be thin, but muscular, and the jaws
well apart. The profile should be straight, neither
"hollow -faced" or "Eoman nosed" — both are unsightly,
and the Eoman nosed horse rarely has a good nostril ;
the forehead should be long and broad, the muzzle
thin, the lips small and firm, and the nostril full and
prominent, showing a bright red membrane on the
inside. But the eye and ear are the most important
features of the head, and it is from these chiefly that
we form our opinion of the horse's temper and disposi-
tion. The eyes should be placed wide apart, should
be full, large, and prominent, with an expression which
it is almost impossible to describe, for it is susceptible
of almost as many different shades as the eye of man.
It should be roving, bold, and eager, but mild and
pleasant ; the lids should be well open when at rest, for
horses who keep the lids partly closed will generally be
found dull in their paces, and sullen in their tempers.
The ears should be small, clean, free from many long
hairs on the inside, be thin and upright, and have a
fine taper from the root to the tip, which should be
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 59
pointed and turned a little inward. It is not a serious
objection that they are a little large, provided they are
upright, fine and lively. They should set well apart
but not very wide, for when close together they indi-
cate a timid and skittish disposition, ^and when very
wide, they are generally thought to indicate a sluggish
and stubborn temper; besides this objection, when very
wide apart, they set so much on the side of the head
that they appear unsightly, being inclined to lean out
and become " lop-eared." The back should be short
and nearly straight, the withers high and thin ; the body
should be deep at the shoulder, the barrel round, the
ribs starting from the back-bone in a direction nearly
horizontal, forming what is called a broad back ; the
back and hips should be well joined or coupled; there
should be no depression just forward of the hip-bones,
but it should keep up plump and full ; the loins should
be wide and muscular, and the hindermost rib should
come out near to the hip-bone, such horses being called
" well-ribbed uft." The flanks should be deep and full.
The mane should be pretty long and thick, but not so
long and thick as to appear heavy. The tail should
be full, heavy, and carried well up. He should be be-
tween fourteen and a halfj and fifteen and a half hands
high — rather a little under than much above this height,
and should weigh about ten hundred and fifty pounds ;
his hair should be short, soft and glossy.
Such an animal, we should expect, would prove him-
self a fine roadster ; but we might be disappointed, for
though we think it cannot be successfully denied, that
such a form as we have described would be well adapted
60 THE MORGAN HORSE.
for easy motion, and endurance on the road ; yet lie
might not, after all, have the requisite courage and
nervous energy ; he might take up his feet too high
and put them down with a sort of thrust, which requires
a great and useless expenditure of muscular exertion,
besides wearing the whole system by the constant and
unnecessary jar; or he might have some other awkward-
ness of gait that would prove a serious objection. Nor
can we always judge correctly of a horse's courage and
spirit from the closest examination, without a trial of
his powers.
An English writer, in speaking of this matter, says :
" Equally true is it, that after we have approved of the
proportions of a pair of horses, in respect to bone and
build, certain powers of lastingness are frequently dis-
covered to be possessed by one so much beyond his
mate, that we are compelled to admit these powers do
reside in something else than his build." So true,
indeed, is it that the power of endurance — the courage
that never flinches while a breath can be drawn — cannot
always be discovered except by actual trial, that some
of those horses which have performed the most aston-
ishing feats on record, were passed for years by the best
horsemen as animals possessed of no extraordinary
powers. The great Eclipse, whose very name is used
as synonymous with greatest speed and endurance, was
cast by the Duke of Cumberland, when a colt, on ac-
count of his apparent deformity, and was sold by him
for forty-five guineas. In addition to his apparent
deformity, he was a thick-winded horse, or in other
words, a " roarer." Yet in four-mile races he distanced,
HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 61
with, the greatest ease, the finest horses upon the English
turf. Our description, therefore, would be incomplete,
without describing his gait and temper.
In harness, when the reins are taken up, and he is
told to go (he should not start before), he should raise
his head a little above its position when at rest, keep it
there steadily and quietly, and move off nimbly, with
a light, but steady, and yielding pressure upon the bit.
His feet should be raised only enough to clear the ordi-
nary inequalities of the ground, carried well forward
in straight lines, swinging neither out nor in, and be
set down evenly, so that the entire sole comes upon the
ground at the same time. If the heel is set down first,
it is liable to injury from the tenderness of the parts ;
and if the toe is set clown first, the horse will almost
always prove a stumbler. The fore-legs should bend
well at the knee, instead of the legs being raised prin-
cipally by the movement of the shoulder-joint, and the
leg carried stiffly forward, causing an unsteadiness of
motion and a sort of rolling from side to side. The
hind-legs should take up light and quick, be carried
well forward under the body, and should have a pecu-
liar, nervous, springy "pick-up," but without any
hitching, or twitching of the muscles of the haunches.
The step should not be long, and yet it may be too
short; observation can alone determine when this is
right. This much is certain, that when there is an ap-
parent effort to reach the full length of his step, it is too
long ; and when there is any cutting off of the natural
stride, as is the case with the foundered horse, it is too
short.
Of color, we shall only say, that he should have some
62 THE MORGAN HORSE.
dark coior, for this is so entirely a matter of taste that
any remarks we might offer would, after all, be little
more than an assertion of our own preference, and we
have sometimes been inclined to adopt the creed of a
thorough horseman of our acquaintance, which is, that
" a good horse is always of a good color."
Such a horse as we have attempted to describe, we
feel the greatest confidence in asserting, will prove ad-
mirably adapted to all ordinary kinds of service. When
used upon the road, he moves off easily, quietly, and
freely, without the least disposition to fret, at a lively
pace, on a pleasant rein ; but when roused a trifle by
an increased pull upon the bit, and an urging word, his
head raises higher, his eye dilates, and he is at once a
full hand for the best horseman ; the taller, more open
built, and longer horse, with a long, reaching stride,
may easily dash by him at the first start in the morning,
but if their course is the same, and the journey be con-
tinued for a day or a week, he will have ample oppor-
tunity to renew the acquaintance. Such horses will be
hardy, rarely affected with any complaint, easily kept
in good condition, will be always ready for use, and
easily taught to perform almost any kind of service,
with ease to themselves, and pleasure to their owners.
CHAPTEE IV.
PECULIAR ADAPTATION OF THE MORGAN HORSE TO THE ROAD AND
GENERAL USE.
In the foregoing chapter we have endeavored to de-
scribe what we considered should be the form and char-
acteristics of the business horse, or horse of all work.
Assuming that the reader is satisfied with the general
soundness of the views there expressed, we now proceed
to compare the Morgan horse with the standard of ex-
cellence we have there set up. First, as to compactness of
form : This we have considered a primary and indispens-
able requisite in the business horse, and in this respect
the Morgan particularly excels ; his body is not remark-
ably long, but round and deep at the chest, the quarters
large and full, the shoulders and hips well shaped, the
loins wide and muscular, the flanks deep, and the whole
form' swelling with muscle and life.
There is not a single feature of his frame but gives
unmistakable evidence of his vigorous health, and iron
constitution ; and though he has been, and is still, prin-
cipally bred in the States of Vermont and New Hamp-
shire — States that are notoriously hilly and mountain-
ous, and where consequently every description of work
to which he is put is more than ordinarily laborious —
yet he is remarkably long-lived, and in his age retains
his spirit and vigor.
(83)
64: THE MORGAN HORSE.
Still another evidence of the soundness of his con-
stitution is found in his almost universal freedom from
every species of disease. Before railroads had taken the
place of the stages, a great many of these horses could
be found in various parts of New England that had
been running for several years before a mail-coach, yet
were perfectly sound, in vigorous health, and still as
free in spirit as when first broken to harness. We
have seen them running daily in the stage in fine con-
dition when twenty years old, making daily trips of
sixteen miles each in two hours, over a broken and
mountainous country.
A single instance will illustrate both their endurance
and style of going. A few years since, late in the
month of September, in company with several gentle-
men, we made a trip to the White Mountains. Having
made the customary examinations in the orthodox way,
we arrived late one evening at the Franconia " Notch
House." Here we learned that the stage would leave
for St. Johnsbury the following morning on its last
trip of the season.
This being the route we proposed to take, we en-
gaged our seats, and the following morning about 9
o'clock, six good-sized individuals (besides the driver),
with our baggage, were stowed away in a snug, rugged
looking stage-wagon, to which was attached a pair of
horses of medium size.
The near horse was of a deep chestnut color, abou*
fourteen and a half hands high, very closely and com
pactly made, with clean, small head, and exceedingly
small ears, set pretty wide apart, but very lively and
active. The other animal was a gray mare of about
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 65
the same weight, but at least half a hand higher. She
had a fine long hip, and a good hind leg, her shoulders
were well shaped, better at the with rs than the horse,
and she was on the whole a very fair animal, although
her general muscular development was decidedly in-
ferior to that of her mate.
We all objected to starting with so small a team
oyer the hilly country we knew we had to cross ; but
these remonstrances availing nothing, my companion
and I, who occupied the front seat, fell to discussing
the chances of getting on with our " infant team," as
he called it, and from this to discussing the relative
merits of our nags. The mare was restive, eager and
impatient, and my friend declared with great confi-
dence that all horse-flesh of her dimensions could do,
she would.
My own fancy had been taken by the full, brilliant,
but pleasant eyes, that stood out large and full, the
ever-restless ears, and the strong muscular loins and
quarters of the chestnut. Accordingly I proposed to
"back the horse," much to the amusement of most of
the party. Our driver, after several " false starts" from
the bar-room, finally took up the reins and "gave
them the word."
The mare dashed ahead as if she would pull the
driver from his seat. The horse struck out with a
short, nervous step, but did not seem much inclined to
pull, or move at any but a moderate pace. The mare
took us along over the first half mile almost entirely
by the bit, and my companions had a hearty laugh at
my chestnut horse.
A half hour passed, and with it some five miles of
66 THE MORGAN HORSE.
our road. By this time " bets were not so freely
offered on the mare ;" she had fallen off in her pace,
prespired freely, moved unsteadily, and every few
moments gave her head a toss that plainly told she
was beginning to lose her relish for the work. The day
was hot. The horse had worked more freely as he
grew warm, but not a muscle moved — save those of
his ears — which was not indispensably necessary to
give him motion. Thus we kept on for about twelve
or fourteen miles to the end of the first stage, the mare
fully satisfied, and panting with heat and exertion.
Here we were to have a fresh team, but one of them
being very lame from a sprain, the driver put in only
one, and drove the chestnut through to St. Johnsbury.
This seemed pretty hard, but the horse did not appear
to mind it in the least, and up the long hill as we
entered St. Johnsbury he pressed on at the same short,
nervous trot he had kept almost the entire way. As
we stepped out at the hotel we all took a good look at
him. His general appearance was that of a horse
about ten years old, but what was our surprise when
upon speaking of him to my friend Dr. S , we
learned that he was one of Sherman's sons, eighteen
years old, and had been running constantly nearly
eleven years in a stage team.
The limbs of the Morgans are large in proportion
to the size of the animal, but they are free from meat,
remarkably wide, flat, and sinewy, with the back sinews
standing well out from the bone. The joints are very
close, the pasterns short, the feet rather small, but
almost invariably excellent. A good many of them
have considerable long hair about the legs, and this
ADAPTATION TO THE KOAD, ETC. 67
we do not like, as it detracts from the beauty of the
animal, and retains the moisture about the limbs longer
after the animal has been exposed to the wet. True,
if carefully groomed, they will not be left wet, but it
is a melancholy fact that grooms are not always thus
careful. Where the limbs are otherwise unexception-
able, we do not consider this a very serious objection,
especially in horses whose legs are short, the vital
energy great, and the circulation consequently good.
The shoulders are large and muscular, the blade slop-
ing well back, the point low and well formed, and the
breast broad, giving a deep, wide, roomy chest. The
hips are long, deep, and wide, the loins are broad and
full, the thighs plump and sinewy, the muscle extend-
ed large and hard well down to the hock. The neck
is rarely very long, and sometimes hardly as long as we
should like to see it, though many excellent judges dis-
agree w T ith us in this respect, claiming that the neck
being barely long enough to make the animal pleasant in
hand, not another ounce should be added, because it is
only an unnecessary weight that must be carried, with-
out contributing anything towards the power of motion.
To a certain extent this is undoubtedly true, but we
place so high an estimate upon a good and sensitive
mouth, that we should prefer to have the neck a trifle
too long, rather than have the animal heavy in hand.
Still it must be admitted that heaviness in hand is a
very rare fault with this class of horses.
However horsemen may differ as to the perfection
or imperfection of the neck, there can be no sort of
question as to the head, which can be found as fine and
beautiful in no other breed of horses except the
!
68 THE MORGAN HORSE.
thorough-bred or Arabian. Some difference of opinion
exists among horsemen as to the size of the head, but
we think it is now the generally received opinion that
the head should be small, and all agree that it should
be lean below the jowls. The first injunction given
to the purchasers of horses for the French cavalrj^, is to
" see if he has a small head," while Mr. Hinds com-
mends the " Englishman's long-accepted description of
a good horse, and nothing else," thus: "His head
ought to be lean, of good size, and long."
The Morgan has a small, lean head, broad between
the eyes, which are prominent, bold, livety and pleasant,
full of spirit and courage, yet mild, giving evidence
of a temper at once spirited and tractable. The ears
are small and well shaped, set rather wide apart, but
are delicate and lively.
The back is short and broad, the hips well coupled,
the loins wide, and displaying on each side masses of
firm, unyielding muscle, which will satisfy the horse-
man of his ability to carry weight and endure fatigue.
Just behind the withers the back is often a little de-
pressed, and individuals are occasionally met with, in
which the depression is sufficient to warrant their being
called hollow or sway -backed. This must, by no means
be considered a characteristic, many families being
entirely free from it, and where it is found it is usually
very slight.
Where the back is very hollow we think it decidedly
objectionable; but for many purposes we think a slight
inclination to sway -back may be no disadvantage, espe-
cially where the loins are good. Youatt evidently
considers it a far less serious objection than a tendency
ADAPTATION TO THE KOAD, ETC. 69
to the opposite formation or " roach-back." This in-
clination to hollow back, where it occurs, is so slight,
and is so far from being a characteristic of the family,
that it would' hardly be deserving of notice were it not
for the fact that it has been sometimes magnified into
a universal, and of course, hereditary defect.
The origin of this mistaken notion may be easily
discovered. These horses have been bred in a portion
of the country that, until within the last few years,
was little visited by travellers, and they were little
known to horsemen abroad, except by reports of per-
sons who had visited the country, and seen the ances-
tors of the family. All the early stallions of the breed
lived to a great age, and it was not until their youth
was passed, and a numerous progeny had borne testi-
mony to their excellence, that they became objects of
interest to visitors from abroad. These horses, no
doubt, exhibited at an advanced age an appearance of
u hollow-back," and due allowance was not often made
for the advanced age of the animal ; for although well
known to most breeders, it is a fact not equally patent
to a large proportion of those who have a good eye
and taste for a fine horse, that old stallions are almost
always defective in this respect. The loins and back
of the horse, as of the dog, are the first points to show
signs of failing in his old age. Another objection that
may in some instances be properly urged against indi-
vidual members of this breed, has, by interested per-
sons, been magnified into a characteristic trait, and that
is that they are too low on the withers. This is so far
from being the fact that the opposite is the usual for-
mation in this breed, and the great rise of the withers
70 THE MORGAN HORSE.
and crest, is certainly one of the striking points of the
horse at first glance, but the withers are not always as
thin as we should like. High, thin, fine shaped with-
ers, is one of the rarest excellencies in the horse, and
no breed or family can justly lay claim to anything
like universal excellence in this particular. The rea-
son for this may perhaps be found in the fact, that less
attention is paid by breeders to this point, as it is far
less important than many others. Though excellence
in this point undoubtedly assists to give the horse easy
and safe action, yet the race-horse is very often defec-
tive in this respect. Eclipse was remarkable for his
extremely low shoulders, and many other horses distin-
guished for their performances on the turf, have exhib-
ited the same defect. The mane and tail of Morgan
horses are sometimes heavy, and often curly, but in
most cases they are only moderately so. The general
color of these horses has been much mistaken by those
who are but slightly acquainted with them. It has
often been supposed, and is by many believed to this
day, that all genuine Morgans are bay, with black legs,
manes, and tails. So far is this from being true, that it
is extremely doubtful if bay be the prevailing color,
chestnut being, we believe, quite as often met with.
Bay, chestnut, brown and black, are almost the only
colors, the latter being quite uncommon, and with few
exceptions, confined to the Black Hawk family. Gray
or buckskin is very rarely seen, and is a pretty sure
indication that what Morgan blood the animal has, has
been derived through only one branch of the parent
stock.
The average height of Morgan horses may be stated
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 71
at from fourteen, to fifteen and a half hands. There are
a few that will fall below fourteen hands, but the num-
ber is very small, and there are also some that will ex-
ceed fifteen and a half hands, but it is by no means com-
mon, and in such cases it will generally be found, that
the animal has but a small amount of Morgan blood.
Their weight may be stated to range from nine hun-
dred, to eleven hundred pounds, the usual weight
being about one thousand ; any great deviation from
this weight should induce the suspicion of a large in-
fusion of other blood, although exceptions may, and
doubtless do occur, in the case of animals that can show
a good pedigree; still they must be considered as the
exceptions to the rule, and not the rule itself. The hair
of the Morgan is almost invariably fine and soft, though
in some instances a little long. In the fineness and
softness of their coats, they resemble the thorough-bred,
though it is generally thicker.
In describing the temper, and style of action of these
horses, we can say but little more than that they come
fully up to our standard in this respect, with this ex-
ception, that they may sometimes have more fire and
impetuosity, than we think is desirable in the " business
horse," but such generally make very superior road-
sters under proper management and good driving.
These horses having now been scattered a good deal
in the Northern and Western States, fair specimens of
the race may generally be seen at any of the State ag-
ricultural fairs, and the truth of our remarks can be
verified so far as they relate to form, and style of mov-
ing. Much may also be determined on seeing them,
as to their temper, and " lastingness;" but as it requires
72 THE MORGAN HORSE.
more than a short examination to determine conclu-
sively an animal's temper, courage and endurance, and
as there are many who will have no opportunity of
seeing specimens of the breed, we will not leave the
truth of our remarks to depend upon our own ".dic-
tum," but will introduce some evidence in support of
our positions, consisting of extracts from writers whose
authority upon this subject cannot be called in ques-
tion. This is rendered the more necessary from the
account of "Morgan Horses," published in a late edi-
tion of Youatt ; to which is prefixed an account of the
breeds of horses in the United States, by II. S. Ean-
dall. With this account there is published a very fair
likeness of "General Gifford," as a representative of
the race. The figure of the General Gifford, we admit,
is a fair representative of the race, though equalled, if
not excelled, by many others. As what the compiler
says is very short, we extract it in full :
" Of this celebrated American variety or family of
horses, the writer of this possesses little knowledge de-
rived from personal experience. That they have obtain-
ed much celebrity as light buggy and saddle horses, —
attracted much notice and admiration at the New York
State Fairs from their remarkably spirited action and
evident docility, — sold for high prices, not only for the
saddle and buggy, but as stallions to extend the breed, —
is certain. They have many warm admirers, and find
ready purchasers. Others, on the contrary, are dis-
posed to concede to them no uncommon value as a
family, as will be seen by some quotations which we
shall presently make." Then follows a letter from
Burlington, Yt., relative to the origin of the Morgan
ADAPTATION TO THE KOAD, ETC. 73
horse, without a single word as to his value, or good
qualities, the sole object of the writer being to give an
account of his origin. The compiler then gives an ex-
tract from the Eeport of the Committee of the New York
State Agricultural Fair, held at Auburn in 1846, in
which they say of the two stallions there exhibited, one
being the General GhTord, and the other his sire, the
GifFord Morgan : " Their action attracted the marked
admiration of all. This breed are reported to possess
great bottom and hardiness, and everything about the
two presented, goes to prove that their reputation in
this particular is well founded." Then follows a letter
which the compiler says is from u a distinguished judge
of horses in Vermont." In view of the extraordinary
character of this letter, we extract it entire :
" The original Morgan ought not to be jDronounced a
thorough-bred horse, not having been bred from a full
blood mare. Yet it is evident that the rich, high blood
from which he sprung, though slightly diluted, is the
cause of the reputation to which his stock has attained.
But when we trace down his stock, we find in the very
first generation an admixture of cold, worthless blood,
to the full measure of one half. The result usual in
such cases is found here. Many of the colts related
more or less nearly to the old horse, exhibit the char-
acteristics of the Morgan form, but lack compactness,
not of general form, but of muscle, and they lack bottom.
The general characteristics of the Morgan family are,
small size, weighing from seven hundred to one thou-
sand pounds ; a long, but strong back ; plumpness of
general contour, like a Berkshire pig; short, hairy
legs; a brusgnie air, a bustling gait, with more pucker
4
/
74 THE MORGAN HORSE.
and gather, than freedom and elasticity of step; long,
coarse hair ; heavy mane and tail, and a surprising dis-
position to accumulate fat instead of muscle, and a re-
markably docile and tractable temper. As a general
thing, the ' Morgans ' have not length of stride enough
to be good roadsters. They take too many steps in a
mile. It is but very rarely one can be found that
proves to be a good all-day horse. It often occurs that
one can be driven ten miles within the hour, and per-
haps at the same rate for the second hour, without ap-
parent distress or inj ury. But for a high rate of speed,
throughout the day, search must be made among other
families than the 'Morgan.' There is a place for
them, however. They are good for an hour's drive for
short stages. They are good to run about town with.
They are good in the light pleasure-wagon — prompt,
lively (not spirited), and ' trappy.' There is no ques-
tion among those who have had fair opportunities of
comparing the 'Morgans' with horses of purer blood,
and descended from different stocks, in regard to the
relative position of the ' Morgan.' He is, as he exists
at the present day, inferior in size, speed and bottom —
in fact in all those qualities necessary to the perform-
ance of ' great deeds ' on the road or the farm, to the
descendants of Messenger, Duroc, imp. Magnum Bonum,
and many other horses of deserved celebrity. The
GifTord Morgan embodies the characteristics of the
Morgan form, or did embody them, better and in more
prominent and pleasant relief than any horse I am
acquainted with, of this family. * * * * "
We are at some loss to determine exactly the motives
of the writer of this letter, in admitting that the origi-
c
►
o
M
>
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 75
nal Morgan horse was nearly thorough-bred. He
either thought it impossible to deny it, or, having
adopted the theory that no horse can possess any really
valuable qualities for farm or road service unless close-
ly allied to the English race-horse, it was indispensably
necessary to admit him to have been nearly thorough-
bred, in order to sustain his theory ; for he felt that it
was folly to attempt to deny that his immediate de-
scendants were possessed of many excellent qualities.
Having assumed that the good qualities of the Mor-
gan all came from the racing blood he supposes he had
in his veins, he is obliged to depreciate his descendants,
as the racing blood disappears in his stock. He says :
" When we trace down his stock, we find in the very
next generation an admixture of cold, worthless blood, to
the full measure of one-half." According to this writer,
all blood is cold and worthless, except it comes from
the English thorough-bred, and he is evidently one of
that small class of horsemen who adulate "high blood,"
and rejoice in the faith that the English race-horse has
reached the acme of perfection for every variety of ser-
vice — that he is the Alpha and Omega of all excellence
in the entire genus, and who implicitly believe that he
is bound to over-run the earth, as the waters do the
sea, to the utter and complete extinction of all the other
members of the horse family — from the Lincolnshire
draft-horse to the Shetland pony.
But let us come a little nearer to the subject, and
give this letter some further attention ; for having been
admitted by the compiler into Youatt, a standard Eng-
lish work, it derives from its connection a credit and
authority, that would not otherwise attach to it. The
76 THE MORGAN HORSE.
writer says : " Many of the colts, related more or less
nearly to the old horse, exhibit the. characteristics of
the ' Morgan' form, but lack compactness — not of gene*
ral form, but of muscle — and they lack bottom." It is
very satisfactory to know from so intelligent and disin-
terested a horseman, that the Morgan horse still preserves
the characteristics of the Morgan form, and that, though
he lacks compactness, it is not of form, but of muscle.
According to this writer, on the outside all is still
right with this breed of horses. No fault is found with
the size, or shape of the muscles ; but they have an in-
visible defect — "they lack compactness of muscle."
"We think the great and striking muscular development
of the Morgan horse, giving him such unrivalled ease
and vigor of motion, may be safely trusted to live down
this invisible defect of this invisible writer. But, he
says, " they lack bottom."
Not a word of proof is offered, and the assertion leads
one to think that the writer is neither a horseman nor
ft Yermonter, and that he has only borrowed the name
of our little State, to have a good place to write from
about Morgan horses.
The unrivalled endurance of the Morgan is so uni-
versally admitted, not only in Vermont, but through-
out New England, that it is desirable in charity to
conclude, that Mr. Randall's "distinguished judge of
horses" was not much acquainted with the animals he
was attempting to describe.
Again, he says their w eight is from seven hundred
to one thousand pounds.
This is evidently an under-estimate, and leads any
one well acquainted with the breed, to doubt the fairness
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 77*
and candor of the writer. The fair average weight of
the Morgan horse, as now, and for a long time bred in
Vermont, we think will prove to be, as we have already
stated it, from nine hundred to eleven hundred pounds.
Many breeders will think this estimate too low ; but
we intend to go under rather than over the weight. A
few will weigh less than nine hundred, and some will
weigh more than eleven hundred pounds. Let any
one look at the list of Morgan horses exhibited at the
last United States Agricultural Fair ; the weights of a
large number of them are given, and it appears that
their medium size cannot be less than from nine hun-
dred to ten hundred and fifty pounds.
The next assertion of this writer is much more re-
markable; he says of the Morgans, they have " a long
but strong hack." One cannot but fear that, before
writing this, this " distinguished judge of horses in
"Vermont" had been looking through some deceptive
glasses. One of the marked and striking characteris-
tics of Morgan horses is, and always has been, the short-
ness of their backs.
Let any horseman look at the plates in this volume,
or at any of the numerous cuts published in various
forms, and see how near this writer has come to a fair
description of these horses. Again, he says : "As a
general thing, the ' Morgans' have not length of stride
enough to be good roadsters. They take too many
steps in a mile." Now, it is because they take more
steps in a mile than the long-strided horse, that the
Morgans so easily leave them behind before night-fall.
It will take a long time for this writer, or any other, to
•78 THE MORGAN HORSE.
convince the horsemen of Vermont that a long-stepping
animal is the thing for an " all-day horse."
But, as the " distinguished judge of horses in Ver-
mont" maj not think much of New England opinions,
we refer to Youatt, who, in speaking of the compara-
tive advantages of a long or short-strided horse under
the most trying circumstances, namely, in going over
soft ground and over hills, says: "The compact, short-
strided horse will almost skim the surface, while the
feet of the longer -reached animal will sink deep, and
he will wear himself out in his efforts to disengage
himself. * * * Every horseman knows how much
more enduring is a short-bodied horse in climbing
hills, though, perhaps, not quite so much in descending
them." At the present day, a long strided horse can
hardly be sold for a driving horse, in the Boston or
New York markets. Short steps come from short legs,
and short legs are indispensable to the greatest endu-
rance.
Let us compare for a moment this assertion, that
"they have not length of stride enough to be good
roadsters," with what he says in the second sentence
following. Here he admits that they can often be
driven twenty miles in two hours, without apparent
distress or injury. Where is there a horseman but
must at once admit, that the horse which can be driven
twenty miles in two hours, without distress or injury,
has abundance of stride for endurance throughout the
day! and it is evident that, for a short distance, he
must have far greater speed — for no horse can be
driven at the top of his speed for two hours without
distress.
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 79
We think the simple fact that a horse can make his
twenty miles in two hours without distress, will, by
most horsemen, be deemed the strongest possible evi-
dence (save actual trial) of his ability to perform more
than an ordinary day's journey.
The compiler, at the close of this long attack on
Morgan horses, from a concealed enemy, says of it :
" The above is not, as already stated, the popular esti-
mate of this family. Having stated both sides of the
question, we leave it to the judgment of the public."
What does the compiler mean by " having given both.
sides" ? The only thing the compiler gives favorable
to the Morgan is from a New York Committee, who
were evidently strangers to the breed, and whose opin-
ion was based on the two specimens before them.
The Morgans were among strangers, where they and
their owners were unknown. They were judged by a
New York Committee, and New York had then but
little interest in the Morgan breed of horses, and they
were, of course, surrounded by friends and acquaint-
ances interested in other breeds. But they were too
accomplished horsemen to overlook the extraordinary
characteristics of the Morgans, and too frank and manly
not to speak out fully and boldly their opinions.
What they have said is the verdict of a New York
jury. Aside from that verdict, the compiler has ad-
mitted nothing in favor of the Morgan horse ; and this
is what he calls " giving both sides."
The reputation of this breed of horses is not the re-
sult of a temporary excitement, got up by interested
parties to assist their sale, but it is the result of a long
and convincing trial of their powers. The ' attention
80 THE MORGAN HORSE.
of horsemen was drawn to them long ago, and their
reputation has gone on increasing steadily from that
day to the present.
The following extracts are from a letter written by
a gentleman of Philadelphia to the American Turf
Register and Sporting Magazine, in 1831.
u # # -jf jf ma y no t Iqq generally known that the
first trotting matches in this country took place in New
England ; and twenty years ago, every stranger who
travelled the road from Boston to Portland, a distance
then of one hundred and twenty miles r must have
been surprised to see horses, not quite fifteen hands
high, drawing heavy carriages, with nine passengers,
at the rate of eight and ten miles an hour, accomplish-
ing the journey with ease in one day. * * * * From
what is known of the speed and strength of this horse,
and his properties, so well adapted for the road as well
as the turf, it has always seemed unaccountable to me
why farmers and breeders generally do not introduce
the trotting horse instead of the high-mettled racer, of
Yvdiose usefulness scarcely one word can be said. I am,
however, far from underrating the thorough-bred horse :
the sports of the turf are alwa} 7 s interesting to me ; but
I now address practical men, and I ask, if they would
not benefit themselves and the community more by
raising the trotter instead of the racer ?
" The one is useful as a work-horse on the farm or on
the road ; generally kind and gentle in harness, and
often active enough for the saddle. Whilst the other,
if his strain is superior, has an irritability, a nervous-
ness? that unfits him for the steady routine of making
wheels turn round, and is only calcidated to cany a
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 81
light weight and occasionally win a plate or purse. I
believe it is estimated that only one colt in thirty proves
himself a first-rate runner, under the most judicious
management in the selection of brood mares, and the
greatest care in feeding, grooming and bitting. Such
a colt may possibly bring two or three thousand dol-
lars, but the twenty-nine may not average one hundred
and fifty dollars ; while the trotting colt of good prom -
ise (which is indicated not unfrequently at three years
old,) readily brings from two to five hundred dollars,
and some of them one thousand. Besides, these horses
are always in demand ; every man in the neighbor-
hood of our large cities, travelling on dusty roads,
wants a trotter for his every-day use ; but how few of
them keep a racer ?
" I am aware that fine roadsters are sometimes obtain-
ed by crossing the large common mare with the full-
blooded horse. There are instances of it in the progeny
of old Messenger ; he was the sire of Fagdown, and, I
believe, of Mambrino and Hamiltonian ; and this stock
has supplied Philadelphia and New York with the
only trotting horses that they raised for some time.
Tippoo Saib, who now stands at the Hunting Park
Course, belongs to the same family ; and although, as
a trotter, I have never heard of his performance, yet
he is the sire of Lady Miller, a very celebrated trotter.
"Now, with the exception of Messenger, I have never
been able to trace extraordinary trotting families derived
from such a source. There are individuals of celebrity
whose origin is unknown ; but we want, in this quar-
ter, the distinct race, as they pervade some parts of the
Eastern States, and the county of Norfolk, England. * *
4*
82 THE MORGAN HORSE.
" I think there are two reasons why we have not sup-
plied the Philadelphia market with the right kind of
roadster ; one is, we have mixed up too much of the
running stock, particularly in New Jersey and South-
ward of us ; and the other is, we have too little. That
medium so desirable for the road, which for years has
given celebrity to the private and public conveyances
in New. England, was not generally known here until
the establishment of the Trotting Club on the Hunting
Park Course."
In the March number of the Albanv Cultivator for
1848, J. B. Burnett, a '' thorough-bred" man, in an arti-
cle in favor of thorough-bred horses, and against the
Morgans, with equal truth and candor says : "It can-
not be denied that they possess great energy and cour-
age, great strength and endurance, great ambition and
docility ; that they mature early and are easily kept ;
that they are pleasant drivers and always ready for
business, and — what is more important — sell at high
prices."
R. L. Allen, Esq., an accomplished gentleman in
New York, and a thorough horseman, having no inter-
est then or since in Morgan stock, so far as we can
ascertain, thus speaks of them in his American Agri-
culture. After pointing out their origin, he says:
" The result has been the production of a family of
roadsters of much similarity of appearance and uni-
formity of character, unsurpassed by any others for ser-
viceable qualities. They are of medium size, from
thirteen and a half to fifteen hands high, with a well-
formed head and neck, high withers, deep chest, round
body, short back, large quarters, broad, flat legs, mod-
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. S3
erately small feet, long, wavy mane and tail, present-
ing altogether the beau ideal of the road horse.
" They are spirited and docile, hardy and easily kept.
They have an easy and rapid trot, and glide along
with a good load without clatter or apparent effort, at
the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour."
Mr. Weissinger, formerly one of the editors of the
Louisville (Kentucky) Journal, tnat has for many years
been a leading paper at the South, made a tour through
the Northern States in the summer of 1845. While
in Vermont, his taste for horses prompted him to exam-
ine carefully the Morgans. In a letter to the "Jour-
nal," after some remarks in relation to their origin,
he says:
" There is no doubt whatever of this — that the breed
of the Morgan horse was, and is now, in the few in-
stances where it can be found, far the best breed of
horses for general use that ever was in the United
States — probably the best in the world ; and it is re-
markable that this breed was, and is now, known by
many striking peculiarities, common to nearly every
individual. They have a full, heavy, wavy mane and
tail, good head and neck, small, well-shaped ears ; are
broad between the eyes ; legs broad and short, with
large tendons, bodies rather thick-set ; but their most
striking peculiarity is in their carriage : legs well un-
der, trot quick, short and springy, the fore-legs bending
remarkably, the very reverse of the slow, slouchy move-
ment of the race-horse in the trot. They are likewise
exceedingly hardy and well-tempered."
In the American Farmer's Encyclopedia, edited by
84 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Governeur Emerson, and published in Philadelphia, in
1844, is the following description of the Morgan horse :
"Perhaps the very finest breed of horses in the
United States, when general usefulness is taken into
consideration, is what is commonly known in the North
ern and Eastern States as the Morgan horse.
" This breed is distinguished by its activity, united
with strength and hardiness. Its size is moderate, and
though not often possessing the fleetness which recom-
mends it to the sportsman, it has speed enough to entitle
it to the appellation of a fast traveller. Their usual height
is from fourteen to fifteen hands, color bay, make round
and rather heavy, with lean heads, broad and deep chests,
the fore limbs set wide apart, legs clean and sinewy,
short, strong backs, with that projection of the ribs
from the backbone which is a sure indication of great
development of lungs, and consequently of great wind
and bottom. Eor saddle, draught, and other useful
purposes, the Morgan horses, bred in Vermont and in
all the Eastern States, including the Northern and
"Western parts of New York, are so much prized as to
command much higher prices in the principal cities of
the Atlantic States, than horses from other parts of the
Union."
The Maine Farmer for 1853 (we think in the April
number) in an editorial, thus speaks of the Morgan
horses : " The stock of Morgan horses is so univer
sally known and admired throughout New England,
that it is hardly necessary to repeat their merits. For
a seller of horse3, it is only necessary to establish the
fact that his horses are of the Morgan blood, and he
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 85
meets with, a ready sale at good prices, and the pur-
chasers are more than satisfied.
" They excel in great endurance, carrying weight a
long distance; and as roadsters they excel all other
horses in this or any other country ; are full of noble
and generous spirit, with such docility of temper that
the most timid can driye them ; but if put to their met-
tle, they are a full hand for the best driver." In an
elaborate article in the Neiv York Herald, in relation
to the horses of that city, published early in 1853, in
speaking of the large number of horses employed in
hauling the cars on the Sixth Avenue Eailroad, the
writer says: "Four-fifths of all the horses employed on
this road are from Yermont and New Hampshire, and
of these neary all are of the celebrated Morgan breed.
These horses have long and justly been celebrated for
their admirable qualities as roadsters.
"They are particularly remarkable for their great
strength in proportion to their size, and for their power
of endurance, bearing up under hard labor that would
break down the strongest draft horse.
" The Morgan horse, though a small animal, is noted
for his great bottom and hardiness, as well as for com-
pactness and roundness of form. He is a very sprightly
animal, and is said to be more sagacious than the gener-
ality of horses."
By reference to the report of the United States Agri-
cultural Society's Fair, held in Boston, Mass., the fourth
week in October, 1855, it appears that three premiums
were offered to stallions as "roadsters;" of these all
were awarded to stallions of Morgan descent; four
premiums were offered to stallions for general use, four
86 THE MORGAN HORSE.
years old and upwards. All of these were awarded to
Morgans. To stallions for general use, three years old
and under four years, two premiums were offered ; one
of these was awarded to a Morgan. To stallions for
general use, one year old and under tw r o, three premiums
offered ; two awarded to Morgans. To breeding mares
and fillies four premiums were offered ; two awarded to
Morgans. To fillies three years old, two premiums
offered ; one awarded to a Morgan. Fillies one year
old, only one premium awarded, and that to a Morgan.
To trotting stallions four premiums were offered, and
three of them awarded to Morgans.
That this was a very large exhibition of horses is cer-
tain, for there were four hundred and forty-three horses
entered for premiums. The report of every State Fair
at the North and West, shows that wherever exhibited,
the Morgans take the very highest rank as horses for
general use. Now this evidence of his value is the more
striking, as at most of these agricultural exhibitions
he is among strangers, and he comes into competition
with horses long known and having many friends
around to assist in sustaining them. A horse that can
compete successfully for the highest honors under such
circumstances, must be so plainly, and so far superior
to his rivals, that the moment he is seen the spectator
acknowledges, without hesitation, his great superiority.
The appearance of " Champion Black Hawk," and Silas
Hale's " Green Mountain," on the fair grounds of Ken-
tucky, at different times, strikingly illustrate this.
In the account of the agricultural fair, at Florence,
Kentucky, in October, 1855, published in the Gincin
nati Gazette of October 13th, 1855, is the follow-
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 87
tng description of the exhibition of stallions for har-
ness :
" The Fair at Florence. — Yesterday was the day
for the exhibition of horses. In the ring of stallions
for harness, of fonr years old and upwards, the blue
ribbon (highest premium) was tied on a dapple grey,
but just then Champion Black Hawk, belonging to
Messrs. P. & L. Melendy, of Hamilton County, Ohio,
was brought in, and the multitude immediately shouted,
'take it off,' 'take it off.'
"It was accordingly taken off and put upon Black
Hawk, and no judgment of the Committee was more
heartily approved by the spectators than this. Cham-
pion Black Hawk is of the Morgan stock, and closely
resembles old Green Mountain Morgan in size, build,
and carriage. He is a small horse, but compactly
built, indicates power and endurance, and in horseman
phrase is ' big for his size.' "
So, also, when Hale's Green Mountain appeared on
the show grounds at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1853, he
met with a cordial welcome, and the horse was greeted
on his entering the exhibition ring, with such eager
applause as told, full plainly, that his form and his
style of action were new, but were appreciated by the
thousands of strangers before whom he was moving.
It is hardly necessary to say that he received the high-
est premium, as he had previously done the same season
at the Michigan State Fair at Detroit, and the Ohio State
Fair at Dayton.
It is proper to add, that the horse was taken from
Vermont to Dayton, Ohio, by railroad, without any
stop for the purpose of rest. The fair at Dayton being
88 THE MORGAN HORSE.
over, lie went directly to Detroit, arriving there after
the commencement of the fair. From Detroit he went
directly to Lonisville, where he arrived late the night
previous to the last day of the fair.
The following letter is from a gentleman long en-
gaged in staging, whose opportunities for observation
have been very extensive, and we would as soon rely
upon his judgment in anything relating to the qualities
of a good horse, as that of any person we have ever
met:
"Jefferson City, Missouri, April 14, 1856.
U D. C. Linsley, Esq.
"Dear Sir: — It is with much pleasure I have to
acknowledge the receipt of your favor of a recent date,
requesting me to give you my views of Morgan horses,
as compared with horses in general use at the West.
" I have spent the greatest portion of my life in stag-
ing, formerly in Vermont, and now in Missouri, and I
take pleasure in bearing testimony to the decided superi-
ority of Morgan horses for coach service, over any
others that I have ever used. I have bought many horses
in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, and
though occasionally a good roadster can be found, they
are not common. Many of the horses of these States
have fine forms and good carriage, yet lack the high,
free spirit, unflinching courage, and iron constitutions
the Vermont horses so generally possess. Very many
of the Western horses are too large. Large horses may
be the best for draft, but I have always found horses of
medium size, weighing, say about ten hundred and
o
K
-a
o
li §?
w
- § Hi
I
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 89
fifty pounds, much the most serviceable and enduring
when used before a coach.
" I am, Sir, very respectfully yours,
"MILO JUNE."
The writer of the folio win g letter is well known at
the East, and throughout the West, as one of the
largest and most successful stage-owners in our country,
and the noble fortune he has secured, by his' own ex-
ertions, sufficiently attest his practical wisdom, and the
soundness and solidity of his judgment. His large ex-
perience at the West gives peculiar value to his opinion,
with regard to horses, adapted to that country :
" Chicago, April 21st, 1856.
U D. C. Linsley, Esq.
"Dear Sir : — Your favor of the 8th inst. is received,
in relation to the Morgan breed of horses, and express-
ing your desire to make them more generally known
in the Western States. This desire I sincerely share
with you, and cannot doubt your entire success.
" Being a Yermonter, I have known Morgan horses
as long as I have known any. I have resided at Chi-
cago the last seventeen years, during which time I
have been largely engaged in the business of staging —
which business affords constant employment for about
fifteen hundred horses — and have thus had opportuni-
ties for observing and testing the capacity and endur-
ance of horses. I have no hesitation in saying, I con-
sider the Morgan horses far superior to any other breed
or blood I have ever known for the road or farm.
" In fact, I would prefer them over all others for
90 THE MORGAN HORSE.
any kind of service on the American Continent. They
are invariably good feeders, are easily kept, and will
not only perform and endure more service in a year,
but more years of service, than any other breed of
horses I have ever known.
"Of the horses heretofore raised in the Western
States, and particularly West of the Lakes (although
much improvement has been made within a few years,
and many fine horses may now be found among them),
it is undeniably true, that a Morgan horse, from New
England, will outlast two horses raised in the West.
"It is also true, that but few Morgan horses have,
as yet, been brought from New England West of the
Lakes, and equally true, that their services are very
generally sought by intelligent breeders of horses
throughout the country. Any number of inferior
horses may be found in the West, which are claimed
to be of Morgan blood.
"This attempt to palm off counterfeits, is the highest
evidence of the value of the genuine blood. The
ready and general objection in the West, with those
who are not familiar with the Morgans, is want of size,
forgetting that their size should be judged, by their
weight, and not by the length of their legs, and that
the same bodies, upon longer legs, would look much
larger. Wishing you success, and hoping that you
may be instrumental in causing the whole of our fine
State to be filled with horses of pure Morgan blood,
" I am, Sir, your friend and servant,
"M. O. WALKER"
We might continue to adduce testimony of a similar
ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 91
character to almost any extent, but we think tne fore-
going extracts from the highest sources, from persons
uninterested in these horses, and residing in quarters
of the country where they have not been bred, amply
sufficient to establish the fact, that the Morgans, as a
race, are possessed of great powers of endurance, and
are admirably adapted for the road and general use.
From a consideration of the foregoing extracts, it is
to be hoj)ed, that " a distinguished judge of horses in
Vermont," will review his opinions, and that the ac-
complished compiler of the breeds of horses in the
United States, will not admit into a future edition of
so valuable a work as Youatt's, an article so prejudiced,
and so untrue.
CHAPTER Y.
ORIGIN OF THE MORGAN HORSE.
The different accounts that have been circulated in
regard to the origin of the Morgan breed of horses,
agree that they are descended from a horse called the
Justin Morgan, who derived his name from Mr. Jus-
tin Morgan, of Randolph, Vt., once his owner. As
to the origin of the Justin Morgan, however, they
differ widely.
The fact that little or no interest was felt in the sub-
ject until after the death of Mr. Morgan,. and indeed
until after the death of his -horse, will account for this
diversity.
Almost half a century passed away before any
serious effort was made to determine the origin of an
animal, whose value was daily more and more appre-
ciated. After the death of Mr. Morgan the horse
passed through several hands, and was kept at differ-
ent places, and when at length serious inquiry was
awakened on the subject, it was found that Mr. Morgan
had left no written pedigree of his horse, and different
reports of what he said in relation to it got into circu-
lation.
We think it may be considered as certain, that during
Mr. Morgan's life and until long' after his death, very
little interest was felt in the question, " What was the
(52)
ITS ORIGIN. 93
exact pedigree of the horse ?" When the inquiry be-
came interesting, and discussion arose, different stories
were current, and opinions were frequently formed in
accordance with previous prejudices or views of the in-
dividual forming them, as to the value of different
breeds of horses. Some, holding the opinion that no
valuable horse could be expected without a great deal
of racing blood, sought to make it appear that he was
nearly thorough-bred. Others having less faith in the
English racer, entertained different opinions, and adopted
for their creed stories that ascribed to him a very dif-
ferent origin. No person seemed to take the matter
in hand and investigate it thoroughly, until those who
might have given the necessary information were gone.
It is not now probable that the blood of the Justin
Morgan can ever be exactly and absolutely ascertained.
We think, however, it may be considered certain that
this unrivalled animal was produced by a cross of the
Arabian or thorough-bred with the common stock,
but the proportion of each cannot now be determined.
There are no opinions that men maintain so stren-
uously, and give up so reluctantly, as those which
they form and publicly avow upon matters in which
they are supposed by others to be particularly well-in-
formed. This is more especially true when these opin-
ions entertained and expressed, relate to matters of
practical importance, and not simply to some abstract
doctrine.
Thus, suppose a man has studied long upon the
subject of rotation of crops, and is thought to under-
stand it thoroughly ; if his neighbor acting upon his
advice is thereby injured, he will account for the fail-
94 THE MORGAN HORSE.
ure in any way, rather than ascribe it to his own want
of information, or error of judgment.
So the tradesman much more reluctantly acknow-
ledges an error of judgment in relation to an article of
which his very trade presupposes him to be a judge,
than the man whose attention has been but momen-
tarily drawn to it. It is to this disinclination to admit
they have been in error, coupled with inattention to the
proofs that have been offered, that we mainly attribute
the disparity that may be noticed in the accounts given
by horsemen of the origin of the Morgan horse ; for
we think all candid persons who will devote but a lit-
tle time to an examination of the subject, can hardly
• fail to arrive at one and the same conclusion. So much
importance has of late years been attached to this sub-
ject, and some excellent horsemen not fully agreeing
in relation to it, we have been led to devote a good
deal of time and labor to a careful examination of all
such evidence as we could discover, and the result of
our investigation is (as before stated) the firm convic-
tion that the original Morgan horse was not thorough-
bred, but yet, had a large infusion of blood.
Before considering the evidence that has led us to
this conclusion, we wish to explain what seems to us
should be the character of the evidence that should be
deemed amply sufficient to establish this point.
While the friends of these horses have been some-
times ready to declare the original Justin Morgan fully
thorough-bred, on the strength of evidence which we
think can hardly be deemed sufficient; yet on the
other hand, parties interested in denying he had any
claim, even to a particle of that noble blood, insist
upon proof that shall amount to demonstration.
ITS OKIGIN. 95
The pedigree of a stock horse may in one sense be
considered property ; it is a valuable thing, and one
from which the owner may derive great benefit. Now
what reason can be assigned for insisting that a man
shall adduce stronger evidence to establish his claim
to such a pedigree, than is required before a court of
justice to secure him in the possession of his house, or
his farm ; or stronger than would be sufficient to enable
his neighbor to turn him out of doors ? There can be
no reason. But some gentlemen insist that the pedi-
gree of an animal, to be entitled to credit, should be
supported by evidence as conclusive as would be re-
quired to send the owner to the gallows, if he were in-
dicted for murder. This is certainly most unreason-
able and unjust.
The following articles, we believe, comprise all the
important statements in relation to the origin of the
Morgan horse that have ever been published. Some
of them have been printed in very many different papers
throughout the country, but, with a single exception,
we believe, they were all originally published in The
Albany Cultivator.
In the October number of that paper for 1841, Yol.
8, p. 162, there appeared the following letter and ac-
companying affidavit:
" Messes. GtAYLOED & Tuckee : I lately received
great satisfaction from hearing what appears to be
a correct account of the origin of the Morgan horses
of Vermont ; a breed known and esteemed for activ-
ity and hardiness, throughout all the Northern States ;
not remarkable for size, and scarcely known to the
96 THE MORGAN HORSE.
sportsman for speed. This race is perhaps as highly
celebrated as any for general usefulness, and for such
a degree of fleetness as entitles it to the appellation of
fast traveller.
" Their height is from fourteen to fifteen hands ; color,
bay ; make, round and heavy, with lean heads, broad
and deep chests, the fore-limbs set far apart, clean and
sinewy legs, short strong backs, with that projection
of the ribs from the spine which is a sure indication of
powerful lungs, and, consequently, of great wind and
bottom. The original Morgan horse, called also the
Goss horse, is well known to have appeared in Ran-
dolph and in St. Johnsbury (Vt.) some forty years
since, and to have been kept as a stallion, at first with
but little, and subsequently with very great patronage,
some five and twenty years, or until he was thirty
years old or more. Various accounts are current as to
his origin ; many think it quite distinct from the Cana-
dian breed of Norman-French extraction, and consider
the horse to have been of Dutch blood, and to have
been introduced from some of the settlements on Hudson
river, southward of Albany. Stories are told of a travel-
ler's blood mare having got with foal by a Canadian
or Indian pony, at various places north and west, and
having brought forth this horse ; all these accounts are
improbable, and appear to be unauthenticated.
"For the last dozen years, being aware, both by
observation and experiment, of the surprising results
of crossing the Canadian with other breeds of horses,
and having become acquainted with the vast variety
and different qualities of various races in the Canadian
breed, I have believed that the original Morgan horse
ITS ORIGIN. 97
was of French Canadian origin. This opinion being
confirmed by the accounts here given. I am anxious to
ascertain whether any one can prove it erroneous, and,
if not, to make it public, that it may be known that
thousands of horses may be obtained in French Cana-
da of the same blood, and not inferior in qualities to
the Morgan, whose existence added several hundred
thousand dollars to the wealth of Yermont.
"George Barnard.
"Sherbrook, P. (?., August, 1841."
"(affidavit.)
" I was about thirteen years of age when the Mor-
gan horse was first brought to St. Johnsbury, in Yer-
mont, where my father lived. As I am now fifty, it
must have been about 1804. On the eve of the second
Tuesday in June (for I well remember that the morrow
was training-day) I was at my father's house, and a
man of the name of Abel Shorey, a skilful horseman
of the neighborhood, was there also ; when David Goss,
jr., my cousin, then aged about seventeen, came up
from his father's, distant about three-quarters of a
mile, with a message to Shorey, requesting him to go
to his father's (my uncle David's) and trim a horse
that uncle John Goss had just then brought over from
Eandolph, distant forty miles.
"I accompanied them, and, at my uncle David's, we
found uncle John from Eandolph, with a little, heavy,
handsome, active bay horse, which he requested Shorey
to trim, chiefly by pulling out and cutting the hairs of
his tail, which appeared as if it had been gnawed by
calves. Uncle John said he was a Canadian horse
6
98 THE MORGAN HORSE.
that lie had just got from Justin Morgan of Kandolph,
who had lately brought him from Montreal. I, after-
wards, frequently heard the manner of his purchasing
the horse related in my father's and uncle David's
families, which was this: uncle John had lent Morgan
the sum of forty dollars on occasion of the latter's go-
ing a journey to Montreal in Canada. Morgan obtained
the horse, then four years old, at Montreal, and being
unable to repay the money on his return, disposed of him
to uncle John, to pay the debt. Uncle John, who was
no horseman, now brought him to my uncle David,
who was much of a horseman, in the hope that some-
thing might be made by keeping him for mares. I
remember Shorey's calling him ' a full blood French
horse.'
" Uncle John Goss engaged Shorey to take the horse
next day to training, at Maj. Butler's, and there I saw
him cover four mares.
" My uncle, David Goss, kept the horse through the
season, working him on his farm, and putting him to
mares when they were brought; he also kept him
through the next winter and the ensuing spring, when
the foals were found to be universally excellent ; uncle
John took him back to .Randolph, where he made his
socond season : the third season he was brought to St.
Johnsbury, and stood at uncle David's again. After
this, as I went to learn my trade, I cannot give so
particular an account of the horse, but remember that
he was kept several seasons in St. Johnsbury.
" This, and more to the same purpose, maybe attested
by David Goss, sen., Phillip Goss, David Goss, jr.,
ITS ORIGIN. 99
Clark Stearns, Abel Shorey,. Abel Butler, and Thomas
Pierce, all of St. Johnsbury.
" John Stearns.
" Sworn before me at Charleston village,
this 14th of August, 1841.
" David Connell, J. P."
In the June number of " The Cultivator" (Yol. IX.,
p. 99), is the following letter:
"Messrs Gaylord and Tucker: — Mr. Edward
Terry, of Eochester, Vt., recently sent me two numbers
of your ' Cultivator,' containing some account of the
origin of the Morgan breed of horses, and also an affida-
vit of John Stearns, of St. Johnsbury, Yt., relative to
the same subject. I have read the affidavit of the said
Stearns attentively, and know that he is entirely mis-
taken in all his statements relative to the time said
horse was brought into Vermont, the place from which
he was brought, and the manner in which he says his
uncle, John Gross, obtained said horse of my father. I
know very well that Mr. John Goss never obtained
said horse of my father in any way whatever. My
father owned said horse to the day of his death, and, in
the settlement of my father's estate, said horse passed
into the hands of William Pice, then living in Wood-
stock, Vt., since deceased.
" I will now relate the facts relative to said
Morgan horse, as I recollect them. My father,
Justin Morgan, brought said horse, or, rather, said
colt, into Pandolph, Yt., in the summer or autumn of
1795. Said colt was only two years old when my
100 THE MORGAN HORSE.
father brought him to Eandolph, and never had been
handled in any way, not even to be led by a halter.
My father went to Springfield, Mass., the place of his
nativity, and the place from which he removed to
Eandolph, in the spring or summer of 1795, after
money that was due to him at that place, as he said;
and, instead of getting money as he expected, he got
two colts — one a three years old gelding colt, which he
led, the other, a two years old stud colt, which followed
all the way from Springfield to Eandolph ; having been,
as my father said, always kept with, and much attached
to the colt he led. Said two years old colt was the
same that has since been known all over New England
by the name of the Morgan horse.
"My father broke said colt himself, and, as I have
before remarked, owned and kept him to the time of
his decease, which took place in March, 1798, and said
horse was five years old the spring my father died ;
and, as before stated, soon after my father's decease, he
passed from my father's estate into the possession of
Wm. Eice, of Woodstock, Yt. I cannot state positively
that my father purchased said colt in Springfield,
Mass., but I am very confident that he purchased him
in that town, or in the immediate vicinity on Connec-
ticut river, and I know that my father always, while
he lived, called him a Dutch horse.
"Justin Morgan.
"Stockbridge, Vt, March 1, 1842."
In the next number of " The Cultivator" ("Vol. IX.,
p. 110), under the head of " Condensed Correspondence
and Enquiries," we find the following article:
ITS OKIGIN. 101
"After our last paper went to press, containing the
statement of Justin Morgan, Esq., of Stockbridge, Yt.,
that his father brought the original Morgan horse from
Springfield, Mass., we received a communication from
Mr. John MorgaD, of Lima, in this State, confirming
the statement of Justin Morgan, that the sire of the
celebrated Morgan horses of Yt. came from Massa-
chusetts, instead of from Canada, as has heretofore
been supposed. Mr. John Morgan informs us that
he resided in Springfield, Mass., near Mr. Justin Mor-
gan, sen., previous to his removal to Yermont, and
that the two years old stud which he took with him to
Yermont, as stated in our last paper, by Mr. J. Morgan,
jr., ' was sired by a horse owned by Sealy Norton, of
East Hartford, Conn., called the True Briton, or Beau-
tiful Bay; he was kept at Springfield one season, by
the said Justin Morgan, and, two years after, I kept
him two seasons.' This horse was said to be raised by
Gen. De Lancey, commander of the refugee troops on
Long Island, and rode by him in the Ee volution. It
was said that one Smith stole the horse from the
General, at King's Bridge, while the General was in
the tavern — ran him across the Bridge, and took him
to the American army near White Plains, and sold
him to Joseph Ward, of Hartford, Conn., for $300. It
was also said, at that time, that he was sired by the
noted imported horse, called the ' Traveler,' said to be
kept in New Jersey. Ward was a merchant, and kept
the horse three or four years for a saddle and car-
riage horse, and traded him off to Norton, and Norton
kept him for mares while he lived. The description
102 THE MORGAN" HORSE.
of the Morgan breed, given by Mr. G. Barnard, answers
well to the description of the stock of True Briton.
"His stock was all bright bays, some inclining to
sorrel. I have always understood that Morgan kept
the colt for a stud at Randolph, and was very celebra-
ted for his stock."
The following extract from Mr. Weissinger's letter
to "The Louisville Journal," published in the autumn
of 1845, to which we have before alluded, embodies
one of the stories that have been circulated to some ex-
tent in relation to this matter.
" Mr. Cottrel, of this place, (Montpelier, Vt.,) who
is as well acquainted with horses as any man in Ver-
mont, says there is not the slightest doubt that the
original Morgan was got by a Canada horse. He says
the most probable account of his origin is this : 'A
man by the name of Smith, of Plainfield, 1ST. H., had a
fine imported mare. He rode this mare to Canada on
a courting expedition, and while there his mare got in
foal. Smith regretted the accident, and laying no
value upon the colt, he sold it to Morgan, a singing-mas-
ter, who, when the colt was grown, rode him around
on his singing circuit. When the colts from Morgan's
horse grew up, they proved fine, and this gave him
celebrity. He was a fleet runner at short distances,
and this originally induced the people to try him.' "
In the January number of " The Albany Cultivator "
for 1846, Vol. III., (new series,) page 19, is published a
letter from Frederick A. Weir, of Walpole, New Hamp-
shire, from which we extract all that in any way re-
lates to the origin of the Morgan horse, as follows :
ITS ORIGIN. 103
" For the last fifteen years my business has called
me frequently into almost all parts of Vermont, and I
have been led to make very extensive and particular
inquiries into the history of the Morgan horse. Al-
though there are six or eight, or more, different stories
in circulation in relation to his origin, and several of
them attempted to be supported by affidavit, yet I per-
fectly agree with you that the account given by Justin
Morgan's son, Justin Morgan 2d, who is a merchant
now in business at Stockbriclge, Vermont, and a gen-
tleman of intelligence and standing, extended and con-
firmed by that of Mr. John Morgan, is the only one
entitled to belief.
"From my correspondence with Justin and John
Morgan, and others, I am enabled to state the pedigree
on both sides of the Morgan horse.
"He was foaled in 1793, was sired by True Briton,
or Beautiful Bay, owned by Sealy Norton, of East
Hartford, Conn., and then kept by John Morgan at
West Springfield, Mass. True Briton was sired by
the imported horse Traveller.
" The dam of the Justin Morgan horse, at the time
he was sired, was owned by Justin Morgan himself, at
Springfield, Mass., where he then lived.
" The dam is described by Mr. John Morgan, who
knew her, as of the Wild-air breed, of middling size,
with a heavy chest, of a very light bay color, with a
bushy mane and tail, the hair on the legs rather long,
and a smooth, handsome traveller. She was sired by
Diamond, a thick, heavy horse of about the middling
size, with a thick, heavy mane and tale, hairy legs and
a smooth traveller. Diamond was kept by Justin Mor-
104 THE MORGAN HOESE.
gan himself, at the time the dam of the Morgan horse
was sired. He was raised in East Hartford, Connecti-
cut. His sire was the Wild-air, known as the Church
horse. His dam was the noted imported mare Wild-
air, owned by Capt. Samuel Burt, of Springfield, Mass.
The Church horse was sired by the horse Wild-air,
imported by Delancy, of Long Island, and as it was
said, was afterwards taken back to England.
"Mr. John Morgan describes True Britton as being
a high-headed and hollow, or sway -backed horse, and
his stock of such a description ; and states that the
Wild-airs also, were generally so."
Under date of Stockbridge, Vi, Feb. 27, 1847, Mr.
Justin Morgan writes to "The Albany Cultivator" as
follows :
"There seems to be some persons who still continue
to suppose that there was ' French- Canadian '• blood in
the original horse which belonged to my father, Justin
Morgan, and from which the excellent stock of ' Mor-
gan horses ' sprung ; while no one who has attended to
the clear proofs to the contrary, which have from time
to time appeared in your valuable Journal, can now
justly entertain any such notion.
"In the fall of 1795, my father brought the horse,
then a two years old colt, from Springfield, Massachu-
setts, to Randolph, Yermont. Mr. John Morgan, of
Lima, 1ST. Y., who, though of the same name, is but a
distant relative of my father's family, then lived, as I
have been informed, in Springfield, and had every op-
portunity, as I believe, of knowing the truth in relation
to the horse. Mr. J. Morgan says he was not only
well acquainted with my father's horse, but also with
ITS ORIGIN. 105
the sire of that horse, 'True Briton' or 'Beautiful
Bay,' and he states that he (Mr. J. M.) kept the latter
horse at the time my father's colt was begotton by him.
He says, also, that he was acquainted with ' Traveller,'
'Diamond,' and ' Wild- air,' and at the time knew them
to be English-blood horses. Mr. John Morgan further
says, that however much may have been said relative
to my father having brought the horse from Canada,
he knows that it was not so. His means of knowledge,
and the respectability of his character, entitles his state-
ments to the fullest credit. The fact that my father
died about two and a half years after he brought the
colt into Randolph, his children all being young, and
the horse having been sold out of the family very soon
after my father's decease, may account for his pedigree
not being better understood. I have a perfect recol-
lection of the horse when my father owned him and
afterwards, and have always lived where his stock is
well known, and well remember that my father always
spoke of him as a horse of the best blood. * * *
In order to get a clearer idea of the whole subject,
let us glance at some facts in relation to Mr. Justin
Morgan. He was born in 1747, at West Springfield,
Mass. His father was not wealthy, and was able to
give Justin only a common education. He was natu-
rally quick and intelligent, and by application obtained
a thorough knowledge of the primary English branches,
was an excellent penman, and a very fine singer.
Physically he was tall, slim, and of feeble health, being
inclined to consumption. In fact, he was unable to
perform any manual labor of importance after he was
twenty years old, and supported himself almost entire-
5*
106 THE MORGAN" HOUSE.
ly by teaching singing, writing, and common district
schools. As a teacher, he seems to have been success-
ful, and was very much liked wherever he went, on
account of his urbane manners and upright character.
At about thirty he was married, and the fruit of this
connexion was one son and four daughters. The son
was born March 15, 1786, and was called after his
father, Justin.
In the Spring of 1788 Mr. Morgan sold his place in
Springfield, Mass., and removed with his family to
Eandolph, Yt. His wife, Martha, died March 20,
1791, and he died March 22, 1798. The most import-
ant of these facts, so far as they relate to our present
subject, are first, the time at which he removed his
family from Springfield, Mass., to Eandolph, Yt. ; and
second, the time of his death ; and we will here give
the reasons for the statements we have just made in re-
lation to these events.
In the Book of Eecord of Deeds of the county of
Hampshire, Mass., No. 29, page 29, it appears that on the
12th of March, 1788, Justin Morgan sold to Abner Mor-
gan a lot of land in West Springfield, Mass., estimated to
contain about two-thirds of an acre, and upon which there
was a house and barn, for the sum of thirty-three pounds
seventeen shillings and sixpence. From this time until
his death, there is no record of his having conveyed
any other real estate in that county, nor can we find
any record of any conveyance of real estate to him.
From this it is clear that he sold his property in
Springfield, Mass., in the Spring of 1788. It seems
equally clear, that he removed his family to Eandolph
the same Spring, for his daughter Nancy was born in
ITS ORIGIN. 107
Randolph, Yt., Sept. 3, 1788, as appears from the town
records.
That he remained constantly in that town until the
summer of 1793 is evident, for he was chosen Lister
March 19, 1789, and was chosen Town Clerk March
9, 1790, and served the town in that capacity until
March 18, 1793. As his name appears from time to
time in the parish records of "West Springfield previ-
ous to 1788, it is plain that he lived there up to the
time he sold his place ; and from the facts we have be-
fore given, it is no less plain that from 1788 to 1793,
he resided in Randolph, Vt.
That he died in 1798, is shown by the record of
births, marriages and deaths, in the town of Randolph,
which reads "Justin Morgan died March 22, 1798;"
and the same is inscribed upon his tombstone in the
burying-ground at Eandolph Centre, Yt. In the me-
moirs of Mrs. Emily Edgerton, (a daughter of Justin
Morgan,) edited by Rufus Nutting, and published in
1832, is the following statement: "Among the early
settlers of this town (Randolph) was Justin Morgan,
Esq., the father of the subject of this biographical
sketch. Emily was the second of his five children, and
was born Feb. 16, 1784. In her seventh year, she was
called to one of the most severe afflictions, the loss of
a kind and faithful mother. ***** Her affection-
ate father survived her mother about seven years." If
this was correct, it might be said that Justin Morgan
died in 1797 ; but there is evidently a mistake in say-
ing her mother died when Emily was "in her seventh
year," for her sister Polly was born March 10, 1791,
or nearly one month after Emily was seven years old,
108 THE MORGAN HORSE.
and, as we have before stated, her mother aied March
20, 1791. (See town record.) Such an error may
easily be accounted for by considering, that in the me-
moirs referred to, the exact date of her mother's death
was not considered important, as is manifest from the
general way in which it is stated, and the author evi-
dently intended to convey no other idea than that
when about seven years old, her mother died. A clear
understanding of these facts is necessary, and its im-
portance will appear from a consideration of what we
shall say in regard to the foregoing extracts relating
to the origin of Morgan horses.
The account of the origin of the Morgan horse, em-
bodied in the affidavit of John Stevens, has been pretty
widely circulated, and is undoubtedly believed by
many to this day. The first objection that a thorough
horseman would urge to this statement would be, that
if descended from a Canadian sire, both he and his stock
should bear a strong resemblance to that breed of
horses ; whereas nothing can be more clear than that
in most of their leading features they are altogether
unlike.
Mr. George Barnard, of Sherbrook, Canada East,
who has devoted years to the breeding of horses, and
who has owned, and we believe still owns, some very
fine racing stock, is an intelligent gentleman, and all
who know him must confess him to be reliable au-
thority upon such a subject. In a letter to "The Al-
bany Cultivator," under date of October, 25, 1841,
he thus compares the Morgan with the Canadian horse :
"In my communication on this subject, published in
the late October number, I have expressed too confi-
ITS OEIGIN. 109
dent an opinion in saying I believe the original horse
(Morgan) was of French Canadian origin. I have
recently had some acquaintance with a Morgan horse
endowed with all the peculiarities of the breed, suffi-
cient to make me forbear any decided opinion on the
point in question, until very clear evidence is adduced.
The affidavit which I furnished is only probable, and
not conclusive testimony that the original horse was
of Norman-French, descent, and procured in Montreal.
The horse which has been with me of late is one of
those called, from being in-bred, a full blooded Morgan
— an absurd term, for it is impossible that a descend-
ant can inherit full blood from a single progenitor.
The term full-blood or thorough-bred can only be used
with propriety where the distinctive appellation is
derived from a race or sort which furnished both
parents; thus we may say a thorough - bred or full-
blood English race-horse, a full-blood or thorough-
bred Alderney cow, if both sire and dam were of the
breed or sort designated. The term thorough-bred,
however, has heretofore almost exclusively been ap-
plied to race-horses, because for centuries before the
present, the racing breed of horses has been the only
breed of animals highly cultivated, and of which the
pedigrees could be proved by written or printed docu-
ments.
"All the accounts, being not less than half a dozen,
which I have heard of the origin of the first Morgan
horse, agree in this, that one Justin Morgan, of Ean-
dolph, Yt., from whom the name was derived, owned
the animal while he was yet a colt. Doubtless there
live persons who can testify to his origin, whether or
110 THE MORGAN HOESE.
not it be such as represented in the late affidavit. The
public would be not only gratified, but greatly bene-
fited by such evidence. There has probably never
been another stallion whose stock for thirty or forty
years have produced so much net profit to the
growers.
" I will now endeavor to point out what appears to
be the chief points of distinction between the Morgan
breed and the horses of Norman-French descent, pro-
duced in Canada. Let me premise that a great variety
of races exists in the Canadian breed, yet all clearly
impressed with a certain general character. The broad,
courageous - looking head, with ears far apart, thick
neck, with general stoutness of frame, full breast and
strong shoulder, with a round or fleshy croup ; the
low-set muscles and large sinews, with those tough
feet that know not disease, are distinguishing marks
of the French Canadian horse.
" The shagginess or abundance of hair in the mane
and tail and on the legs are much owing to the severity
of the climate, with the manner of rearing the animals,
and may be expected in a great measure to disappear
under good cultivation, long before the innate excel-
lencies and peculiarities will perceptibly change.
" The Morgan horse does not partake of all these
marks in common with the Canadian. The clear, and
deep-toned bay color, too, which prevails in the Morgan,
is rare among Canadian horses. It occurs in individ-
uals ; but unless characteristic of the race for a long
period of time, it could hardly be supposed that this
color would so generally occur as it does in the Morgan
horses of the present day. Peculiarities produced by a
ITS ORIGIN. Ill
single cross are apt to wear away in a few generations,
unless maintained by careful selection on the part of
the breeder. If, then (supposing the Morgan horse to
have come from Canada), his color was an accidental
variety, it would not have so generally marked his
numerous offspring, unless great pains were taken to
preserve it by selection, which has not been the case.
It appears evident from the prevalence of this color
through several successive generations, as well as the
similar descent of various qualities, which are authen-
ticated as having belonged to the first known sire, that
the Morgan horse, whatever may have been its origin,
was of one pure stock ; that is, that he was not cross-
bred, or produced by the union of two different breeds ;
for in that case, there must have been a greater variety
in his progeny ; some running to one family, and some
to the other, whereas a remarkable similarity is known
to prevail in all of this race. And here we may notice
that the breeder is apt to find an essential difference in
the two races : the Morgan, crossed or mixed with the
various common breeds, inclines to retain its peculiar
characteristics and its small size in the offspring for
many generations, while all the French Canadian
races, though not larger for the most part than the
Morgan, when used as a cross, increase the size of the
progeny, and frequently assimilate so that the blood
can only be recognized by a practiced observer, in the
greater development and robustness of form, and the
courage, spirit, and aptness to thrive, which are com-
monly reckoned as constitutional health.
" The Morgans differ essentially from the Canadian
horses in their action or mode of travelling. A Mor-
112 THE MORGAN HORSE.
gan horse glides over the ground eight or nine miles
an hour, with such easy movements of his legs, that
one would think they only felt relieved when so em-
ployed ; the Canadian, if he has speed, seems to go by
main strength, every stride arising plainly from a pur-
posed exertion of his powerful muscles.
" Another principal dissimilarity is in the endurance
of the feet ; and here the Canadian horse has all the
advantage. The Morgan appears to be subject, as
much as equally strong-constitutioned horses of any
breed, to founder, and other diseases of the feet, while
with the Canadian such ailments are less known, per-
haps, than with any other breed in the world. There
are numbers of horses in Canada that, under a mass
of shaggy hair, possess dry, sinewy legs, on which the
severest service, never raises a wind-gall. The legs of
the Morgan, though destitute of long hair, have this
excellent conformation in a very high degree.
"The Morgan is a great traveller; an untiring, all-
day horse, but seldom a very fast-trotter or galloper,
and less frequently a perfect saddle horse. The Cana-
dian, if he has the power of rapid locomotion, inclines
for the most part to put forth his energies only for a
short time, and then to take a leisurely gait, as if a
slight sense of fatigue overbalanced the alacrity of his
nervous system. There are, however, splendid excep-
tions to this description ; horses that with no light load
behind them will travel eighty and even ninety miles
in a day. Some of the light-footed Canadian horses,
too, are very pleasant under the saddle, though in
general the weight of the neck and uprightness of the
shoulder disqualify them for this use. The head of
VERMONT
s 'j' B A N G E E
ITS ORIGIN. 113
the Morgan, though not less energetic, is somewhat
dissimilar to that of the Canadian. The ears of one
are upright ; of the other, more apart. The head of
the Canadian horse is broader at the upper part than
that of the other. Each has a great space between the
eyes, which is considered a sure indication of energy
in an animal. The Morgan has the best open nostril
for wind and bottom, more like that of the race-horse ;
and the whole of the muzzle, as well as the eye and
ear, indicate more breeding, or a longer cultivation
than those of the Canadian. There is a difference of
shape observable throughout the whole figure. The
Morgan is long in the side, but always short on the
back, and strong and beautiful in the loins. His fins
shoulder, too, differs from that of the Canadian horse.
It is deep, well-sloped, comparatively thin at the top,
and heavy at the bottom, serving, conjointly with a
wide chest, and the fore-legs set far apart, to give the
horse an appearance of strength and. endurance scarcely
to be looked for in one of his spirit and fleetness. The
high-crested neck, and thick wavy tail of the Morgan,
show much of the character of some races of the
Canadian.
" Whether the Morgan be a scion of the Canadian
stock, or be derived from the Dutch, or some other
breed which has disappeared in the United States, ap-
pears to be a question of some importance to those who
would make good selections in order to improve the
breed of horses, and whoever can throw any light on
the subject will gratify a large portion of your readers
by making known his information through ' The Culti-
tivator.' If the French Canadian did not supply the
114 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Morgan, I, for one, should be glad to learn what other
breed has ever been known upon this continent that
could boast such excellent qualities for common serv-
ice as are universally admitted to distinguish both of
these breeds."
The great difference in form, temper, and general
character that exists between French Canadian and
Morgan horses, as pointed out in the above letter,
should cause us to receive with great caution any ac-
counts ascribing his origin to the Canadian horse.
Had Mr. Barnard been, at the time he penned the
foregoing, better acquainted with Morgan horses, he
might have added to his list of important particulars
in which the two breeds differ materially. The Mor-
gan horse is remarkable for the projection of his ribs
from the spine, giving him a wide back and a round
barrel ; while the Canadian horse is inclined to be flat-
sided. They differ much in their style of travelling.
The Morgan raises his fore-feet but little, while the Ca-
nadian horse has a high and labored action of the fore-
feet. The Canadian horse is certainly very remark-
able for the excellence of his feet, but, however the
specimen Mr. Barnard had may have failed in this
respect, poor feet are of very rare occurrence among
Morgan horses.
These remarks apply of course equally well to all
accounts that ascribe to the Morgan a French Canadian
origin. As far as the affidavit of Mr. Stearns is con-
cerned, they are not indispensable, for it can easily be
shown to be erroneous. Mr. Stearns fixes the date of
the Justin Morgan's first appearance in St. Johnsbury
in June of 180-4, which is perhaps correct. He says :
ITS ORIGIN. 115
u Uncle John said he was a Canadian horse that he
had got from Justin Morgan, of Bandolph, who had
lately brought him from Montreal" — that is to say,
within a few weeks, that spring, or, perhaps, the pre-
vious winter. Now, Justin Morgan died March 22d,
1798, or six years previous to this time, as we have
shown.
With regard to the statement of Mr. Cottrel, as
rendered by Mr. Weissenger, it will be observed that
Mr. Cottrel by no means undertakes to vouch for its
truth ; he does nothing of the sort, he merely gives it
as the most probable account, the most plausible story
in relation to it that he has heard.
If there was no direct proof to contradict it, this
story would be entitled to very little credit. It lacks
any definite points — it is stated in the loosest and most
general way. Mr. C. does not give Mr. Morgan's
christian name, and our only reason for inferring that
the Morgan here spoken of and Mr. Justin Morgan, are
one and the same individuals, is the statement that he
owned the founder of the Morgan breed of horses, and the
identitv of their vocation — each being a singing teacher
«/ CD CD CD
and living in the same vicinity ; for although Mr. C. does
not tell us where Mr. Morgan lived, we are left to sup-
pose that he lived somewhere in the neighborhood of
Mr. C, at least in that section of the country. We are
not told at what time this Mr. Smith sold this colt to
Morgan, or how old the colt was when sold; he does not
explain how it was that a man owning a fine imported
mare, which we are allowed to infer must have been
nearly if not quite thorough-bred (for we are imme-
diately told that the colt became celebrated for running
116 THE MORGAN HORSE.
short races), should set no value upon her offspring,
which from almost any kind of sire must have been
valuable at a time when racing stock was in such de-
mand and was so rare. But we will not pursue this
subject further, as the letter of Justin Morgan, the
younger, seems to us perfectly clear and conclusive on
this point ; and it is, moreover, confirmed by a great
many persons who were neighbors of Mr. Morgan's at
the time he brought the colt from Massachusetts.
Mr. David Goss, a man of high standing and charac-
ter, who owned the original Justin Morgan seven years,
says there is no doubt that the horse came from Spring-
field, Mass. Mr. Goss further says, that he had no
written pedigree of the horse, but that he bought him
believing him to be partly thorough-bred, and that no
question was ever made of it, so far as he knew, during
the lifetime of the horse. The letters of Justin and
John Morgan comprise all the important facts that can
now be obtained in relation to the place where the
horse originated ; and we can see no reason to doubt
that he was sired by True Briton, as is clearly and dis-
tinctly stated by Mr. J. Morgan. No account of the
pedigree of the horse was reduced to writing during
the lifetime of Mr. Justin Morgan, and the accounts he
gave verbally have been remembered somewhat differ-
ently by different individuals. All accounts (as before
remarked) agree that he had racing blood in his veins ;
some insist that it came from the sire, some that it came
from the dam, and still others that it came from both.
Even if we had no evidence, except what is derived
from the descriptions given of him and from his stock,
we should know that he was not a stranger to blood.
ITS ORIGIN. 117
His clean, lean head — his broad forehead — bold, full
and prominent eyes — delicate ears, and flat, long legs,
give unmistakable evidence of a large infusion of racing
or Arabian blood. Youatt says : "Few things indicate
more clearly the blood of the horse than the form of
•the frontal bones. Who has not remarked the broad,
angular forehead of the blood-horse, giving him a beau-
tiful expression of intelligence and fire, and the face
gradually tapering from the forehead to the muzzle,
contrasted with the large face of the cart or dray-horse,
and the forehead scarcely wider than the face. It is
equally true, that his exceedingly compact form, short
and upright pasterns, his short stride, and the small
space between the hip-bones and ribs, assure us of a
different origin in part.
With regard to his sire, we think there can be no
reasonable doubt that he was sired by True Briton, as
John Morgan positively states. The fact that Mr. Mor-
gan kept True Briton two years, adds great weight to
his testimony, for it not only shows that he had the
best means of knowing the facts he states, but his in-
terest in the horse would fully account for his remem-
bering them distinctly so long a time. But with regard
to the blood of True Briton, Mr. Morgan does not
state positively— though he is not in doubt as to the
fact of the horse having been purchased by Mr. Joseph
Ward, of Hartford, Conn., for three hundred dollars,
of some person who was said to have stolen him from
Gen. De Lancey.
The letter of John Morgan seems to us conclusive
evidence with regard to the sire of the Justin Morgan.
John Morgan was a man of high character for candor,
118 THE MORGAN HORSE.
truthfulness and intelligence. He lived at Springfield
at the time the Morgan horse was sired, and at the time
Justin Morgan removed to Vermont. He kept True
Briton, or Beautiful Bay, two years, and he states that
Justin Morgan kept him one year. Living on the
ground, and being interested in the sire of the Morgan
horse, he had every means of knowledge. His letter
contains within itself evidence of the care and caution
of John Morgan. "When he speaks of facts known to
himself, he states them positively : as, that he was sired
by True Briton, or Beautiful Bay, owned by Selah
Norton, of Hartford, Conn. ; that he was kept at Spring-
field one season by Justin Morgan, and two years after-
wards was kept two seasons by himself. When he comes
to speak of the origin of True Briton, he does not say
that he was raised by Gen. De Lancey, though he no
doubt believed so, but with commendable caution he
says, he (True Briton) "was said to be raised by Gen.
De Lancey, commander of the refugee troops on Long
Island, and rode by him in the Be volution. It ivas said
that one Smith stole the horse from the General, at
King's Bridge, while the General was in the tavern,
ran him across the bridge and took him to the Ameri-
can army, near White Plains, and sold him to Joseph
Ward, of Hartford, Conn. It was also said at that time,
that he was sired by the noted imported horse called
the Traveller, said to be kept in New Jersey." Again :
when he comes to speak of Ward, he says positively
that Ward was a merchant, and kept the horse three
or four years for a saddle and carriage horse, and traded
him off to Norton, &c, for these facts were within his
own knowledge and he was certain. Again, when he
ITS ORIGIN. 119
comes to speak of what became of the colt, we observe
the same caution. He says: u I have always understood
that Morgan kept the colt for a stud at Eandolph,
and was very celebrated for his stock." The considerate
reader of this letter will not fail to see that it contains
the strongest evidence of the honesty and sincerity of
John Morgan, and that it shows (what is nearly as
valuable in such a matter) that John Morgan thought-
fully and carefully distinguished between what he had
a personal knowledge of and what he believed on the
statements of others. If all inquirers on this subject
had used the same care, much error would have been
avoided.
Mr. Morgan is not, however, the only authority in
relation to the blood of True Briton. In " The Connec-
ticut Courant" for April 26th, 1791, appeared an adver-
tisement of Seiah Norton's, from which the following
extracts are made :
"Beautiful Bay will cover (for the benefit of the
public) for 155. the season, cash or grain, next fall.
* * * * His sire was the imported horse
Traveller, owned in New Jersey. His dam, De Lanoey's
imported racer. Ten pounds was offered for one of his
colts when ten days old, at Lanesborough. * *
He is in his prime, in fine order, bright bay,
fifteen hands high, trots and canters very light. * *
"SELAH NOETOK"
In the above advertisement, it is stated that he had
been kept at Springfield, which corroborates the state-
ment of John Morgan.
The fact that True Briton was stolen from General
120 THE MORGAN HORSE.
De Lancey, at King's Bridge, seems to admit of little
doubt, for the story is confirmed by many persons
living in Connecticut, who well recollect the occurrence,
and we have never heard but one version of the story
in all its main features, though told by many different
individuals.
The striking harmony that may be noticed between
these accounts of the manner in which True Briton
was brought into Connecticut, is very strong evidence
of their correctness ; and the harmony is itself accounted
for, by the singular manner in which he was obtained.
Such a fact, as the stealing of a valuable horse from
a British officer, and escaping with him, was no every-
day occurrence. It would be known to all the sur-
rounding country in a very short time, and the man
who stole him, instead of being shunned as a thief,
would be respected as the hero of a successful foray
into the enemy's country.
The fact that the horse was a valuable one, and was,
after a time, kept for a stock horse, in that section of
the country, would tend to keep alive in the minds of
those who knew him, the singular circumstances of his
coming into the country. Although Mr. John Morgan
does not assert that True Briton, or Beautiful Bay,
was sired by Traveller, yet it is plain that he believed
him to be : and Mr. Norton, in the advertisement just
quoted, distinctly states it. To this statement it may
be objected, that Norton might have been in error,
for admitting that the horse was stolen from De Lan-
cey, it is not likely that Norton could have obtained a
written voucher of his pedigree from his previous
owners ; for horse thieves, though they often manifest
ITS ORIGIN. 121
excellent judgment in the choice of animals, yet they
rarely take much pains to secure their pedigree. But
it must be remembered, that though the owner? of True
Briton may have had no written certificate of his
pedigree from his breeder, yet there were many ways
in which it could be established. De Lancey was a
man of fortune and notoriety, and had many servants
who would know as much of the pedigree of his favor-
ite horse, as he did.
Selah Norton was, in early life, a man of property,
and an enthusiastic admirer of fine horses. His inter-
est in the horse would have prompted him to make
every exertion to discover his pedigree, and that he
did so seems evident, from the direct manner in which
it is stated in the advertisement before mentioned, and
also from the additional consideration, that such was
generally believed to be the fact at that time, and so
far as we can learn, was entirely undisputed.
With regard to the clam of True Briton : Mr. Nor-
ton asserts that she was "Mr. De Lancey 's imported
racer." We believe there is no record of any impor-
tation of such an animal by De Lancey, except the
celebrated Cub mare, which he brought from England
with Wild-air. But had True Briton been sired by
Traveller, and foaled by the Cub mare, he could hardly
have escaped being noticed by " The American Farmer,"
or " Turf Register," especially as the produce of the Cub
maro was published in the Register, though not until
many years after.
While it may be doubted if the Cub mare were the
dam of True Briton, or even whether his dam was
imported, it seems to us altogether probable that she
6
122 THE MORGAN HORSE.
was a high-bred animal, for an officer of De Lancey'a
rank, wealth, and taste for horses, would not only have
been "well mounted," but he would not have been
likely to use for the saddle a horse not highly-bred,
especially as his father's stables gave ample scope for
the selection of a fine animal of this description ; nor,
on the other hand, is it probable that he rode a stallion
whose pedigree could be traced, on the side of both
sire and dam, through the best families of the English
race-horse without a flaw, (as it could have been, had
he been sired by Traveller, and his dam the Cub mare,)
for such a horse, had he been a good riding animal,
would have been very valuable, and highly prized by
breeders of race horses, and would have been kept ex-
clusively for stock. General De Lancey (we think he
was a Colonel), from whom True Briton was stolen,
was not (as has been sometimes supposed) the importer
of Wild-air, Lath, the Cub mare, &c. ; these horses were
imported by his father, James De Lancey, a son of
Lieutenant-Governor James De Lancey, a wealthy and
prominent man, and for many years a member of the
General Assembly of the State of New-York ; he was
an extensive breeder of race-horses, and owned many
celebrated, animals in addition to those we have men-
tioned. He visited England in 1775, and the war soon
after breaking out, he never returned.
L. G. Morris, Esq., of Fordham, N. Y.,in his "Sixth
Catalogue of Domestic Animals," page 79, gives another
account of the origin of True Briton. After giving
an extract from John Morgan's letter, he says : " The
other account I got in person, from Mr. Andrew Corsa,
a near neighbor of nunc, and ninety years old. Mr,
ITS ORIGIN. 123
Corsa resided within the lines and near King's Bridge,
during the Revolution ; he knew General De Lancey
well, and also his horse which Smith stole from him
at King's Bridge.
"Upon direct inquiry of Mr. Corsa, upon whom I
called with Mr. Howard of ' The Boston Cultivator,' ex-
pressly to inquire as to the above horse, he stated he was
blood bay of fine size and strength, and he had repeat-
edly seen Gren. De Lancey jump him back and forth
over a five-rail fence, for the amusement of bystanders,
and that he understood him to have been a horse sent
over from England." The only respect in which this
account differs from the one we have given is, that
Mr. Corsa says : "he understood him to be a horse sent
over from England." It seems Mr. Corsa was ninety
years old at the time he gave this information, and in
estimating the value of his testimony, much allowance
must be made for the infirmities of age, and the long
time that had elapsed since the events of which he
speaks transpired. So the nature of the different facts
he states must be considered ; for while the fact that
a fine looking bay horse should be made to jump a
five-rail fence, in the presence of a collection of people,
would be likely, from its novelty and interest, to make
a lasting impression on all who saw it ; yet few of the
spectators, if informed of the pedigree of the horse at
the time, would long remember it.
So that even had Mr. Corsa stated that True Briton
was an imported horse, it could hardly be allowed to
weigh against the published statement of Mr. Norton,
who was the owner of True Briton, and published his
pedigree while the horse was in his prime, and when
124 THE MORGAN HORSE.
we cannot doubt that the fact of his having been im-
ported could have been easily ascertained had it been
the cas3. Nor can we for a moment suppose that Mr.
Norton would fail to publish the fact, were it true,
for he had abundant means of ascertaining, and the
value of the animal as a stock horse would have
been much enhanced could he have established it.
But Mr. Corsa does not say that True Briton was
an imported horse; he simply says he " understood him
to have been a horse sent over from England," and
certainly such a loose, general, and indefinite assertion
made by a man of Mr. Corsa's age, concerning a matter
some seventy years old, and a matter in which he had
no direct interest, can be entitled to but little weight.
Immediately after the passage we have already quoted
from the catalogue of Mr. Morris, is the following sen-
tence : " The ' Black Hawk,' and ' Morgan ' of the
present day seem to differ in appearance from the
original stock, as they are rather on the pony order,
and very seldom more than fifteen hands high."
Mr. Morris is evidentlv mistaken as to the size of
True Briton, for he manifestly believes him to have
been a fine horse, while, according to the standard
he sets up, lie was simply a pony^ as it will be seen
that Mr. Norton does not claim he was a fraction over
fifteen hands high.
Finally we repeat, that though the owners of True
Briton in Connecticut may have had no written evi-
dence of his pedigree from his breeder, yet they may
have been able to satisfy themselves and the public
that he was sired by Traveller, and from a highly-
bred, if not an imported mare ; and it is very certain
ITS ORIGIN. 125
that such was generally believed to have been his
origin.
That he was a very valuable animal is evident from
the price Ward paid for him, three hundred dollars
being as extravagant a price for a carriage or saddle
horse at that day as one thousand dollars would be
now.
With regard to the pedigree of the dam of the Justin
Morgan, the only statement we remember to have seen
is that published by F. A. Weir, as we have already
given it. If this pedigree is correct, the dam must
have been at least three-eighths thorough-bred. But
there is a grave mistake in the very first sentence of
the account published by Mr. Wier, that very materi-
ally diminishes the credit that might, perhaps, otherwise
attach to the rest of the history. lie says, " The dam
of the Justin Morgan horse at the time he was sired,
was owned by Justin Morgan himself, at Springfield,
Mass., where he then lived ;" and he says (as was
no doubt true), that he was foaled in 1793, conse-
quently he was sired in 1792 ; but Mr. Morgan, as we
have already shown, removed from Springfield to Ran-
dolph, Vt. ; with his family, in 1788, and remained con-
stantly at Randolph until 1793 ; and as he was a poor
man, and owned no real estate in Springfield, it is not
likely that he owned and left any horses there.
Mr. Weir sa}^s Mr. John Morgan describes the darn
of the Justin Morgan as of the Wild-air breed, and
this may have been so; but some degree of doubt
must necessarily attach to any statements made by
persons of an advanced age, concerning the pedigree
of animals possessing no remarkable qualities that
126 THE MORGAN HORSE.
did not belong to them, and that lived and died many
years before. If this statement of Mr. Morgan was
correct, it does not assert that the dam was thorough-
bred, it means simply that she had some of Wild-air's
blood in her veins, just as we now say a mare is of the
11 Messenger breed," who may not have one- twentieth
of Old Messenger's blood in her.
If we may be allowed to judge of the correctness
of this pedigree from the appearance of the descend-
ants of the Justin Morgan, we should say there could
be no reason to doubt his near relation to the thorough-
bred or Arabian ; for even those who think least of
the Morgan breed of horses, agree that they must have
sprung from " rich high blood," as even the " distin-
guished judge of horses from Vermont" admits it.
It is thought by some that the dam of the Justin
Morgan was a descendant of Lindsey's Arabian, which
was imported into Connecticut in 1766, being then
four years old. This idea seems to have been founded
principally upon the resemblance of the Justin Morgan
to the stock of that celebrated horse, and indeed we
are not aware that there is any other ground for this
opinion; still it is entitled to some respect, for a close
and striking resemblance between different animals
in most of their leading characteristics, is certainly
strong evidence of their relationship. There can be
little question that there was a strong resemblance be-
tween them. The descendants of the Lindsey Arabian
were celebrated for their compactness, speed. and en-
durance, and for an exceedingly playful and tractable
temper ; they were highly esteemed throughout Con-
necticut and Massachusetts, and were most numerous
FLYING M0B6AN,
THE GEAHITE STATE MORGAN
ITS ORIGIN. 127
along the valley of Connecticut River. Many of the
cavalry engaged in the siege of Boston, in 1775 and
1776, were mounted on these horses, and their extraor-
dinary qualities attracted the notice of General Wash-
ington. Acting upon his advice. Mr. Lindsey found
and purchased the horse that has since borne his name,
and took him to Virginia. Previous to this time he
had been called Eanger. Xot only had the stock of this
horse become well and favorably known in the locali-
ties we have mentioned, but at that time a great deal
of interest was manifested throughout the country in
Arabian or thorough-bred stock, and it is evident that
Eanger was, then, the sire of a very numerous progeny,
or they would not have been in the army in sufficient
numbers to attract the attention of the Commander-in-
chief. It cannot, therefore, fairly be objected to this
hypothesis, that the descendants of the Lindsey Arabian
were too uncommon to render it probable.
A strong resemblance to the Arabian^ True Briton
would derive through his sire, as few horses have been
imported from England so nearly related to Arabians as
was Morton's Traveller. He was foaled in 1743, and
was imported to Virginia when about rive years old.
He was got bv Croft's Partner. Partner was by Jrgg, a
son of the Byerly Turk, and his dam was by Curwen's
Bay Barb, his g. dam was by Sport, and his g. g. dam
bv the chestnut, white leo-ofed, Lowther Barb. The dam
of Morton's Traveller was by Bloody Buttocks, an Ara-
bian. It has been often stated that Morton's Traveller
s by O'Kelly's Eclipse, his dam by King Herod,
grand dam by Blank, great grand dam by Cade, and
Cade by the Grodolphin Arabian, &c This, however, is
128 THE MOEGAN HORSE.
a mistake, the latter pedigree being that of another
" Traveller" imported in 1797. This pedigree was pub-
lished as the pedigree of Morton's Traveller in the
third volume of the "American Turf Eegister," but
was corrected in the seventh volume, and is also cor-
rectly stated in the fourth volume, page 43.
It may be said, by some, that it is surprising nothing
should be found among the papers of Justin Morgan
relating in some way to this horse, and that we should
expect the different owners of the horse would have
made -every effort to ascertain his pedigree, and that
some of them would have succeeded, as at that time
many persons must have been living in Massachusetts
that at least knew his dam and her sire.
The answer to the first objection is, that none of Justin
Morgan's papers or books have been preserved in the
family, not even a letter or a family bible. As before
stated, his family was broken up in 1793 or 1794, and
from that time until his death in 1798, he may be said
to have had no home, but lived first in one neighbor-
hood while he could find employment as a teacher,
and then removing to some new field. At the time of
his death, his children had not attained their major-
ity, and there being no one to look after them, his
papers (if he had any) were lost. Nor was it likely
that he gave an}^ written statement of his pedigree to
some third person, for it must be remembered that he
was not a farmer, or a breeder of horses, and he had
not brought his horse to Vermont to improve the breed
of horses there; but he kept him to ride from school
to school.
Thus situated, it could not be expected that he would
ITS ORIGIN. 129
make any effort to bring him into favor with his farm-
ing neighbors by explaining his pedigree, and enlarg-
ing upon the noble and extraordinary qualities of his
ancestors. Still, as he had owned the horse since he
was two years old, he would know something of his
pedigree, and would be apt occasionally to mention
it to such persons as saw and admired his spirited colt.
Finally, it must be remembered that Morgan died be-
fore his horse had arrived at full maturity.
The reason why no effort was earlier made to ascer-
tain his pedigree by his owners, or others, was that for
a long time he was not fully appreciated. After Mr.
Morgan's death he passed into the hands of persons
w r ho had but a poor opinion of him, and instead of
keeping him expressly for stock, put him to the sever-
est kinds of labor, and. it was not until several years
had elapsed, and his colts began to be highly esteemed,
that any inquiry was made as to his pedigree. So
much time had then elapsed since he came into the
country, that it was then attended with much difficulty ;
and any one who has tried it, must bear witness, that
tracing genealogies is one of the slowest and most per-
plexing kinds of business. This, together with the
want of any easy and rapid communication between dif-
ferent parts of the country to facilitate inquiry, seems
to have prevented any persistent search for the facts.
We have devoted more time and space to this sub-
iect than may be thought advisable by some of our
readers, as no pedigree, however perfectly it might be
established, or how far back it might be traced, through
any breed of horses, could enhance the value of the
race at the present time ; for, as an intelligent writer
130 THE MORGAN HORSE.
lias observed : " Before animals have produced pro-
geny, the best evidence of what their progen}^ will be,
is what their ancestors have been, because there is a
tendency to breed back. Animals of the same blood,
however, are not equally valuable as breeders ; hence,
the surest evidence of the value of a breeding animal,
is the character of the stock it produces. Thus the
value of pedigree consists in affording, in advance, an
indication of the value of an animal as a breeder, but
the character of the offspring and descendants may be
regarded as exhibiting the degree of value it possesses;
the one may be regarded as prima facia evidence, the
other as demonstrative." Pedigree is, however, valu-
able in another respect, and cannot be too carefully
preserved by breeders. By preserving the pedigrees
of animals, we are enabled to see the result of the
various crossings of different breeds and families ; can
shun the errors of former generations, and take advan-
tage of their success.
CHAPTEK VI.
MEMOIR, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE JUSTIN MORGAN.
The original, or Justin Morgan, was about fourteen
hands high, and weighed about nine hundred and fifty
pounds. His color was dark -bay with black legs,
mane and tail. He had no white hairs on him. His
mane and tail were coarse and heavy, but not so mas-
sive as has been sometimes described ; the hair of
both was straight, and not inclined to curl. His head
was good, not extremely small, but lean and bony, the
face straight, forehead broad, ears small and very fine,
but set rather wide apart. His eyes were medium
size, very dark and prominent, with a spirited but
pleasant expression, and showed no white round the
edge of the lid. His nostrils were very large, the
muzzle small, and the lips close and firm. His back
and legs were perhaps his most noticeable points. The
former was very short ; the shoulder-blades and hip
bones being very long and oblique, and the loins ex-
ceedingly broad and muscular. His body was rather
long, round and deep, close ribbed up ; chest deep and
wide, with the breast-bone projecting a good deal in
front. His legs were short, close jointed, thin, but
very wide, hard and free from meat, with muscles that
w^ere remarkably large for a horse of his size, and this
superabundance of muscle exhibited itself at every
(181)
132 THE MORGAN HORSE.'
Etcp. His hair was short, and at almost all seasons
soft and glossy. He had a little long hair about the
fetlocks, and for two or three inches above the fetlock
on the back-side of the legs ; the rest of the limbs were
entirely free from it. His feet were small but well
shaped, and he was in every respect perfectly sound
and free from any sort of blemish. He was a very
fast walker. In trotting his gait was low and smooth,
and his step short and nervous ; he was not what in
these days would be called fast, and we think it doubt-
ful whether he could trot a mile much if any within
four minutes, though it is claimed by many that he
could trot it in three.
Although he raised his feet but little, he never stum-
bled. His proud, bold and fearless style of movement,
and his vigorous, untiring action, have, perhaps, never
been surpassed. When a rider was on him, he was
obedient to the slightest motion of the rein, would
walk backwards rapidly under a gentle pressure of the
bit, and moved side-ways almost as willingly as he
moved forward ; in short, was perfectly trained to all
the paces and evolutions of a parade horse ; and when
ridden at military reviews (as was frequently the
case), his bold, imposing style, and spirited, nervous
action, attracted universal attention and admiration.
He was perfectly gentle and kind to handle, and loved
to be groomed and caressed, but he disliked to have
children about him, and had an inveterate hatred for
dogs, if loose always chasing them out of sight the in-
stant he saw them.
When taken out with halter or bridle he was in con-
stant motion, and very playful.
THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 133
He was a fleet runner at short distances. Running
horses short distances for small stakes was very com-
mon in Vermont fifty years ago. Eighty rods was
very generally the length of the course, which usually
commenced at a tavern or grocery, and extended the
distance agreed upon, up or down the public road. In
these races the horses were started from a "scratch,"
that is, a mark was drawn across the road in the dirt,
and the horses, ranged in a row upon it, went off at
"the drop of a hat" or some other signal. It will
be observed that the form of the Justin Morgan was
not such as in our days is thought best calculated to
give the greatest speed for a short distance. Those who
believe in long-legged racers will think his legs, body
and stride, were all too short, and to them it may per-
haps seem surprising that he should be successful, as
he invariably was, in such contests. But we think his
great muscular development and nervous energy, com-
bined with his small size, gave him a decided advantage
in the first start over taller and heavier horses ; just as
any ordinary horse can distance the finest locomotive in
a ten rod race. At all events, the history of racing in
this country and in England, proves conclusively, that
small horses may have great speed. In such a race a
horse of great spirit and nervous energy derives a decided
advantage from these qualities, especially after being a
little accustomed to such struggles. When brought up
to the line, his eyes flash and his ears quiver with intense
excitement, he grinds the bit with, his teeth, his hind legs
are drawn under him, every muscle of his frame trembles,
and swells almost to bursting, and at the given signal
he goes off like the springing of a- steeltrap. His un-
134 THE MORGAN HORSE.
varying success in these short races may perhaps
be partly accounted for in this way, though he was
undoubtedly possessed of more than ordinary speed,
and was a sharp runner.
Among the many races of this description that he
ran, were two in 1796, at Brookfleld, Vt, one with a
horse called Sweepstakes from Long Island, and the
other with a horse called Silver Tail from St. Law-
rence Co., New York, both of these he beat with ease.
Mr. Morgan (who then owned him) offered to give the
owner of Silver Tail two more chances to win the
stake, which was fifty dollars, by walking or trotting
the horses for it, which was declined. There are many
accounts of other races which he ran and won, but
these accounts not fully agreeing as to the details, we
have not mentioned them.
In harness the Justin Morgan was quiet but full of
spirit, an eager and nimble traveller, but patient in
bad spots ; and although for a long time steadily engaged
in the heavy work of a new farm, his owner at that
time informs us that he never knew him refuse to
draw as often as he was required to, but he pithily
adds : "I didn't very often have to ask him but once,
fur whatever he was hitched to generally had to come
the first time trying." This uniform kindness at a pull,
was one of the striking characteristics of the horse, and
the same trait may be observed in the greater part of his
descendants. " Pulling matches " and " pulling bees,"
were as common in those days as short races, and the
*' little horse," as he was often called, became quite
celebrated for his unvarying willingness to do his best,
and for his great power at what is called a " dead lift."
THE JUSTIN MORGAN". 135
The following letter from Solomon Steele, Esq., of
Derby, Yt., a gentleman who has devoted a great deal
of time and money to the improvement of horses in
his vicinity, and who, notwithstanding the apathy of
some, and the opposition of others, now enjoys the
pleasure of seeing his precepts adopted, and his exam-
ple followed by his neighbors, to their great advantage,
and the equal improvement of their stock, will be read
with interest :
"Derby Line, Yt., March 12th, 1856.
" D. C. Linsley, Esq.
"Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of yours of the 1st
inst., renewing your request that I should favor you
with such information as I may possess, in relation to
the early history of the founder of that breed of horses,
which have, at length, become so distinguished as to
be called the 'best in the world,' and known as Mor-
gans.
"I have not the vanity to presume that I can dis-
close any material facts relative to this subject, but, at
your request, I will mention some incidents connected
with the early history of this horse, which if not of
great importance, may not be void of interest. It has
bsen my privilege, in early life, to often see the original
Morgan horse, called by this name from the fact that
Justin Morgan brought him to Randolph, Yt., from
Massachusetts, in the autumn of 1795. Mr. Morgan
intended to apply him to the payment of a note held
against him, but not being able to obtain what he con-
sidered a reasonable price for him, and having no
keeping for him, he let him to a man by the name of
136 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Robert Evans, for one year, for the sum of fifteen dol-
lars. Immediately after this, Evans undertook the job
of clearing fifteen acres of heavy -timbered land for a
Mr. Fisk, and before the first of June following, had
completed the job, with no other team but this colt,
though not regarded as a ' salable horse. 1
" While Evans was engaged in piling this timber,
the remarkable powers of this horse, it would seem,
were in a measure developed, as he was then found
able to out-draw, out- walk, out-trot, or out run every
horse that was matched against him. An instance w r as
related to me by Mr. Nathan Nye, who was an eye-
witness, and whose testimony w r as never questioned.
I noted it at the time, and will relate it in his own
words :
" 'At the time Evans had this horse, a small tavern,
a grist-mill, and saw-mill were in operation on the
branch of White River, in Randolph, and at this place
the strength of men and horses in that settlement, were
generally tested. On one occasion' (says Nye), 'I
went to these mills, where I spent most of a day, and
during the time, many trials Avere had, for a small
wager, to draw a certain pine log, which lay some ten
rods from the saw-mill.
" 'Some horses were hitched to it that would weigh
twelve hundred pounds, but not one of them could
move it its length. About dusk, Evans came clown
from his logging field, which was near by, and I told
him the particulars of the drawing match. Evans re-
quested me to show him the log, which I did ; he then
ran back to the tavern and challenged the company to
hex a gallon of rum, that he could not draw the log
THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 137
fairly on to the logway, at three pulls with his colt.
The challenge was promptly accepted, and each having
"taken a glass," the whole company went down to the
spot.
"'Arrived on the ground, Evans saj^s: "I am
ashamed to hitch my horse to a little log like that, but
if three of you will get on and ride, if I don't draw it,
I will forfeit the rum." Accordingly, three of those
least able to stand were placed upon the log. I was
present with a lantern, and cautioned those on the log
to look out for their legs, as I had seen the horse draw
before, and knew something had got to come. At the
word of command the horse started, log and men, and
went more than half of the distance before stopping.
At the next pull, he landed his load at the spot agreed
upon, to the astonishment of all present.
" ' Not many days after this, the beaten party pro-
posed to Evans to run a certain horse against his,
eighty rods for another gallon. Evans accepted, went
from his work, and matched his horse against four
different horses the same evening, and beat them all
with ease.'
"Thus early in the history of the Morgan horse it
was an admitted fact, that however small, he could not
be beaten, where strength, speed, and endurance were
the test. When we see this same animal driven in
harness, or ridden by the aged and infirm with perfect
safety and confidence, and next see him at a military
review, mounted by the commander-in-chief, and dis-
playing all the fire and pride imaginable ; and after
the lapse of nearly fifty years, witnessing the same re-
markable traits in many of his descendants, we are
138 THE MORGAN HORSE.
constrained to admit, that blood is, indeed, of no small
importance in the business of horse-breeding. It should
be well understood, that throughout the long life of
the Justin Morgan (as well as that of his immediate
offspring), want of size was the universal objection.
No man of ordinary judgment could fail to discover
his peculiar points of excellence, his oblique shoulders,
high crest, fine ear, prominent and sagacious eye, per-
fect head, large and expanded nostrils, strong loins,
long hip, deep and well-spread chest, high withers,
short pasterns, strong and sinewy limbs, with all the
important muscles far surpassing in size those of any
other horse of his weight ever seen in America. The
fact that this horse has contributed more than any
other animal ever did, to the wealth of the United
States, no honest man will deny, but strange to say,
in the face of all this, the cry is still heard, too small,
too small. This reminds us of the man who sold his
hen, because she was too small, although she daily laid
eggs of gold. We rejoice, however, that we live in a
day when intelligent men cannot so easily be made the
dupes of interested parties. The farming community
are thinking and acting with more care and attention
than formerly, they are disposed to profit by past ex-
perience, they are more close observers of cause and
effect, and it is our firm conviction, that the man who
is doing most to foster and encourage this principle,, is
the world's greatest benefactor."
Through life the Justin Morgan was steadily em-
ployed in the heavy work incident to the cultivation
of a new and mountain country, and was often engaged
in similar matches to those just mentioned. Even at
THE JUSTIN MORGAN". 139
the age of fifteen we find him entered at a drawing
match, that took place at Gen. Butler's tavern, in St.
Johnsbirry. Some of his opponents are described by
persons present as large, heavy horses, yet they were
all beaten by the Justin. We mention these facts to
show the great muscular development of the horse, and
his kind and tractable temper, rather than as an evi-
dence of his value for purposes of heavy draught ; for,
although the power of an animal in starting a given
weight depends more upon his form and muscular de-
velopment than upon mere size, yet size is indispens-
able to enable a horse to move off easily upon the road
with a heavy load.
The quietness and exceedingly 23leasant temper of
the Justin Morgan, is strikingly evidenced by the fact
that he was often ridden and driven by ladies. A lady
of St. Johnsbury once told us she remembered his
appearance perfectly, and had repeatedly ridden him,
when a girl, to balls and other parties, and spoke with
much enthusiasm of his noble appearance, his high
spirit, and perfect docility.
It is exceedingly difficult to obtain accurate informa-
tion respecting the changes in owners that occurred to
the horse at different times. To account for this uncer-
tainty, we must consider that his fame has been almost
entirely posthumous, that although the champion of
his neighborhood, he was little valued, on account of
his small size ; and it was not until after his death, and
his descendants were exhibiting the powers of their
sire, in speed, strength, and endurance, in almost every
village of Eastern Yermont, that people began to
realize they had not properly appreciated him. For
140 THE MORGAN HORSE.
this reason, little notice was taken, at that time, of any
change of owners, and many persons who very well
recollect the horse, recollect nothing of these changes ;
and those who claim to recollect them, disagree much
as to the dates at which his several owners purchased
him.
We have made every exertion to collect the most
reliable information in relation to this subject, but from
the difficulties just mentioned, we fear our chronology
may not prove perfectly accurate, but believe it to be
in the main correct, and sufficiently so for all practical
purposes, as the subject derives its chief importance
from the curiosity felt in relation to it, hy those inter-
ested in his descendants.
As we have before stated, Mr. Morgan used him
almost exclusively as a riding horse, though he broke
him to harness and occasionally used him in that way.
After Mr. Morgan's death, he was sold by the estate to
William Eice, of Woodstock, Yt. Mr. Eice used him
in the ordinary work of his farm for about two years,
or until 1800 or 1801, when Eobt. Evans (who had
been constantly on the watch for an opportunity to
purchase, since he hired him of Mr. Morgan) bought
him. Mr. Evans was a poor man, with a large family,
and was what is called a great worker. In addition to
the work upon his own place, he was constantly under-
taking jobs for his neighbors — clearing land, hauling
logs, building fence, &c, &e. The "little horse" was
Mr. Evans' only team, and of course his labor was very
severe. Mr. Evans kept him three or four years, or
until 1804, when he was sued for debt ; Col. John Goss
became his bail, took the horse for security, and finally
THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 141
paid the debt and kept him. Mr. John Goss v v r as not
much of a horseman, and therefore took the horse to
his brother, David Goss, of St. Johnsbury, who was
quite a horseman, and made arrangements with him
to keep him for a stock horse. After David had kept
him a year, he was so much pleased with him that
he exchanged a fine mare with his brother for him,
adding cash or other property. The horse in this trade
was valued at one hundred dollars. Mr. David Goss
kept him seven years, or until 1811, and it was while
owned by him that the Hawkins, Fenton, and Sherman
horses were sired. Mr. Goss kept him almost con-
stantly at work on his farm, with the exception of about
two months in the spring of each year. While his
property, although put to hard work, the horse was not
overworked or abused, but was properly treated and
cared for. David Goss sold him to his son Phillip, and
some of his colts about Randolph having grown up and
proved valuable, there was some inquiry for the horse
in that vicinity, and he was accordingly taken back to
that town. This was in 1811. He was now nineteen
years old, and those who owned him at different times
after this, generally seemed eager to get rid of him,
for fear he should die on their hands. Immediately
after his return to Randolph, he seems to have been
taken care of by Robt. Evans, his former owner, for it
was during this year that Bullrush was sired, and he
was at that time in the possession of Mr. Evans. Soon
after this, or in the autumn of 1811, Phillip Goss sold
him to Jacob Sanderson ; Sanderson sold him to a Mr.
Langmade, who used the old horse hard, considering
his age. He worked him some time in a six-horse
142 THE MORGAN HORSE.
team, hauling freight from Windsor to Chelsea. Under
this treatment he became thin and poor, and was pur-
chased for a trifle by Mr. Chelsea, and shortly after sold
by him to Joel Goss, of Claremont, N. H. Mr. Goss
kept him one year, and sold him to Mr. Samuel Stone,
of Kandolph. Mr. Stone kept him two or three years,
or until 1819, when he sold him, and he soon after
became the property of Levi Bean, who owned him
until his death, which happened in the winter of 1821,
at the farm of Clifford Bean, situated about three miles
south of the village of Chelsea, Yt.
At twenty-nine years of age, no cause need be as-
signed for his death but the ravages of time and the
usual infirmities of years ; but old age was not the im-
mediate cause of his death. He was not stabled, but
was running loose in an open yard with other horses,
and received a kick from one of them in the flank ; ex-
posed without shelter to the inclemency of a northern
winter, inflammation set in and he died. Before re-
ceiving the hurt which caused his death, he was per-
fectly sound, and entirely free from any description of
blemish. His limbs were perfectly smooth, clean, free
from any swelling, and perfectly limber and supple.
Those persons who saw him in 1819 and 1820,
describe his appearance as remarkably fresh and youth-
ful. Age had not quenched his spirit, nor damped the
ardor of his temper ; years of severest labor had not
sapped his vigor, nor broken his constitution ; his eye
was still bright, and his step firm and elastic.
However various may be the opinions different per-
sons may entertain respecting the merits of the Justin
Morgan, we doubt whether any horse can be instanced,
THE JUSTIN MOKGAN. 143
in this or any other country, that has so strikingly im-
pressed npon his descendants, to the fifth and sixth
generations, his own striking and valnable character-
istics ; and it may be safely asserted that the stock of
no horse ever bred in this conntry has proved so gener-
ally and largely profitable to the breeders of it. The
raising of it has made the fortunes of hundreds of indi-
viduals, and added hundreds of thousands, if not
millions of dollars, to the wealth of Yermont and New
Hampshire.
CHAPTEK VII.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE STALLIONS SIRED BY THE
JUSTIN MORGAN.
It lias frequently been asserted that but four stal-
lions were kept for stock that were sired by the Justin
Morgan — namely, Bulrush, Sherman, Woodbury, and
Revenge. The first we remember to have seen of this
statement in print was in a published letter from F. A.
"Weir, of Walpole, New Hampshire, that appeared in
the "Albany Cultivator," vol. hi., page 19 ; but it may
have been published before, and Mr. "Weir may have
only copied it. Since that time itehas been printed in
many different papers, and by some has been printed
in a way that in effect endorses it, and has thus given
such currency to it, that it is credited by a great many
persons who have a pretty good knowledge of the
history of Morgan horses, but do not happen to know
of any other stallions kept from the Justin Morgan,
except those above mentioned.
Thus they are readily led to believe the assertion, as
it exactly coincides with their own knowledge on the
subject; it does not stop short of what they know, and
it goes no farther; but however generally this may
have been believed, it is very certain that it is a mis-
take.
Nothing can be more natural than such an error, as,
if it were true, it would be nearly if not quite impossi-
(144)
o
O
►
feJ
SONS OF THE JUSTIN. 145
ble to prove it ; for to do this, it is necessary to show
what was the character, and history until they were
grown, of all and each, of the colts sired by the Justin
Morgan, through a period of twenty-five years, during
which time he was owned by many different individ-
uals, and kept at many different places. This we be-
lieve cannot be shown. It will at once be seen that
the task of substantiating the pedigree of any given
number of his colts, is an easy one, compared with that
of demonstrating that there were no more. Therefore,
while we shall describe the horses mentioned by Mr.
"Weir, and also two others, we shall not venture the
assertion that but six stallions were kept from the
Justin Morgan ; indeed, we do not believe that sucli
was the fact ; on the contrary, we have no doubt there
were others, and we can only say, that we have been
able to obtain no authentic account of more than
six.
Between all the stallions left bv him there was a
very close and striking resemblance, in size, form, and
general character, and they also bore equal resemblance
to their sire ; indeed, the power of transmitting to bis
progeny his own form, constitution and temperament,
was a very distinguishing trait of the Justin Morgan,
and we believe no horse ever lived that possessed in a
higher degree the power of stamping upon his offspring
his own great leading characteristics.
Although it is not true that only four stallions were
kept from the old horse, yet it is true that but four of
them became celebrated, and of these four, one (Re-
venge) derives his chief celebrity from the association
of his name with those of Sherman, Woodbury, and
7
146 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Bulrush. Xot that he nor the others we shall mention
were necessarily less valuable than the three just
named, but accidents of location and ownership will
often prevent the most valuable animals from becom-
ing well and favorablv known.
The important features that characterized the Justin
Morgan, his compactness of form, his high and gener-
ous spirit, combined with the most perfect gentleness
and tractability : his bony, sinewy limbs, his lofty style,
and easy but vigorous action, were stronsrlv and strik-
inglv im] i sssed upon his offspring. Xot only did his
viable qualities descend unimpaired to the next gem
r fron, but apparently with little diminution to the
second and third : and thus it is that where pains have
been taken to select both sires and dams, p ring
most of his blood and characteristics y ung: colts may
now be found that closely re-emble him in ail import-
ant respects, except size, in which there has been a
decided increase. We have stated our belief that there
were more than six horses kept as stallions, but we
think it doubtful whether any stock can be traced to
the Fenton horse, and but very little is descended from
Eevenge or the Hawkins horse.
The Hawkins horse was foaled in 1806, or 1807, the
property of Mr. Melvin. of St. Johnsbury, Tt. He
a sired by the Justin Morgan, his dam was a bay
about fifteen hands night, of fine form and excellent
action. She was sired by a black horse brought from
Connecticut, and said to have been an imported
thorough-bred racer, but it is not probable that he was,
as we can find no record of any such importation near
HAWKIX5 HOES I. 147
that time, or sufficiently near to render it probable that
his dam could have been sired by such a horse.
When three years old. Mr. Alelvin sold him to Olney
Hawkins, a near neighbor. Hawkins was Captain of a
troop, and he bought the colt to use as a parade horse.
After keeping him five or six years, he sold him to his
brother Stephen. Stephen kept him two years at St.
Johnsbury, and then took him to Stanstead. C
East. Here the horse remained a few rears, and left
some stock. From Stanstead he was taken to Uj st
Canada, but after this we are unable to trace him, and
do not know where he was kept or when he died. He
was a jet black, about fifteen hands high, not quite so
compact as his sire, a little taller, and a very little
heavier. His shoulders, back and loins. we re excellent.
He carried his head high, had a bold, resolute, and
vigorous style of action, and was undoubtedly the
fastest horse of the six: he was a smart trotter, and a
good runner. His eye was a little fierce in its expres-
sion, ancf he was inclined to be cross, and not b Tract-
able as the rest. He was me of the best acting and
finest-looking horses under the saddle ever in the State,
The Fenton horse was foaled in 1808, the property
of Richard Fenton, of St. Johnsburv. Yt. He was
:1 bv the Justin Morgan : dam. a bay of unknown
blood, nor can we learn any particulars of any import-
ance respecting her form and style, except that she was
well known in the neighborhood as an excellent ani-
mal. He was a beautiful blood bay, with black les^,
mane, and tail ; and about fourteen and a half hands
high. He verv closelv resembled his sire, was verv
148 THE MORGAN HORSE.
compact and muscular, had the same nervous and vig-
orous action, the same lofty and fearless style, and we
are inclined to think was one of the best, if not the best,
of the Justin's colts. There were but few colts left by
him, as when six years old he bit his owner quite
severely, and he had him castrated. We cannot learn
that any of his colts were kept as stallions.
Eevenge was foaled in 1815, the property of Cyrus
Moore, of Claremont, N. H. Sired by Justin Morgan.
Dam, a light brown with a white stripe in the face, and
white hind feet ; she was a smart driver, but did not
carry her head high ; nor did she have a good gait, as
she sometimes paced. Her sire is not known ; her
dam was bay with white in the face, and was owned
by Mr. Ball, of Unity, N. II. She paced a good deal,
but was very smart. jSTothing is known of her sire or
clam, but she was called at that time a " Narra^ansett
pacer."
Mr. Moore sold Eevenge the autumn after he was
two years old to Nehemiah Kice. Mr. Eice kept him
two or three years, and sold him to a Mr. Tyler, and
he kept him in the vicinity of Claremont until nine
years old, when Mr. Moses Wheeler, of Claremont, pur-
chased a half interest in him, and the next season pur-
chased the other half. After keeping him one year,
Mr. Wheeler sold him, and he passed through many
different hands. He was kept near Connecticut river
at Claremont, Cnyydon, Cornish, AVethersfleld, and
intermediate points. In 1885 or 1836, he became the
property of Edwin Billings, of Claremont, who kept
him until he died. In April, 1837, Mr. Billings drove
REVENGE. 149
him to Chester, Vt., intending to go to the western
part of the State, but here the horse was taken sick
and died suddenly.
Eevenge was a dark bay, or light brown. In the
spring after shedding his coat he might almost be called
a black, but in the winter he was often called a bay ; he
was about fourteen and a half hands high, and weighed
fully one thousand pounds ; he had less action than
either Woodbur}^ or Sherman ; but he had a very close-
knit form, with excellent back, loins, hips, and limbs ; *
his chest and shoulders were not so fine as some of the
others, nor did he have a very smooth, easy gait, but
he never paced nor hitched. He had plenty of life,
great endurance, and, as one of his owners said to us,
" he was an ugly customer to get away from on the
road." His stock were dark bay or brown, and occa-
sionally chesnut. They had good size, were strong,
hardy, and enduring ; generally free drivers, but had
not as easy action nor as good style as the stock from
the others ; and some of them would both pace and trot.
When a colt, Eevenge was frightened by the breaking
of some portion of his harness or carriage, and ran
away. From the effects of this fright he never fully
recovered, and if driven single would pull hard when
a little excited, but we have not heard of his ever run-
ning, except on the occasion just mentioned. He was
perfectly sound.
Of his colts, we have been able to learn of but one
that was kept a stallion. It was a very dark chestnut,
about fifteen hands high, and weighed about ten hundred
and fifty pounds. In 1853 he was owned by Mr. John
Clark, at Dunham, Canada East, and we think w
150 THE MORGAN HORSE.
raised by him at Windsor, Vt., where he formerly
lived. This horse had an excellent, open gait, fine style,
and was called the fastest horse in his neighborhood.
As it has been stated that the dam of Revenge was
white, we have taken much pains to obtain the most
reliable information upon this point, and have visited
several persons who knew her well for years, and
knew the colt "Revenge" from the time he was foaled
until he died, and without a single exception they
describe her color as we have stated it.
Sherman was foaled in 1803 or 1809, the property
of James Sherman, of I/ynclon, Vt. It has been said,
that Sherman was foaled in 1810, and it has also been
said that he was foaled in 1811. It is not at all surpris-
ing that his age should be understated by a year or two,
as the horse who lives to be more than ten years old,
loses nothing so easily as one or two years of his age.
Our reasons for stating his age as we have, are these :
Mr. George Sherman, son of James Sherman, informs
us that he has now been married forty-five years, and
that in the summer after he was married, his father let
him take the horse, then a colt, to keep and use. Mr.
Sherman's wife also well recollects the above facts, but
neither of them can say positively whether the colt
was two or three years old, though both of them think
he was three ; and from the fact that Mr. Sherman used
him a good deal that summer, it seems most probable
that such was his age. Sherman was sired by the
Justin. With regard to the blood of his dam, much
has been said and a good deal written, but we think
little is actually known.
SHERMAN. 151
Mr. George Sherman says, his father brought the mare
from Cranston, Ehocle Island, to Lyndon, Vermont;
that she was a chestnut, of good size, high spirited, and
an "elegant" animal; "we called her of Spanish
breed."
'The late Hon. Epaphras Seymour, of Brattleboro',
Vi, a gentleman of fortune and high standing, and
passionately fond of horses, spent much time in endeav-
oring to ascertain the pedigree and early history of
the Justin Morgan and his descendants. Among the
memorandums left by him, now in possession of the
Hon. F. Holbrook, which the latter gentleman has
kindly permitted us to examine, we find the following :
" Matthew Allen, of Guildhall, now seventy years old
or over, informs me that James Sherman and himself
came from Rhode Island to St. Johnsbmy, in 1799 ;
before they left, Mr. John Brown, of Providence, gave
Mr. Sherman an imported English mare, of great
beauty, a fine saddle-mare, and so used by his daugh-
ters (she was then spavined) ; she was a mahogany
brown, 15 1-2 hands high, delicate make." Mr. Allen
goes on to state, that this mare was the dam of the
Sherman.
Mr. S. C. Gibbs, of Littleton, New Hampshire, who
purchased the horse of Mr. James Sherman, gives the
following account of the dam : " She was bought at the
South (I think in Virginia), by Mr. John Sherman, of
Providence, Rhode Island, who had friends in that
State. He purchased her for her beauty and speed.
Soon after he returned with her, she unfortunately
slipped her hip. He then gave her to his brother James,
of Lyndon."
152 THE MORGAN HOESE.
It has also been said that the dam was long
owned by Nicholas Brown, of Providence, Rhode
Island, one of the well-known firm of Brown k Ives,
formerly a large importing honse. Mr. George Sherman
says, his father bought the mare of Doctor Fiske, of
Cranston, Rhode Island. It is of little consequence
which of these accounts is correct, as none of them un-
dertake to give her pedigree. If either had made an
attempt to do this, the question would have possessed
more interest and some importance. It certainly con-
cerns us little to know, in what manner, or from whom,
Mr. Sherman obtained her, if we cannot go beyond that
and learn something of her pedigree. We are inclined
to think the statement of Mr. Sherman entitled to the
most credit, because we think his means of knowing the
facts of which he speaks were much superior to the others.
His father used the horse several years, valued him
highly, and was often interrogated as to the dam.
George must have often heard his father describe the
circumstances under which he obtained her ; they must
have been well known in the family, and the constantly
increasing fame of the horse would keep alive in its
members the recollection of them, as related by James
Sherman. Mr. George Sherman is a man, whose
character for the most unwavering honesty has been
long and thoroughly established, where he is known.
Whoever may have bred the mare, and whether of
Spanish or English descent, it is certain she was a fine
animal. She was chestnut, with three white feet, and
a white stripe in the face. Her head was good, ears
small, neck light and rather long ; not very compactly
formed and never " carried much flesh." She carried
SHERMAN. 153
her head high, w r as a spirited traveller, and an excellent
saddle beast. She was very pleasant tempered, and
worked kindly in all places.
" Sherman" was a bright chestnut, about thirteen and
three-quarters hands high, and weighed nine hundred
and twenty-five pounds. His 'off hind-leg Avas white
from the foot halfway to the hock, and he had a small
white stripe in the face ; his head was lean and well
shaped, ears small and fine, eyes inclined to be small,
but full, prominent and lively ; his legs had some long
hairs upon the back-side, but were broad, flat and
sinewy. He had a capital chest, with the breast-bone
very prominent; the shoulders were large and well
placed, the neck excellent, the mane and tail full, but
not remarkably heavy. His hips were long and deep ?
the loins broad and muscular, but he w r as a little hollow
or " sw ay-backed ;" still, no suspicion of a weak back
could attach to him, or he would have broken down
under the rough treatment he received in early life.
When four years old, Mr. Sherman put him to hard
work, and though for about two months in the spring
of each year he worked but little, yet the remainder of
the year his labor was very severe. Mr. Sherman w^as
a hard working man, and animals under his charge had
few opportunities to rest. Most of the year the horse
was kept constantly at work on the farm ; much of which
he helped to "clear up." In the winter, Mr. Sherman
usually ran a team steadily from Lyndon, Vermont, to
Portland, Maine. For several years, this team consisted
of this horse, and a half brother, sired by the Justin
Morgan, a year older and a little larger than Sherman.
Mr. Sherman was not a man to be outdone at drawing
r#
154 THE MORGAN HORSE.
or driving, and Tie was always ready to match, his
team against any he met, either to draw or run, for a
triflinsr waffer. His "little team "became famous at
every inn from Lyndon to Portland, and after a time
the teamsters that knew them were afraid to match
horses of any size against them. In the spring, when
the sleighing became poor, the men who had been com-
panions through the winter in the severe labor of team-
ing across the country, would often congregate at the
village taverns, to spin yarns of their simple but rough
adventures, engage in wrestling, running foot and horse
races, drawing matches, and many games invented to
test the speed or strength of either men or horses. In
addition to these attractions, the prospect of a social
glass of " Old Santa Cruz," may have had some influ-
ence in drawing together the people collected on these
occasions, for it was at that time considered a pleasant
beverage, and it was not generally known to be a subtle
poison. Certain it is that these games were well at-
tended, and were conducted with much spirit. Drawing-
matches were at that time very common. At Lyndon,
the usual way of drawing was to attach a horse to a
sled, fill it with men, and draw the load up a steep hill
just north of the tavern. "When each his utmost
strength had shown" Sherman would add a small boy
to the largest load and commence the ascent, well satis-
fied if he could gain two or three feet at a pull, for
nothing discouraged his horse, and it was difficult to
load him so that he could not move a little. These
facts are perfectly well known to many persons now
living at Lyndon, and we mention them, not from
any intrinsic interest they may possess, but having
SHERMAN. 155
said that Sherman was slightly hollow-backed, we
thought it necessary to show, that if so, his back was
by no means weak.
Such was the kind of service to which Mr. Sher-
man put his horse from the time he was four years
old until he was about ten, when he sold him to
Stephen C. Gibbs, of Littleton, New Hampshire, in
1819. Mr. Gibbs kept him one year, and sold him
to John Buckminster, of Danville, Vermont, but Mr.
Gibbs had charge of him two years longer. After
this, he was kept at Danville and vicinity until 1829,
when he was purchased of Mr. Buckminster by Mr.
John Bellows, of Lancaster, N. H. r ftie summer of
1829 he was kept at Littleton, N. H., in charge of
Stephen C. Gibbs ; in 1830 he was kept at Dover and
vicinity ; in 1831 he was at Col. Jaques' Ten Hills
Farm, Charlestown, Mass. ; in 1832 he was at Dover,
and Durham, X. H. ; in 1833 he was kept at Lancaster,
N. H. ; and in 1834, at Dover and vicinity. He died
at Mr. Bellows' stable, in Lancaster, the 9th of January,
1835. The cause of his death is unknown. He was
left at ten o'clock in the morning apparently perfectly
well, and at one o'clock in the afternoon was found dead.
With the exception of some slight indications of age,
he was apparently as free from every species of blemish
or infirmity, the morning of the day he died, as when he
was foaled. His skin has been preserved and stuffed,
and may still be seen at the stable of Mr. George Bel-
lows, at Lancaster, K. H.
Sherman had not so bold and resolute a style of
action, and was not so nervous and high tempered as
Woodbury ; nor was he, in the language of the stable,
156 THE MORGAN HOUSE.
so well "finished up;" but lie was more tractable, was
exceedingly spirited, and a keen, rapid driver — possessed
great powers of endurance, a free and noble spirit that
needed neither whip nor spur, and courage that never
flagged.
Woodlury, sometimes called the Burbank horse,
and known in Windsor county as the Walker horse,
was foaled the latter part of May, 1816, the property
of Lyman Wight, of Tunbriclge, Vt. It has been said,
that he was raised by a " Mr. White," but this is a
mistake that would easily occur ; the pronunciation of
the two names^s almost the same, and the latter being
much more commonly used, the name has been misun-
derstood. Woodbury was sired by the Justin Morgan.
Of the blood of his dam, we are unable to learn any-
thing. At the time the colt was foaled, Mr. Lyman
Wight was a young man, about eighteen years old, and
the dam belonged to his father, William Wight, who
had loaned her to his son for the purpose of raising a
colt. She was five years old when the colt was born.
Mr. Wight purchased her the year before, of a Maj.
John Moulton, of Bethel, Vt., who brought her into
that town. She was large, being over fifteen hands
high, and weighed about eleven hundred pounds ; she
was of a deep bay color, with black legs, mane and tail,
a small white spot in the forehead, and no other marks.
She was not very compactly made, and was rather flat-
ribbed ; but she had an excellent chest, fine shoulders
and hips, and excellent limbs. Her head was very fine,
ears good, and mane and tail beautiful. She carried
her head high, was a very free, spirited driver, and was
WODPBURT. 157
called fast at that time. She both paced and trotted,
generally starting in the former gait, and after going a
short distance changing it for a trot. When trotting:,
she made a fine appearance, and going fast attracted
much attention. She was a very fast walker. The
autumn after the colt was foaled, about the usual time
of weaning, Mr. Wight sold him to David Woodbury,
of Bethel, Vt., for fifty dollars. Mr. Woodbury kept
him until grown, and sold him to his brother John.
John had a taste for good horses, and in his hands
the horse began to be a little known. He kept him at
Bethel and the neighboring towns a few years, and
sold him to Ebenezer Parkhurst, who kept him in the
same neighborhood until March, 1826, when he sold
him to Simon Smith and Wm. Walker, of Hartland,
Vt., for five hundred dollars. Soon after this, Messrs.
Smith and Walker dissolved partnership, Mr. Walker
keeping Woodbury. Mr. Walker had a passion for
horses ; he saw and appreciated the remarkable features
of the Justin Morgan and his stock, and took much
pains to bring them into notice ; but like many a
pioneer in a new business, he could not make it pay,
and being a man of small means, he was compelled to
"sacrifice his horse," as he terms it, "for the insignifi-
cant sum of four hundred dollars," and sold him to
Peter Burbank, Esq., of Newbury, Vt. Mr. Burbank
was a lawyer, and not a farmer or breeder, but he was
fond of horses and had a discriminating eye for their
good points, and having seen the Woodbury at Keene,
1ST. H., he (in his own words) "fell in love with him at
first sight." Fearing to trust to his own judgment
alone, he consulted Jesse Johnson, of Bradford, Vt., a
158 THE MORGAN HORSE.
gentleman who not only possesses excellent taste as to
the proper style and general figure of a fine horse, but
has also that close, critical eye, that seems almost at a
glance to take in all the minute defects of form that a
more careless observer might fail to discover. Mr.
Johnson did not foil to perceive the extraordinary
merits of the horse, and advised Mr. Burbank to pur-
chase him, which he did the 20th of May, 1830. From
this time until 1836, he was taken charge of by Jesse
Johnson and Brothers, and kept at their place in Brad-
ford, Vt., during the winter and latter part of the sum-
mer and autumn of each year, and one or two years
during all the seasons. During the years 1830 and
1831, he remained at their stable at Bradford. The
season of 1832, he was kept at Keene, N. EL; the season
of 1833, he was kept at Burlington, Yt., and the seasons
of 1835 and 1836, he was kept at Bradford and vicinity.
In September, 1836, Mr. Burbank having died, the ad-
ministrators of his estate sold him to Norman Baglee,
of Alabama, who took him to Gainesville, in that State,
where he died in 1838, being twenty-two years old.
"Woodbury was fourteen and three-quarters hands
high, and weighed from nine hundred and eighty-eight
pounds to ten hundred and forty pounds; he was
weighed several times, and these two statements of his
weight, at different times, are the extremes. Many
persons who have frequently seen him weighed, say
they never knew him weigh more than ten hundred
and thirty, nor less than ten hundred and fifteen pounds.
lie was a dark, rich chestnut; his off hind-leg was
white from the foot half wav to the hock, and he had
a white stripe in his face, beginning at the edge of the
WOODBURY. 159
apper-lip, filling the space between the nostrils, and
extending more than half way to his eyes. His mane
was not very thick, or long, and was lighter than either
of the others, still it was full. His tail was cut off
when a colt, and left about ten inches long : the hair
' CD 1
was very full, and curly ; both mane and tail were about
the same color as his body. The hair on the body
was fine, short and soft. He was close and compactly
built, with heavy quarters and deep flanks ; his chest
was good and the shoulders finely shaped ; he had a
short back, and broad, sinewy loins. His legs had
some long hairs on the back-side, but were well shaped,
somewhat larger than Sherman's and not so large as
Bulrush's. His head was small and lean, with a fine,
firm muzzle, the nostrils very large and full, face
straight, very wide between the eyes, which were dark
hazel, very large and prominent, and showed no white
around the edge of the lid. His ears were small and
fine, but rather short, and set somewhat wider apart
than many would consider consistent with perfect
beauty. His style of action was bold and resolute, and
his temperament was so nervous, that when taken out
with a bridle it was almost impossible to keep him still.
He was a good driver and appeared well in harness, but
he appeared to the best advantage under the saddle.
Militia Colonels and Generals were eager to ride him,
and no "musters" or reviews could pass without his
being seen; in his case, to be seen was to be admired.
His disposition was pleasant and playful.
As has been said, he was taken to Gainesville, Ala.,
in the autumn of 1836, being then twenty years old.
He was shipped from Boston, on board a small sailing
160 THE MORGAN HORSE.
vessel ; lie suffered much from the long and stormy
passage, and never fully recovered from the effects of
it. It is altogether likely that the climate and food did
not agree with him, for neither was such as he had been
accustomed to ; however this may be, it is certain he
continued to fail until he died in 1838. Woodbury was
the largest of these horses, and possessed in a greater
degree the bold, fearless and showy style of their
sire ; he was more nervous, and less tractable than
Sherman, better under the saddle, not so pleasant in
harness, and we are inclined to think hardly as good
a roadster. His form was more symmetrical than
either of the others ; his breast was not so full and
prominent as Sherman's ; he was deeper in the flanks
and better quartered. No horse ever had less fear.
Martial music only roused him, the firing of guns
in no way disturbed him, waving flags and gay uni-
forms seemed hardly able to attract from him a single
glance, and he moved about as if he was himself the
principal object of attraction and the cause of all the
attending excitement and display.
Bulrush was foaled in 1812 or 1813. Of this we
think there can be no reasonable doubt, although it has
been stated that he was foaled in 1816. We have con-
sulted persons who owned both Bulrush and Woodbury,
and they all agree that Bulrush was the oldest of the two.
Now, there is no question but that Woodbury was
foaled in 1816, and if Bulrush was older, it is altogether
probable that he was more than one year older, for the
Justin Morgan was taken to Claremont early in the
spring of 1814, and remained there one year, and the
3
o
w
a
CD
BULRUSH. 161
dam of Bulrush was owned in Eandolph, Yt., the year
he was sired, so that in the absence of any other tes-
timony, we might very reasonably conclude that he was
not foaled later than 1814; but the testimony of Chester
Belknap is clear and direct, that he was foaled in 1812.
Mr. Belknap was married in 1819 ; his father, who
raised the horse, owned him at that time, and soon after
sold him to Abel Densmore, of Chelsea, Yt. ; he was then
seven years old. This statement of Mr. Belknap's, in
relation to the age of Bulrush, is confirmed by many
persons who knew him well, and there can hardly be
a doubt that it is correct. The blood of the dam of
Bulrush is unknown. She was a dark bay, with black
legs, and heavy black mane and. tail ; she was low and
compact, had heavy limbs, with large joints, neck rather
long, a good head, but did not carry it up very well ;
she was a sharp trotter, but was not a very spirited
driver ; she was said to be, and had the appearance of
being, part French. She was owned by Mr. Moses
Belknap, of Eandolph, Yt., at the time Bulrush was sired.
Mr. Belknap obtained her of a Mr. Boutwell, a teamster
from Montpelier, Yt., who worked her in a six-horse
team, hauling merchandise and produce between Mont-
pelier and Boston. She was a very rugged, hardy, en-
during animal, but Mr. Boutwell thought her too small
for his business, and he exchanged her with Mr. Belk-
nap for a larger horse. She weighed about ten hundred
pounds. Mr. Belknap sold her late in the winter, when
in foal by Justin Morgan, to Ziba Gilford, Esq., of Tun-
bridge, Yt., Mr. GifYord to keep the colt until four
months old and return it to Mr. Belknap, or pay thir-
162 THE MORGAN HORSE.
teen dollars more and keep it. Mr. Gifford preferred
to return the colt and did so.
Mr. Belknap kept Bulrush in Tunbridge and vicin-
ity, until 1819, when he sold him to Abel Densmore,
of Chelsea, Vt. Mr. Densmore sold him to Darius
Sprague, of Randolph, Vt., who sold him March 8th,
1826, to Messrs. Simon Smith and William Walker, of
Hartland, Vt., for three hundred and fifty dollars. They
kept him at Hartland. and vicinity, until they dissolved
partnership in 1829, when Mr. Smith took Bulrush to
Maidstone, Vt. He kept him one year at Chelsea and
two years in the State of Maine, and in 1833 sold him
to Jesse Johnson and Brothers, of Bradford, Vt. The
season of 1833 he was kept at Bradford, Vt., and
Bath, N. H. ; the season of 1834 at Keene, N". H. ;
the season of 1835, at Lyme, N. EL, and "Bradford, Vt. ;
and the season of 1836, at Burlington, Vt. During
the winter of 1836 and 1837, the Messrs. Johnson
sold him to Messrs. Blake and Foss, of Chelsea, Vt.,
who kept him in that town until 1812, when they sold
him to Lewis Jenkins, of Fairlee, Vt., who kept him
at Fairlee until he sold him to F. A. Weir, of Walpole
N. II., who kept him until he died in 1848.
Bulrush was a dark bay, with a few white hairs in
his forehead, and no other marks ; his legs, mane and
tail were black, and his. mane and tail were very heavy
— the former came down nearly to Lis knees, and his
foretop came down to his nose ; his tail was cut off
when voung and left about nine or ten inches long:
his legs were large and had some long hair, were close-
jointed, broad, flat, and exhibited a more striking de-
BULRUSH. 163
velopment of muscle than either Woodbury's or Sher-
man's ; his back was not so short as either of the others',
but it was very broad, and he was freer from any im-
putation of sway-back than any of his brothers, though
towards the close of his life he indeed fell away in his
loins, as is always the case in old stallions. His hips
were very good, but not so long as Sherman's, and he
was not so well quartered as Woodbury, but he was
dee|3er in the chest than either of them ; his shoulders
were thicker and not so well placed, and his head and
neck were not so well set up. He was not so proud,
bold and lofty in his carriage as Woodbury, and he had
not Sherman's short, nervous step, and tractable but
high-spirited temper ; but he was a sharp, quick driver,
and a faster trotter than either of them. He was a
little inclined to be cross, but was not fierce, or in any
respect unmanageable ; on the contrary, he was very
kind in harness, always working pleasantly wherever
put. His most remarkable characteristic was his power
of endurance. For this, we think it is generally ad-
mitted, he had no rival ; and his extraordinary lasting-
ness has become proverbial where he was known. His
stock bear a strong resemblance to him, and are very
numerous-; are mostly dark bay without marks, never
sorrel or light chestnut ; occasionally a dark gray, from
a white mare, may be found. Bulrush was about four-
teen hands high, and weighed about one thousand
pounds.
Bulrush, Sherman, and Woodbury, were treated
very much alike. Until after ten years old, each of
them was employed most of the time at the ordinary
team-work of a farm, and at no period of their lives did
164 THE MORGAN HORSE.
they have any more care than the common horses of
the country ; and never had much knowledge of thick
blankets and warm stables, but were early inured to
the labor and hardship, fatigue and exposure, incident
to a new and mountainous country and a cold climate.
It is not improbable that the cold, dry atmosphere, and
pure water of our mountains, has contributed as much
as the rich pastures of our valleys to the stoutness,
courage and lastingness of our horses.
"We have thus slightly sketched the more obvious
distinctions and general characteristics of these cele-
brated sons of the original or Justin Morgan. While
they differed in the particulars we have herein set forth
(which, difference was rather in the degree, than the
nature of their qualities,) they all possessed the great
and striking features of their distinguished sire. The
same compactness of form, great muscular development,
hardy, rugged constitution, docility and tractableness,
short, easy, rapid step, eager ambition and lofty courage,
so remarkable in him, were found in each of them in a
high degree. Through these noble channels, the blood
of the Justin Morgan has been poured profusely into
the hitherto hardy stock of Vermont, conveying not
only the very form of the great original, but all his
unrivalled vigor, grace, and ease of motion, combined
with his docility and matchless courage.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT FAMILIES AND THEIR
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS.
Any disinterested reader of the articles that have at
various times appeared in the sporting and agricultural
magazines of the country, written by persons interested
in the different families of thorough-breds, cannot fail
to have noticed that a great diversity of opinion exists
among them, as to the relative value of the stock of
these different families. They may agree perfectly as
to the unrivalled excellence of some common ancestor,
but differ widely as to the relative merits of the differ-
ent families descended from him. They will unite in
an effort to make it appear that Diomed was the finest
horse ever imported to this country ; but, guided by
different tastes or diverse interests, will make a corre-
sponding effort to advance the claims of particular fam-
ilies descended from him. • One asserts that Sir Archy
was far the most worthy of his sons, and points exult-
ingly to the unrivalled speed and beauty of Sir Henry ;
while another with equal confidence sustains the claims
of Duroc to this distinction, and triumphantly refers to
the unequalled power and endurance of Eclipse. Again,
another interested, perhaps, in other strains of blood
says : Sir Henry was too small, and believes Eclipse
derived his lasting endurance from Messenger or Ginr
crack.
(166)
166 THE MORGAN HORSE.
So it is with persons interested in different families
descended from the Justin Morgan. They find no
difficulty in agreeing as to his merit, but do not at all
asnree as to the merit of his celebrated sods. Some,
while they manifest a decided preference to one branch
do not deny that the others possess some valuable
qualities. While others, less candid, or more strongly
influenced by interest, deny that any other family save
that to which their own animals belong is deserving of
any notice. We do not pretend that* this is by any
means universal — on the contrary, we are well aware
that there are many candid, thoughtful, and intelligent
breeders, who, although breeding from but one family,
yet freely admit that while they have a preference for
one branch, they cannot deny that either of the others
may possess qualities equally valuable. It is not to be
supposed that these families were exactly alike. We
have in a former chapter endeavored to point out the
points in which the heads of these families differed
from one another, so is there a noticeable difference in
their descendants.
It does not necessarily follow that because there is a
noticeable difference between two animals, there must
be a corresponding difference in value; for we cannot
lay down abstract rules so that the business for which
the horse is wanted being given, we may determine his
value, by any application of avoirdupois measure or
Gunter's rule. Two horses may be so nearly equal in
vnlue that the very best horsemen may honestly differ
in choosing between them ; and yet they may be so
dissimilar that a child can mark the difference.
Besides, there are many points connected with what
DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 167
fanciers call the "finish." of a horse, that are as ex-
clusive matters of taste as the style of a lady's dress —
such as the expression of the eye, the color, the relative
proportion of bone and muscle, the temperament, style
of movement, &c.
Should any one succeed in defining clearly what he
considered superlative excellence in these particulars —
he would only have succeeded in publishing his own
taste in the matter, instead of establishing any general
rule by which others would be guided. For these
reasons, we cannot be too cautious in deciding upon the
relative value of different animals closely resembling
each other in all their most striking and leading charac-
teristics. Therefore, we shall not attempt to decide
which of these families possesses the most valuable
qualities, but shall content ourselves with endeavoring
to show the principal points in which they differ.
There can be said to be but three distinct families of
Morgan horses, namely, the Bulrush, Sherman and
Woodbury. For although the Hawkins horse left some
stock about Derby and Stanstead, and Eevenge some
in the vicinity of Claremont, K. H., yet there are not
now a sufficient number of animals living descended
from these stallions to entitle them to be classed as dis-
tinct families. The Bulrush family are most numerous
iri that portion of the States of Vermont and New
Hampshire lying on Connecticut river, between Wind-
sor and Newbury. They are almost invariably deep
bays or browns, with black legs, manes and tails ; in
this respect they differ from the other families, and also
in their general (we might almost say universal) free-
dom from any marks, such as white feet or white spots
168 THE MORGAN HORSE.
in the face. They have large limbs, wide, flat and
muscular, sometimes inclined to be a little coarse, but
the joints are good, and the whole limb very large in
proportion to the size of the animal. We do not recol-
lect ever seeing a spavin or a ringbone on a Bulrush
horse. They exhibit great development of muscle, and
in point of size are fully equal to the average of Morgans.
They have not so bright, lively and intelligent eyes as
the other families, though the eye is by no means dull
or stupid. They do not carry their heads as high, nor
have they as bold and eager an expression as the Wood-
burys, and they have not as graceful and easy motion
as the Shermans, but for lastingness and power of en-
durance, we believe they have no rivals in this, or any
other country, among Morgan's or any other breed.
There is really some ground for the assertion a jockey
acquaintance once made to us, that " a smart active boy
would wear out a wrought-iron rocking-pony, sooner
than a grown up man could break down the constitution
of a Bulrush horse." In addition to this power of en-
durance, they are generally sharp, keen drivers, and
many of them are fast. They are not excitable, never
fret upon the road ; but are busy, industrious workers.
Some of this family have considerable long hair upon
the legs, and others are entirely free from it ; most of
them have very heavy manes and tails.
The Woodbury family are found most numerous in
the central part of the State of "Vermont. There are
also many along the Connecticut Kiver, between Brat-
tleboro' and Newbury. The founders of this and of
the Bulrush families were bred close together and re-
mained near each other most of their lives ; hence their
DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 169
descendants are found in the same vicinity. The aver-
age size of the Woodburys, we believe to be greater
than either of the other families. They are deeper in
the flanks, with heavier quarters, but not so heavy in
the chest. Some are inclined to be hollow-backed, and
in this respect differ from the Bulrushes. They have
an exceedingly bold, lofty and resolute style of action,
and are overflowing with spirit and nervous energy.
They are generally very tractable, but eager and rest-
less; are full of ambition and cat-like activity, that
makes them favorite horses for parade. Their prevail-
ing color is chestnut or bay, often with a white stripe
or star in the face, and white on one or both of the hind-
feet. Only a few of this family have any long hair on
the legs above the fetlocks, and they do not generally
have as heavy manes and tails as the other families.
They have a shorter gait than the Bulrushes, and are
spirited, pleasant drivers. The limbs, with the excep-
tion that they are freer from long hairs, closely resemble
the limbs of the Shermans, being not so large as the
limbs of the Bulrushes. They have generally a softer
coat than either of the other families.
The "Woodburys have the largest, most prominent
and brightest eyes of any of the Morgans. The fore-
head is also very broad and the muzzle good, but in
some of them the jowls are not so well shaped as the
others.
The Shermans are most numerous in that part of
the State between Newbury and the Canada line, and
the neighboring parts of New Hampshire, about Brow-
nington, Derby, and Stanstead, and in Addison county.
"We think the Shermans are generally smaller than the
8
170 THE MORGAN HOESE.
Woodburys. They are more inclined to be hollow-
backed — but their backs are very short, with wide, full
and exceedingly muscular loins, so that although some
of them may be called hollow-backed, yet we venture
to say that none of them were ever known to have
weak backs. They are deeper in the chest, with a
more prominent breast bone, and lighter quarters than
the Woodburys. Their limbs are superlatively good ;
and although they oftener have more long hair upon
them than the Woodburys, yet underneath this hair
will invariably be found a hard, sinewy limb, free from
windgalls or any other unsoundness.
They have a shorter gait than the Bulrushes, and
do not raise their feet as high in travelling.
They have not so bold, eager, and commanding a
style of action as the Woodburys ; but we think they
have a better temper for driving, and full as much spirit;
and nothing can exceed their courage on the road. They
have a more rapid walk than either of the other fami-
lies, and an exceedingly short, nervous step that creeps
up the longest hills at a rate that would surprise a
person unacquainted Avith them. They are easily
broken to harness, and, though spirited, are very gentle
and tractable, and may be easily taught to stand with-
out fastening wherever left. A little circumstance that
came under our own observation will illustrate this.
Sitting one evening in the hotel at St. Johnsbury, Vt,
and talking with a conductor of the Passumpsic Kail-
road, we said to him that we understood he had a very
smart little mare of the Sherman family. He said he
had, that she was out in the street before a cutter, and as
the night was not very dark, proposed that we should
DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 171
go out and look at her. "We went out upon the steps,
but did not notice any animal about the premises.
However, our friend commenced calling "Nelly!
Nelly ! here Nelly !" and sure enough the mare, who
was standing on the opposite side of the street, and
some six or seven rods from us, pricked up her ears,
and immediately came over to the place where we
were standing. We jumped into the sleigh and took
a turn down the street, the mare proving herself as
spirited as she was gentle.
The Shermans, like the Woodburys, are generally
chestnut or bay, chestnut being the prevailing color,
light chestnut being more common in this than the
other families. A white stripe or star in the face, and
white hind feet, are very common.
We think the Shermans have the best action in
harness, and the Woodbury s the best action under the
saddle, or moving without saddle or harness at the
end of a bridle rein. Persons unaccustomed to use
horses except under the saddle may not understand in
what this difference consists, and we will endeavor to
explain. To appear well upon a parade or fair ground,
under the saddle, or led, the horse must have a good
figure, with abundance of muscle, the head must be
carried high, and he must be overflowing with life and
nervous energy, that keeps him constantly in graceful
and active motion. His movements are comparatively
unrestrained. If he champs his bit, and tosses his
mane with excitement, it will not injure his appearance,
provided he exhibits a pleasant temper, and yields
cheerfully and readily to the authority of his master.
To appear well in harness, the horse must have a
172 THE MORGAN HORSE.
figure equally good, the same museular development,
and exhibit a high spirit, but he must have less eager-
ness, he must have submitted himself perfectly to the
control of his driver. He must carry his head high,
but must keep it constantly and easily in that position ;
he must move directly forward without any prancing
or sidelong motion, and' must move invariably in a
walk or trot ; in short, he must be a perfect and beau-
tiful machine, guided by a touch, and controlled by a
word. If touched with the whip, he mast not bound
with fright or ill temper, nor if possessed of the right
temper will he fail to notice it — on the contrary, he
will not soon forget it, and the driver who ventures to
administer the blow will find ample evidence, in the
increased and steady pull upon the reins, that it did
not pass unnoticed. While thus moving like some
beautiful machine, and submitting wholly to control,
every movement must appear perfectly easy and natu-
ral, and there should be no appearance of restraint,
just as all the attitudes and gestures of the finished
actor appear spontaneous and natural, when in fact
they are all studied and artificial.
Black Hawk and Green Mountain (in the list of
pedigrees he is called Green Mountain second, to dis-
tinguish him from an older horse of the same name)
will illustrate our meaning : they are both fine speci-
mens of the race, and are both widely and favorably
known. Aside from his speed, the reputation of Black
Hawk as an elegant driving horse is too thoroughly
established to be in any way increased or diminished,
by what we might say of him, and we refer to him
only to illustrate our meaning. He comes nearer to
DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 173
our beau ideal of a perfect driving horse than any
other animal we have ever seen. Possessed of abun-
dance of spirit and life, there is also manifest a quiet-
ness and evenness of temper that makes him under all
circumstances perfectly controllable ; his step is nervous
and elastic, but no unnecessary steps are taken. His
style of movement is bold and fearless, while every
motion is instinct with grace. But he has not that ex-
uberant, overflowing, and irrepressible spirit of action
that prevents him from being a moment at rest. Green
Mountain is rarely if ever exhibited in harness, and
properly enough, for although we have no doubt he is
a fine driving horse, yet it is not in that capacity he
appears to the best advantage. While under the sad-
dle, or led by a bridle rein, in style of movement — in
muscular development — in spirit and action — he need
not fear comparison with any horse living. There is
a boldness in his style, a fire in his eye, and an unceas-
ing play to every muscle, that once seen by a person
having any taste for a horse will never be forgotten.
In boldness and gracefulness of style he resembles
Grey Eagle of Kentucky, but has more fire in his eye,
and is more unceasing in his action.
In drawing a comparison between the different fam-
ilies, and in endeavoring to point out those qualities
which as families they possess in different degrees, it
will be readily seen that we can lay down no general
rules of this kind that will not have many exceptions ;
for in many respects these distinctions are so slight
that they are often unnoticed, and the fact that the
different families are now being crossed with each
174 THE MORGAN HORSE.
other, is gradually effacing these distinctions. This
crossing of the different families, if properly conducted,
will, we believe, be of great benefit, and tend much to
the improvement of the race, and should be fostered
and encouraged by our agricultural societies. There
has in some instances been manifested a disposition
among persons owning stock of one of these families,
to endeavor to establish the reputation of their own
animals by denying the good qualities of their neigh-
bors. This is a weakness that is not confined to Ver-
mont, but we suppose must be found everywhere so
long as human nature is frail : still, however common it
may be, it is none the less a weakness. We say "weak-
ness," for, although slandering a neighbor's stock is a
gross wrong, yet is it pre-eminently a weakness, and no
really shrewd and intelligent man will ever be guilty
of it, for it is always sure to re-act with twofold force
upon him who resorts to it.
The breeder whose stock has so little merit of its
own that it must be bolstered up by detracting some-
thing from his neighbors, we earnestly exhort to sell
out at once, and purchase some that can rely solely
upon its own merits for distinction ; for, if it is wanting
in merit, no art can bring it into repute, and keep it long
in favor ; and, if it is superior, be satisfied with exhibit-
ing it to the public, and rest assured that there will
not be wanting men with sagacity enough to see and
appreciate it.
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CHAPTER IX.
PRESENT CONDITION OF THIS STOCK IN VERMONT.
To understand well the present condition of this
breed of horses, it will be necessary to glance at the
original horse and his immediate descendants, and
contrast them with stallions of repute of that blood
of the present day. For although such a comparison
in no way assists us to determine the height, weight,
or any other qualities of the breed as they now exist,
yet it is indispensably necessary to enable us to ascer-
tain whether any change has taken place in their gen-
eral character, and if so, what that change is.
From a careful consideration of all the most reliable
accounts of the Justin Morgan, he was about fourteen
hands high, and his weight, in good condition, not far
from nine hundred and fifty pounds.
His weight is only obtained by estimate, as there is
no account of his having been weighed; and, as weigh-
ing live animals was by no means common at that day,
it is highly probable that it was never accurately ascer-
tained. His height we undoubtedly have more nearly
exact, for horsemen who knew him are much better
agreed as to that, and they would judge much more
accurately of his height from the fact that height was
the usual measure of size at that time.
In a previous chapter we have described the most
celebrated animals sired by him, and those from which
(175)
176 THE MORGAN HORSE.
our present stock is entirely derived. From a com-
parison of the height and weight of these animals,
namely, the Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury, with
the sire, we shall see that they were both taller and
heavier.
Between these three horses there was a very strik-
ing resemblance in all their leading characteristics, as
we have already seen ; and each exhibited in a high
degree those qualities that have given such celebrity
to their sire. All had the compact form, the wide bony
legs, great nervous energy, vigorous health and iron
constitution, that enabled them to endure for years
the severest labor upon scanty feed, and with little
care, not only without breaking down, but without
receiving the slightest injury. At the age of twenty
we see them exhibiting constitutions as unimpaired,
limbs as free from any sort of blemish, and almost as
supple and as sinewy as when first broken to harness,
and at even a later date showing upon all occasions
the same high courage and invincible spirit that was
so marked a characteristic of the Justin Morgan, never
failing to attract and fasten the attention of the most
disinterested observer. In these great qualities little
room was left for improvement, and perhaps the most
that can be expected is to maintain their reputation in
these respects. In these traits of spirit and temper, as
well as in their size and general form, we believe they
approach much nearer the Arabian or the English
thorough-bred of a century since, than does the race-
horse of the present day. This we think will appear
evident from a comparison of the best specimens of
the Morgans with the likenesses of the most celebrated
HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 177
thorough-breds of the last century, and with the de-
scriptions given by all travellers of the Arabian, as he
exists in his native deserts, and also with the portraits
of the most fashionable thorongh-breds of the present
day in this country.
To show his resemblance to the En°-lish thorough-
bred of a hundred years ago, we have placed at the
head of this chapter a portrait of the celebrated horse
Gimcrack, copied from an engraving of him published
in the second volume of the "American Turf Eegister
and Sporting Magazine." We have selected this horse,
not because the Morgan horse more nearly resembles
him than others of his time, but because he was one of
the most noted horses of that day in England, and
both he and his descendants have been justly celebrated
for their speed and endurance.
Accompanying the portrait of Gimcrack, in the
"American Turf Eegister," is a short Memoir of him,
from which we extract the following :
"Gimcrack, the sire of Medley, was one of the most
remarkable horses of his day in England. He was
a gray, and called the ' little gray horse Gimcrack,'
foaled in 1760 ; got by Cripple, a son of the Godolphin
Arabian ; dam, Miss Elliott, by Griswood's Partner ;
grand dam, Celia, by Partner ; Bloody Buttocks, Grey-
hound, Blockesby, Betty. Gimcrack was one of the
severest running and hardest bottomed horses that ever
ran in England; although small, yet his ability to
carry weight was very great, for he frequently gave
the odds as high as twenty-eight pounds, and he con-
tinued on the turf until eleven years of age, thereby
showing his uncommon hardiness of constitution and
178 THE MORGAN HORSE.
firmness of limbs. * * * * * Gimcrack had
acquired such fame and celebrity that his last proprie-
tor left him a length of time at Tattersall's for the
inspection of the public."
A careful comparison of this portrait with the cuts
in this volume, and vv r ith those of the fashionable
thorough- breds of the present day, will show that the
Morgans bear the closest resemblance to the Arabian
or thorough-bred of a hundred years since.
Little or no change seems to have taken place in color
in the progress of the race, bays and chestnuts being
the prevailing color of the Morgans, as it is of the race-
horse. It will be remembered that of the three stallions
— the Woodbury, Bulrush, and Sherman — two were
chestnut and the other bay, and these are now the only
colors often met with. In speaking of the breed as
they now exist, it will be understood by the intelligent
reader that no notice will be taken of animals having
only a slight tinge of Morgan blood, but only of those
bred from Morgan stallions of repute where they are
known. The only important exception we have known
to this general rule of color is in the case of Black
Hawk, who is jet black, and takes his color from the
dam.
Yery many of his colts take their color from him,
but some of them do not ; and when not black they are
almost invariably bays or chestnuts. It is a curious
fact that most of his colts, which take their general
color from him, have the white stripe in the face, and
the white hind feet that belonged to their grand sire,
the Sherman..
It is probable that the short fare and hard service to
HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 179
which the original Morgans were put, somewhat checked
their growth, so that they had less size than they would
have had under better fare and less severe labor. It is
certain that the true Morgans of the present day are
decidedly larger than the original stock. First let us
compare some of the most noted of the grandsons of
the Justin Morgan with him, and we shall see that they
are, or were, larger. Black Hawk, height 14 hands,
weight 1000 pounds ; Royal Morgan or Crane horse,
height 13 £ hands, weight 1020 pounds; Gilford, height
14| hands, weight 1000 pounds ; Barker horse, height
15 hands, weight 1075 pounds; Morgan Emperor,
height 15 hands, weight 1025 pounds; Morgan Trotter,
height 14| hands, weight 1050 pounds.
These are taken equally from the Bulrush, Sher-
man, and Woodbury branches, and were all of them
noted stallions. By an examination of any consider-
able number of stallions of this breed as now kept,
any good judge will be satisfied that the race has de-
cidedly increased in size. To show that the above
opinion, formed at first by the eye after examining a
great number of these horses, is correct, we have
resorted to the United States Agricultural Society's
published report of their exhibition at Boston, in Octo-
ber, 1855. The number of stallions exhibited was one
hundred and thirty ; and of these, seventy were of
Morgan blood. The weight of twenty -five of these
is given, but three of them are four years old and
under. Excepting these, because not fully grown, the
average weight of the remaining twenty-two is 1040
pounds. This we think may be considered a very fair
180 THE MORGAN HORSE.
statement of the average weight of these horses, as
among them were horses of every size that can be
found of this breed in our State. It is certain that
the size has been increased.
As to their compactness, strength of constitution,
and power of endurance, we can see no reason for
believing that there has been any deterioration. That
they have retained their compactness, is so evident and
so well known, as to admit of no question ; and the
eagerness with which they are purchased by the stage,
omnibus, hack, and livery stable owners throughout
the country, seems to us the highest evidence that the
Morgan's constitution is yet sound, and his powers of
endurance still equal to the most laborious service.
There is no breed of horses among which there cannot
be found unsound individuals ; and too severe work
and brutal treatment will sometimes bring founder,
ringbone or spavin, broken wind, debility and disease,
upon the finest limbs and the hardiest constitution;
but we believe no breed of horses can be pointed to in
this country more generally free from every descrip-
tion of unsoundness than the Morgan.
Little or no change seems to have taken place in the
head and neck. The same light, lean head, small,
pointed, and sensitive ears ; the same brilliant, promi-
nent, restless eye, seems as strongly developed now as
in the first of the race ; while the neck, rather short, is
carried in the same proud and lofty manner that at-
tracted the attention of all who ever saw the Justin
Morgan. The general structure of the body is un-
changed. In his short, bony legs, compact body, deep,
HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 181
roomy chest, oblique shoulders, short back, and mus-
cular quarters, he still exhibits the marked features of
his illustrious ancestors.
The present Morgans have not so much of the long
hair of the Justin Morgan on their legs. This is an
improvement, as the long hair on the legs is unsightly,
inconvenient, and in no sense useful.
His gait or natural pace seems to have undergone
little change. It may be that his stride is a trifle
longer, and it is our belief that it is ; but of this it is
difficult to judge correctly, and it is certainly very
doubtful.
The greatest change in the going of the Morgans
consists in this, that the present animals of the breed
are faster trotters than their ancestors. In the time of
the Justin Morgan, trotting was not much practiced.
Fast trotting dates from the introduction of the light
buggy. Since that time the horses in Vermont have
been trained to that gait to the exclusion of almost all
other paces. The art of training the horse to this pace,
and developing his utmost powers in it, was not then
understood. But we do not think the most consum-
mate skill in training of the Justin Morgan would
have enabled him to compete successfully with many
of his descendants. This increased speed in the trot
we think is mainly attributable to their constant train-
ing to this pace through several generations.
That the training and using animals for a particu-
lar service begets in them a capacity for that service,
and enables them to excel therein, is a truth that we
think is generally asserted by the best writers, and ad-
mitted by the most intelligent breeders. A remarka-
182 THE MORGAN HOESE.
ble illustration of it may be seen in the pointer, which
was originally bred from the hound ; yet how widely
different have their very instincts become by being
long used and trained to entirely different kinds of
hunting. Take the young hound for the first time
alone into the field, and watch his unchecked, and un-
guided movements ; he ranges about, trotting heedlessly
over the partridge, the woodcock, or the prairie chicken ;
even the whirr of the rising quail fails to attract his
attention ; but let him come upon the fresh track of a
fox, and instantly his deep startling bay makes every
echo ring, and wild with, excitement he dashes off in
eager pursuit of an animal he has never seen.
Not so the high bred young pointer. He crosses
the path of the fox indifferent to the steaming scent,
but let a breath of air bring to him the odor of the
unseen partridge, and he is instantly as motionless as
if cut from marble ; true, he has not yet learned the
full extent of his duty, but how strikingly does this
action exhibit the effect of training and using for a
particular service for many generations. If this were
not a general law, how should we ever succeed in
domesticating animals ? the colt foaled to-day would
be as wild and untractable as his untamed ancestors
a thousand years ago.
It can hardly be questioned that a general improve-
ment has been steadily going on in the character of
our horses. This we believe to be in a great measure
due to the peculiar fitness of our soil and climate for
this branch of agriculture, but our breeders have of
late years been incited to endeavor to produce the best
animals by the profit they offered. In addition to the
HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 183
stimulus given to breeders to produce the best stock
by the constantly increasing demand for it, there has
arisen within the last few years a new influence, to aid
in improving the character of our horses. We allude
to the agricultural societies that have been formed in
almost every county throughout the country. At the
exhibitions of these societies, the finest animals are
brought together, and farmers and breeders are thus
enabled to compare the different animals, not only with
one another, but also with that ideal standard of excel-
lence that each breeder has, or ought to have set up, of
the kind of animal he is endeavoring to produce.
At these fairs the young and inexperienced breeder
meets many who have devoted years of close attention
to the business in which he is just engaging ; and by
conferring with them, he may be able to shun their
errors and take advantage of their success.
From able speakers he hears many important truths
that will prove of inestimable advantage to him, pro-
vided he cherishes them as he ought. The old adage
that "competition is the life of trade," is as applicable
to farming as to any other kind of business ; and the
healthy competition that these fairs or exhibitions
excite among breeders is of great advantage to them,
by stimulating them to make exertions to produce the
best animals, and instructing them in the great prin-
ciples by which they must be guided, if they would
deserve success.
The beneficial influence of these exhibitions can
hardly be over-estimated ; and, as they have hitherto
been, so will they continue to be, powerful engines of
good, so long as they are wisely and skilfully conducted.
184 THE MORGAN HORSE.
These are some of the principal influences that are
constantly stimulating Vermont breeders to keep up
and improve the well-earned reputation of her horses.
The materials are now abundant; and if by association
or otherwise they can be retained in the State, and
properly bred, there can be little question that Vermont
can for years to come furnish her sister States and the
great markets, with the best business horse raised in
any country in the world.
CHAPTEE X.
PERFORMANCES OF MORGAN HORSES — THE DEMAND FOR THEM AND
THEIR PRESENT YALUE AS INDICATED- BY SALES.
The question has been sometimes asked, " What
have Morgan horses ever done to entitle them to dis-
tinction?" Coming as it almost invariably does from
persons interested in some other breed, the question
implies a disbelief in the ability of Morgan horses to
perform any feats of speed or endurance worthy of
notice ; and, as such individuals doubtless deem it for
their interest to continue in their present faith, we shall
make no effort to convince them of their error, being
satisfied that we should have little chance of success,
opposing as we should both their interests and their
prejudices.
But there are others who make the inquiry from a
simple desire for information, in relation to a breed of
horses with which they are unacquainted, and we trust
that to such the facts we shall state in this chapter will
prove a satisfactory answer.
Let us first consider what are the qualities for which
it is claimed they are distinguished, as it is manifest
the performance should be of such a nature as will call
into exercise these qualities.
The Morgan claims to be chiefly valuable as a driv-
ing-horse with moderate weight, or in other words, as
a business horse. In a previous chapter, we have stated
(185)
186 THE MORGAN HORSE.
the principal qualities which the business horse should
possess. The degree in which a horse possesses these
qualities cannot always be tested; as, for instance, we
may test his speed or his endurance, but we judge of
his form, his style of movement, his spirit, or his tem-
per. Speed and endurance are indispensable ; a suit-
able form, a lively spirit, and a tractable temper, are
qualities scarcely less important. Possessed of the
former, he has the power to perform great feats upon
the road ; possessed also of the latter, that power be-
comes available, and can be applied to some useful
purpose. The speed and endurance of the horse can,
of course, be tested by driving him on the road, or the
race-course; the former can be determined by driv-
ing a short distance ; the latter, by driving a long time.
We know it is very commonly said, that a horse has
a great deal of bottom or endurance which can keep
up a high rate of speed for from five to ten minutes ;
but this is not the kind of endurance we are speaking
of. The endurance wanted in the driving-horse must
be such as will enable him to last throughout the day,
and from day to day, or from week to week. Many
horses drive well and with much spirit for a short time,
but are unable to endure a single day's drive; and
many that can perform a very creditable clay's journey
are unable to last through a week of hard work. It is
to such horses that the old stable-saying refers, "some
horses will go so far in a day that they can't get ba.ck
in a week." Youatt clearly asserts this fact: he says,
" Many horses with narrow chests, and a great deal of
daylight under them, have plenty of spirit and Avilling-
ness for work. They show themselves well off, and
STYLE OF TRAVELLING. 187
exhibit the address and gratify the vanity of their
riders on the parade or in the park, bnt they have not
the appetite nor the endnrance that will carry thern
through three successive hard days' work."
The Morgan horse may not exhibit the greatest
speed for a short distance ; indeed, we do not think his
form is such as is best suited to such extraordinary
speed ; but he has such an amount of speed as " entitles
him to the appellation of a fast traveller." "We do not
think that great speed and great endurance are usually
found combined in the same animal ; to support this
opinion, we again refer to Youatt, who says: "Some
of our saddle horses and cobs have barrels round
enough, and we value them on account of it, for they
are always in condition, and they rarely tire. But
when we look at them more carefully, there is just that
departure from the circular form — of which mention
has just been made — that happy medium between the
circle and the ellipse, which retains the capacity of the
one and the expansibility of the other. Such a horse
is invaluable for common purposes, but he is seldom a
horse of speed. If he is permitted to go his own pace,
and that not a slow one, he will work on forever ; but
if too much hurried he is soon distressed." And again
he says: "The question then is, what service is re-
quired from the horse ? If he has to carry a heavy
weight, and has much work to do, he should be ribbed
home — the last rib and the hip-bone should not be
far from each other. There is more capacity of chest
and of belly — there is less distance between the points
of support — and greater strength and endurance. A
188 THE MORGAN HORSE.
hackney (and we would almost say a hunter) can
scarcely be too well ribbed home.
" If speed, however, is required, there must be room
for the full action of the hinder limbs; and this can
only exist where there is sufficient space between the
last rib and the hip-bone. The owner of the horse
must make up his mind as to what he wants from him,
and be satisfied if he obtains that ; for let him be as-
sured, that he cannot have everything, for this would
require those differences of conformation that cannot
possibly exist in the same animal."
To the practical horseman, the simple fact that an
animal has trotted a mile in 2m. 80s,, or two miles in
5m. 10s., will afford little evidence of its power of en-
durance in the livery stable, before a hack, or a Broad-
way omnibus. Occasionally a long race is trotted that
serves to test the endurance of the horse, but these are
of so rare occurrence that almost the only recorded
testimony of the lastingness of the Morgan horse is
found in general statements of the fact, rather than in
recorded instances of its exhibition by individuals of
the breed. The quotations we have already made in
a previous chapter, from writers of unquestioned au-
thority, will, we think, fully establish their claim to
more than ordinary powers of endurance.
We have said that we do not think the form of the
Morgan horse is such as is best adapted for the greatest
speed at short distances ; still, among any breed of horses
sufficiently fast to be called rapid travellers, individu-
als will occasionally be found that will be fast for
short distances, and such is the case with the Morgans.
FAST TIME. 189
That such is the fact, we think the well-authenticated
performances we shall mention will abundantly es-
tablish.
Before speaking of these performances, a few remarks
seem necessary, in order that the relative importance
of these performances may be understood.
Quite a diversity of opinion exists among sporting
men as to what rate of speed for a mile entitles a horse
to be ranked as a sporting horse ; this must necessarily
be the case, since no abstract rule can be laid down.
It seems to us that a horse must be admitted to be a
fast, or sporting horse, that can make his mile in less
time than a majority of those he will be obliged to
contend with on the race-course. To enable us to form
some idea of the ordinary or average speed of the trot-
ting horses of the country, we have made a summary
of all the time, at mile heats, reported in the "New
York Spirit of the Times," for the year 1852 ; and the
average time made by winning horses at mile heats
during that year was 2m. 50s. and a small fractioo.
Our only reason for selecting that year was, that the
volume of the "Spirit of the Times" published that
year was the only complete one which we had at hand.
From this it is plain that a horse which could trot a
mile within 2m. 50s. would have been able to defeat a
large majority of the trotting horses of the country.
We are aware that many persons affect to believe
that a trotter is no sporting horse if he cannot " go low
down in the thirties," but it is plain this is a mistake.
The horse which can trot a mile in 2m. 40s. in good
style, we feel confident will prove too fast for three-
quarters of the trotting horses of the country.
190 THE MORGAN HORSE.
One of the most remarkable trotting horses ever
known, and without any question the fastest horse of
her time at long distances, was "Fanny Jenks," the
property of Gen. A. T. Dunham, of Troy, 1ST. Y. We
are unable to give her pedigree, but she w-as raised
in Vermont, and was always called a Morgan ; and
her form and style of movement exhibited in a high
degree the characteristics of the breed. She was four-
teen and three-quarters hands high, and in medium
condition weighed nine hundred and thirty -five pounds.
From Vermont, she was taken to Watertown, Jefferson
county, N. Y., and became the property of Gen. Pratt.
In the year 1839 or 1840, the General took her to
Troy and sold her to Willard Jenks, of West Troy,
and of him she was purchased by Gen. A. T. Dunham.
Her first important performance was at Centreville,
L. L, in October, 1844, when she trotted ten miles
before a sulky, carrying 145 lbs., in 29m. and 59s.,
beating Neptune and Misfortune. On the 5th of May,
1845, in a match against time for $500, to trot one
hundred miles in ten hours, over the Bull's Head
Course, near Albany, N. Y., she performed the entire
distance in 9 hours. 42 minutes and 57 seconds. Ex-
clusive of the time in stopping for refreshment (18m.
27s.), she performed the distance in 9h. 24m. 30s.
Of this performance an article in the " Spirit of the
Times," headed "Fanny Jenks against the World,"
says: "Immediately on the completion of the match,
and without stopping, she was trotted once round the
course, and accomplished her 101st mile in 4m. 23s.
# # -* # # # #
" The mare showed no symptoms of distress at any
PERFORMANCES. 191
period of the performance, and her indomitable game
was full j evinced by her speed in part of her last time,
and the ravenous manner in which she attacked hei
hay as soon as led to the stable.
"On the following day she was driven twelve miles
(to Albany and Troy), exhibiting no soreness, stiffness,
nor any other evidence that she had performed her
wonderful feat so recently."
In 1842, Black Hawk won a match of $1,000 by
trotting five miles over the Cambridge Park Course in
sixteen minutes. In 1843, October 3d, he won a race
of two mile heats, best two in three, beating Jim and
Dying Sergeant with ease in 5m. 43s. — 5m. 48s. — 5m.
47s. Single miles he made at different times in 2m.
42 seconds.
At Boston, Nov. 3d, 1853, Black Hawk Maid beat
Blue Morgan, two mile heats, best two in three. Time,
5m. 23s. — 5m. 22s. Black Hawk Maid was sired by
Black Hawk.
The 20th of September, 1847, over the Union Course,
L. L, Lady Sutton beat Sal and Grey Eagle, two mile
heats, best two in three, in harness. Time, 5m. 17s. —
5m. 21s., and again Sept. 27th, of same year, she beat
the same horses same distance. Time, 5m. 22s. — 5m.
28 seconds.
The 19th of May, 1848, a trot came off over the
Union Course, L. I., that created a good deal of excite-
ment, and is well remembered by sportsmen on account
of the celebrity of the horses, and the severity of the
contest. The race was between Lady Sutton, Lady
Suffolk, and Lady Moscow, mile heats in harness, and
was won by Lady Sutton after a long and close struggle.
192 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Time, 2m. 33s.— 2m. 33s.— 2m. 35s.— 2m. 37s.— 2m.
38s.— 2m. 36s.
Lady Sutton was raised in Barre, Yermont. She
was sired by Morgan Eagle, a grandson of the Justin
Morgan. The dam of Lady Sutton was called a Mor-
gan mare, but we do not know her pedigree. Lad}?"
S. is not over fourteen hands high, has a fine figure,
and a nervous, spirited style of action, with plenty of
speed and endurance. She is too nervous and high-
tempered to make a sure and safe trotting horse, and
endure quietly and patiently all the accidents and mis-
haps of the race-course.
On the 26th of June, 1843, a fast and well-contested
race came off over the Beacon Course, New Jersey,
between Beppo and Independence, mile heats, best three
in five, and was won by Beppo. Time, 2m. 32^-s. —
2m. 31^s. — 2m. 33s. — 2m. 38s. — 2m. 35s. Beppo was
sired by Giiford.
On the 29th of September, 1843, a race came off
over the Cambridge Park Course between Pizarro,
Forest Maid, and Lady Swan, mile heats, best three in
five, and was won by Pizarro in three straight heats.
Time, 2m. 35s. — 2m. 39^s. — 2m. 37^-s. Pizarro was
sired by Morgan Csesar.
On the 2d of May, 1853, a race took place on the
Hunting Park Course, Philadelphia, between Yermont
Boy and Soto, three mile heats, to wagons, best two in
three, won by Yermont Boy. Time 8m. 32s. — 8m. 47s.
On the 10th of May, 1853, a match took place on
Long Island between Ethan Allen, three years and
ten months old, and Eose of Washington, several
months older for one thousand dollars a side, mile
m ^
'J
<
■J
PERFORMANCES. 193
heats, best three in five. This match attracted much
attention. Many who knew the mare thought she was
sure to win, as she was deemed the fastest horse of her
age in the country ; but the event proved they were
mistaken, as the horse beat her in three straight heats.
Time, 2m. 42s.— 2m. 39s.— 2m. 36s.
We believe this is the fastest time on record by a
horse of his age. "We think his only other public trot
was at Boston, Oct. 27th, 1855, at the Fair of the United
States Agricultural Society, where he received the first
premium for speed, beating Columbus, Sherman Black
Hawk, and Stockbridge Chief. Time, 2m. 34 |s. — 2m.
87s. Ethan Allen was sired by Black Hawk, and is
doubtless the fastest trotting stallion that has ever
appeared on the turf.
November 24th, 1853, Blue Morgan won a race
over the Cambridge Park Course, beating Black Hawk
Maid, mile heats in harness, best two in three. Time
2m. 38|s.— 2m. 33is.
August 20th, 1852, Black Ealph won a race at Sara-
toga, beating Murdoch, mile heats under the saddle, best
three in five, winning the 1st, 3d and 5th heats. Time
2m. 32s.— 2m. 30s.— 2m. 31s.— 2m. 38s.— 2m. 34s.
October 6th, 1852, in a race between Murdoch and
Black Ralph, two mile heats under the saddle, Ealph
won the first heat in 5m, 13|s., though beaten by
Murdoch in the race. Black Balph was sired by
Black Hawk.
October 14th, 1854, Know-Nothing won a race
over the Cambridge Park Course, beating Black Hawk
Maid, two mile heats in harness. Time 5m. 26s. Mare
drawn after the first heat.
9
194 THE MORGAN HORSE.
In a match between Know-Nothing and Chicago
Jack over the Cambridge Park Conrse, May 11th,
1855, mile heats under the saddle, best three in five,
Know-Nothing won the first heat 2m. 274s., but was
beaten in the race by Chicago Jack, who made the
third heat in 2m. 27|s. Know -Nothing was sired by
Black Hawk, and was only five years old ; his dam
is said to have been sired by a grandson of Lee Boo.
Chicago Jack was raised in Illinois, and we think was
sired by Morgan Emperor, formerly owned by L. But-
ler, of Chicago, Illinois.
The 29th of July, 1856, a race took place over the
Fashion Course, Long Island, being a match between
Know-Nothing and Flora Temple, mile heats, best
three in &ve, Know-Nothing under the saddle — Flora
Temple in harness. Though matched against the
fastest trotting horse in harness ever known, the friends
of Know-Nothing felt such confidence in his powers
that they backed him freely, offering odds that were
quickly taken. The race was won by Know-Nothing,
in three straight heats. Time 2m. 29s. — 2m. 29s. —
2m. 30s.
September 25th, 1855, Belle of Saratoga w r on a match
of $500, mile heats, best three in five, over the Centre-
ville Covirse, beating Murdoch in three straight heats.
Time, 2m. 29 is.— 2m. 34is.— 2m. 38s. Belle of Sara-
toga was sired by Black Hawk.
A race on the ice near Plattsburg, February 27th,
1852, mile heats in harness, best three in five, was
won by Sherman Black Hawk, in three straight heats,
beating Flying Morgan and a gray gelding from Can-
ton, N. Y. Time 2m. 47s.— 2m. 44s.~ 2m. 42s.
PEEFOEMANCES. 195
In March, 1850, a race on the ice, mile heats, best
two in three, was won by Flying Morgan, in two
straight heats, beating Tramp. Time 2m. 51s. — 2m.
43s. Flying Morgan was sired by the Hackett Horse.
In a race over Cambridge Park Course, October 2d,
1851, mile heats, best three in five, between Flying
Morgan and Cleopatra, the former was victorious in
three straight heats. Time 2m. 51s. — 2m. 51 Js. — 2m.
57s. In this race Flying Morgan was called Burling-
ton,
There are many others well known as Morgan
trotters of celebrity, which we have not space to notice,
such as Henry Clay, sired by GifTord ; Grey Hawk, of
Chicago, sired by Morgan Tally Oh ; Whalebone, sired
by Whalebone or the Clarke Horse ; Lady Sherman,
sired by Black Hawk, &c, &c. ; there are also others
about whose pedigree there is some dispute, but which
are claimed as of Morgan descent, such as Mac, Lady
Fulton, &c. Mac was raised in Maine, and his dam
was probably a descendant of Messenger, but there is
little doubt that he was sired by Morgan Caesar, one
of the best grandsons of the Justin Morgan.
We think the above performances fully establish the
truth of our proposition, that although it is not claimed
their form and gait is such as is best adapted to make
the quickest time for a mile, yet the Morgans being as
a class fast travellers, some individuals exhibit great
speed.
There is no doubt that if our farmers and breeders
would take pains to develop the utmost power of their
horses in the trot, very many would exhibit a good deal
of speed. But no such effort is generally made ; our
196 THE MORGAN HORSE.
people are not a sporting people. There is not a race
course, properly speaking, in the State. True, some of
the Agricultural Societies have graded temporary half-
mile tracks, not only to give opportunity to test the
speed of horses, but to exhibit their paces, training,
and style of movement. They are not simply race-
courses, and we hope that while the property of these
societies they may never become such.
We have no objections to trotting matches, and are
willing that those who choose should engage in them.
They certainly tend to develop one of the valuable
qualities of the horse, and we cannot object if the
patrons of the turf offer premiums for excellence in
that one quality which is almost the only one by them
esteemed. But it seems to us eminently improper for
Agricultural Societies to offer such premiums for a
single good trait in an animal, without considering the
many others equally important. A good form, temper,
action, and style of movement, suitable size, speed,
and endurance, are each valuable qualities in the busi-
ness horse ; but superlative excellence in any one of
them alone, ought not to entitle a horse to rank above
rivals superior to him in all other respects. Should
any Agricultural Society deem it advisable for farmers
to aim to produce horses whose excellence should con-
sist solely in their speed, they might consistently offer
such premiums.
• It is a trite saying that an article " is worth what it
will bring in market."
Estimating the value of Morgan horses by this
standard, we shall find that they are unequalled by
any horses in this country. "We- have already en-
HIGH PRICES OF. 197
deavored to show that they possessed great merit, but
great merit is not always properly appreciated; hence
the inquiry, " will they command such prices as will
remunerate the breeder ?"
That they do command not only remunerating, but
very high prices, can be abundantly shown ; indeed,
those least friendly to the Morgans admit that they are
in great demand, and that they sell for high prices.
Instances might be given in which individuals of the
breed have been disposed of at very great prices, and
indeed they might be multiplied to almost any extent,
but should not and would not establish the general
rule, for there is no breed of horses of any note, indi-
viduals of which are not sometimes sold for high prices.
In Mr. Burnet's " remarks on breeding horses," to
which we have before referred, although he does not
admire the Morgans, yet he admits that "they sell
readily at high prices."
The editor of the " Country Gentleman," in an
article giving an account of the National Exhibition
of horses at Springfield, in 1853, says, in reference to
the Morgan horses of Vermont, " It was seen by the
originator of the movement, and by those who sympa-
thized with him, that New England and the country
generally were indebted to a single State for the most
of their desirable and valuable horses.
" It was seen that single breeding animals had been
the source of almost millions of revenue to the breed-
ers of their respective localities, and that in a majority
of the States of the Union it was almost impossible to
find a horse bred at home that was of high value."
The " Maine Farmer," in an article before quoted,
198 THE MOKGAN HORSE.
says, "For a seller of horses, it is only necessary for
him to establish the fact that his horses are of the Mor-
gan blood, and he meets with a ready sale at good
prices, and the purchasers are more than satisfied."
Mr. H. S. Randall, in his account of the breeds of
horses in the United States, says, " That they have
sold for high prices, not only for the saddle and buggy,
but as stallions to extend the breed, is certain. They
have many warm admirers, and find ready purchasers."
Almost any number of similar extracts might be
added, but the foregoing seem sufficient, especially as
we have never seen it denied that they sell readily at
prices amply remunerating. It is evident that this
must be the case, when we consider that they are not
bred in any numbers save in a small district of coun-
try, and that the demand for them comes from every
State in the Union ; many being yearly taken to all
parts of New England, and to the West and South.
The prices at which they have been sold have been
constantly increasing since the death of the Justin
Morgan. One of the colts of the Justin Morgan
(Woodbury) was sold when about ten years old to Mr.
William Walker, of Hartland, Yt. ; for five hundred
dollars, which was at that time considered a most ex-
travagant price ; but if the same horse was now living,
he would command more than ten times that sum.
Ordinary stallions could be purchased at that time for
from one to two hundred dollars.
The more widely and thoroughly they are known,
the greater has been the demand for them. Fifteen
years ago the best stallions could be procured for from
five to fifteen hundred dollars, the best geldings for
HIGH PRICES OF. 199
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars,
and the best mares at from one to two hundred. Now
the best stallions cannot be procured for less than from
one to three thousand dollars ; the best geldings sell
readily at from two to four hundred dollars, and the
best mares at from three to six hundred. Horses pos-
sessing extra value on account of their speed, are not
included in the foregoing statement, as for such very
much larger prices are often paid. We know that
some will say our prices are too low, and point us to
very many sales at much higher prices, of animals
having no reputation for great speed, but we think
that although there may be many such instances, they
are the exceptions to the general rule, rather than the
rule itself. Again we may be told that our minimum
prices are too high, and instances adduced of animals
of good blood and form that have been purchased for
less. We know that under favorable circumstances
such animals may occasionally be purchased by per-
sons well acquainted throughout the State, and con-
stantly on the watch for favorable opportunities, at
prices somewhat less than those we have named.
Yet, as a general thing, when the price is much below
what we have stated, we should be suspicious that the
blood or form was not of the first quality,
CHAPTEK XL
HINTS AS TO THE BEST METHODS FOR IMPROVING AND PERPETU-
ATING THE BREED.
The proposition- that "like will beget like" is gene-
rally received as an axiom "by intelligent breeders of
domestic animals. Although as a general proposition
this is doubtless true, yet we should make a great mis-
take to expect that a male and female unlike each
other would produce offspring like either. Before the
proposition will hold true, the sire and the dam must
be like each other. Even this is not sufficient ; the
progenitors of each must have been alike for some
generations.
The most careless breeder can hardly fail to observe
qualities appearing in his stock, that belonged neither
to their sire nor dam, but which belonged to some of
their ancestors farther back ; such, for instance, as a
vicious temper, .some striking peculiarity of form or
color, or some peculiar mark, such as a white face,
white feet, &c. The chances that "the good, and the
danger that the bad qualities of an ancestor, will be
inherited by any animal, will depend upon the number
of degrees he is removed from that ancestor, unless his
ancestors of the opposite sex have exhibited the same
qualities, and have exhibited them in each generation.
(.200)
IMPBOVING THE BKEED. 201
When the ancestors upon both sides for some gene-
rations have been alike in all their important features,
then "like will beget like." Not that the animals
bred will be alike even then ; they will only be alike in
the prominent characteristics of the race. There will
still be every degree of excellence. Some will be less
perfect in form than others, arid some with forms
nearly faultless, will yet lack some essential requisite
to give them the highest value. This is strikingly
exemplified in the breeding of the race-horse. Immense
fortunes have been expended, and time and talents
freely given for the improvement of those qualities
that render him valuable for the service to which he
is put, yet comparatively very few of them prove ex-
cellent in the very points to which the attention of the
breeder was particularly directed. Now, if we were to
breed from the poorest instead of the best specimens
of the race-horse, it is evident that he would very
rapidly deteriorate in all those qualities that now ren-
der him valuable, and the extraordinary speed he has
attained would soon be lost. The manner in which
they have attained their unrivalled speed is by breed-
ing those stallions exhibiting in the highest perfection
the qualities sought, to mares possessing in a high
degree the same characteristics.
This points out not only the best method for per-
petuating the qualities of a breed of animals whose
characteristics have become fixed, but it also points
out the proper method of improving them. The Mor-
gan horse has not yet fully attained to this point ; that
is, his characteristics have not yet been fully and firmly
established. If the breed is perpetuated, it is evi-
9*
202 THE MORGAN HOBSB.
dent it can never be bv the use of Morgan s:allions
ilone.
Mares of Morgan get must be selected, and the
more crosses F M xrgan blood in the dam the better;
and those should be chosen which are fully up to the
ave: _ size of the race, and :: bit in a high degree
the peculiar characteristics of the breed to which
they belong. It will, however, be no objection to the
mare if she be not quite a w ;11 " rlt :d up" as the sire,
and she rnav be a little longer bodied : rnaiiv breeders
would prefer that she should differ from the sire in
se res : 3ts : but it should not be forsrotten that ex-
treme length of body, combined (as it usually is) with
flat sides and narrow loins, is a far from desirable
figure.
Youatt says. " It may perhaps be justly affirmed
that there is more difficulty in selecting a good mare
to breed from than a srood horse, because- Bhe should
possess somewhat opposite qualiti:--. Her carcase
should belong, in order to give r >m for the errowth
of the foetus : and vet with this there should be com-
:ness of form and shortness of leg.'' The Mor-
gan mare should have a clean, light head, spirit . but
rnild, pleasant eyes, set wide apart ; but above all other
qualities she should pos - :und, hearty and iron
constitution, with abundance of nervous ener jv. The
stallion should be selected partly with reference to the
form and characteristics of the mare, and he should
)ssess in a high degree those good qualities in which
the mare is most deficient. In all cases he should be
compact and pose sssed of a vigorous constitution, have
a bold, resoiut- style of i ., high spirit, and a great
C () M K T
PRINCE ALBERT.
IMPROVING THE BREED. 203
deal of that nervous or vital energy, which gives life,
vigor, and endurance to the whole.
There are two errors very commonly committed by
persons selecting animals from which to breed. Some
pay too much attention to pedigree and too little to
form ; while others err in the opposite direction. The
one will select the animal with the longest pedigree,
whatever be his form, while the other says, " I don't care
about your pedigree, but show me your horse." The
latter is of the two, the least objectionable, for the
stock will be far more likely to inherit the qualities of
an immediate, than those of a remote ancestor. Hence
it is that persons having fine animals, possessed of ex-
tremely short pedigrees, are fond of displaying in
glaring capitals that trite old saying, " Hood is blood,
but form is superiority."
The meaning of this, although a little obscure, we
think is, that blood is a very excellent thing ; but that
when the form and general characteristics are of the
highest order, they are more important than any pedi-
gree. Many persons, however, seem to understand
this very differently, and think it asserts that though
blood is a very good thing, yet when an animal can
be found of almost faultless form and possessing qual-
ities of the highest order, it is of no consequence what
is his blood.
The truth is, that though form and character are
of primary importance, the blood should never be
neglected. This is true when the breeder intends
his stock for the great markets of the country ; but
when he intends to breed a stock for his farm for
the purpose of again breeding from them, the blood
204 THE MORGAN HORSE.
of the animal becomes vastly more important ; and
he who breeds from animals whose immediate ances-
tors were of unknown descent, will be pretty sure to
repent of his error.
Another common error is, to search eagerly for animals
to breed from, that have become noted for their speed.
Many persons can be found who w T ill pick up some
long-legged, rangy, broken-down trotting mare, which
perhaps could trot a mile in 2.30, and think by breed-
ing her to a Morgan stallion, something very fine may
be expected. Nothing can be more ill-judged than
such a course ; and in a large majority of cases it is
sure to end in disappointment and loss. Occasionally,
(and it must be remembered it is only occasionally,) the
progeny of such an animal may exhibit great speed ;
but the great proportion of them will be found to
have inherited her form but not her speed, and hence
are of small value.
The only course to pursue to keep up the Morgan
breed, is for breeders to retain their best mares for
the purpose of breeding. This matter cannot be too
strongly impressed upon farmers, and all who are in-
terested in the subject. There is another danger that
breeders must guard well against. The high prices
that Southern and Western buyers are offering for the
best stallions, is draining the home region rapidly. If
the best are sold, and only the indifferent retained, it
is easy to see that some other part of the country, with
enterprise enough to buy your best animals, will raise
better Morgan horses than } r ou can, as they will have
better stock. No country can long retain a superior
race of animals, who sell all the best of the growth and
IMPROVING THE BREED. 205
increase. This is so obvious that no argument or dis-
cussion is required to show its truth. Some breeders
are already aware of this danger, and will no doubt use
their influence to prevent it. We know of some choice
animals that have been held, notwithstanding the most
tempting offers from abroad.
As the most spirited breeders are now making great
profit by breeding from first-rate animals, their ex-
ample will produce more effect than anything which
can be written on the subject. We know of some
Morgan mares which have been put to breeding that
are valued at a thousand dollars.
The English have paid more attention to breeding,
and with more success, than almost any other people
Their abundant capital, paid freely for choice animals
to breed from, shows us the means which they have
used. As many of the landholders in England are
persons of great wealth, they have not been deterred
by high prices from obtaining the finest animals. Their
example is worthy our most careful consideration ; for
they have had great experience, and the best talent of
the country has been called to their aid. There are
some breeders of Morgan horses who, although they
will not breed from animals decidedly inferior in form,
merely because they may happen to be fast, are yet
inclined to lay too much stress upon great speed — a
good quality, but one which we think is often pur-
chased at the expense of qualities even more valu-
able.
If animals are selected for breeding which can make
the best time for a mile, we think the tendency will be
to depreciate the value of the breed. Bred for that one
206 THE MORGAN HOUSE.
purpose, they will lose some of their compactness, be-
come more leggy and "rangy," and lack the stamina
of the true Morgan. The general business qualities of
the Morgan are what give him his great value. His
admirable travelling gait, and his stoutness, courage,
and endurance, are what is wanted for the road. It is
not wise, therefore, to attempt to make him the fastest
horse in the world, for in doing this we shall be very
likely to lose sight of qualities far more important than
the ability to trot a mile in 2m. 30s.
Let those breeders who manifest so much anxiety to
produce a horse that can trot his mile "in the thirties"
consider for a moment what would be the result, could
they realize their utmost expectations ; (and, if their ex-
pectations are not to be realized, it is foolish to entertain
them.) The horse that can now trot his mile in 2m.
80s., does he command a great price because that speed
is available for any practical and ordinary business
purpose? By no means. It is because he can out-foot
nine -tenths of the sporting horses of the country. It
is because his speed is relatively great, that his value is
great, and just in the proportion that breeders could
produce such animals would their value be decreased.
This alone should cause the prudent breeder to look
first for those qualities that will render the horse val-
uable for all ordinary business purposes.
No person who has given the subject any attention,
but must be fully convinced that too little pains and
care have been taken in breeding these horses. The
value of Morgan horses was not at first justly appreci-
ated by our own people. Travellers through the State
had observed their fine points, and had noticed their
IMPROVING THE BREED. 207
great power of carrying weight in the stage-coaches,
and their extreme hardiness of constitution in a great
variety of situations. A few of the shrewdest horse-
men saw that they were destined to be in great de-
mand whenever they became fully known ; and these
few took pains to secure some good stock for the pur-
pose of breeding. In that part of the State where they
were first bred they became quite numerous before
much demand for them sprung up. The farmers did
not dream that the supply was exhaustible, and little
attention was at that time paid to breeding horses, as
they were very low, and farmers generally considered
it unprofitable. In this State, when the dealer m
horses, or a stranger, offered the farmer at first §100
or $126, and at a later period $150 and $200 for
a fine mare, he could not resist the temptation to
sell her ; and he would supply her place with an ani-
mal of far less size, and worth perhaps less than half
the money he had received for the one he sold. The
legitimate fruit of such a course was the decrease in
size and value of the animals raised; and had this
ruinous system been generally pursued and continued,
the valuable qualities of the breed would have soon
been lost. These remarks, however, are chiefly appli-
cable to that portion of the States of Vermont and
New Hampshire lying between Newbury and Lan-
caster on Connecticut river. The reason for this must
be found in the fact that here the horses were first bred,
and from their greater number were here most easily
obtained : consequently, buyers from abroad rarely vis-
ited any other part of the State, and thus farmers of
the other sections were not so often tempted by liberal
208 THE MORGAN HORSE.
offers to part with their best mares. Though these
remarks are particularly applicable to that part of the
country referred to, yet to a certain extent they might
well apply to every town. As an illustration of the
effect of this carelessness on the part of breeders in
relation to the quality of their mares, we would point
to the very evident difference in the size of the stock
descended from the Sherman raised in the vicinity of
Sutton, Burke, Danville, Lyndon, St. Johnsbury, &c,
and that descended from him, but raised in the north
part of the State, and in Canada, about Derby and Stan-
stead, the former coming directly from the Billy Boot,
and the latter from the Royal Morgan.
These horses possessed exactly the same amount
of the blood of the Justin Morgan, the dams of both
being sired by the Justin Morgan, and themselves both
sons of the Sherman. Their dams also were nearly of
equal size. These horses bore a close resemblance to
one another in many important points, were nearly of
the same size and height, amount of bone, general form,
and both possessed extraordinary courage and action.
They have both, also, attained great and nearly equal
celebrity. Under such circumstances, from the same
description of dams, we should expect stock of a very
similar character, and equal in most respects. In life,
spirit, and action, there is perhaps but little if any
difference, the descendants of both being widely and
justly celebrated for these qualities, but in size there is
a very perceptible difference. The stock descended
from the Royal Morgan, and raised about Derby and
Stanstead, averaging decidedly larger than that raised
in the other towns mentioned, and descended from the
IMPROVING THE BREED. 209
Root horse. Derby and Stanstead are much farther
removed from the markets where Morgan horses have
been sought, and the mares from which the farmers
have bred have been much larger.
Though breeders were generally unmindful of the
qualities of their breeding mares, yet there were
many scattered throughout the State who foresaw
that these horses would be sought for, and early
turned their attention to keeping up the qualities
for which they were so remarkable, if not improv-
ing them by judicious crossing with the best mares
the country could produce. Some commenced pay-
ing attention to this matter during the lifetime of
the Justin Morgan, and bred directly from him. A
constantly-growing attention to this subject has been
manifest from the death of the Justin Morgan to the
present time, though the great mass of the farmers of
the State are yet most culpably negligent in regard to
the blood of the stock they breed from.
It is to these comparatively few persons, who early
gave their attention to this subject, that much of the
reputation and present excellence of the race must be
attributed. With regard to the proper means to be
adopted to improve these horses, little has been said
by those who have written upon it that we think will
be of great service to the breeder. The subject is a
difficult one ; and, although it is very easy to exhort
farmers to take more pains in selecting their breeding
animals, and endeavor to " improve 1 '' the general char-
acter of their stock, yet it is very far from an easy
task to indicate the precise points in which any im-
provement is needed, and the manner in which it is to
210 THE MORGAN HORSE.
be accomplished ; and it is far better to continue breed-
ing entirely within themselves, a stock of horses that
have proved themselves valuable, than to crass them
with animals of a different character with the hope of
improving them, without any definite idea as to the
nature of the improvement we propose to make.
Although we never saw a horse that came up fully in
every particular to our ideal standard of perfection, yet
we have seen many Morgan horses that approached it
so nearly that we should have little thought of attempt-
ing to improve them. Therefore, let the first efforts of
breeders be directed to the preservation of the good
qualities already obtained, by taking great pains to
breed from animals, both sires and dams, possessing as
fully as possible the prominent characteristics that have
distinguished the race, and whose pedigrees trace back
through the best animals of the Morgan breed. Pur-
suing such a course, the breeder can rely upon reaping
an ample reward for his efforts in the ready sale his
stock will meet with at remunerating prices; and he
will not subject himself to the mortification of discov-
ering, when too late, that crossing his animals with
strange breeds, with the view to improvement, has
resulted in a progeny decidedly inferior to either branch
of the parent stock.
Let it not be supposed that we are averse to, or dis-
posed to discourage, any attempts at improvement ; on
the contrary, we would stop at nothing short of perfec-
tion — but, as we approach that ideal standard, the diffi-
culty of advancing is increased ; and the greater pains
should be taken to secure the progress already made.
The improvement of animals that closely approach per-
IMPROVING THE BREED. 211
fection, should be attempted with the greatest care,
and by persons possessed of a thorough knowledge of
the physical laws that will control the result ; and such
alteration must be undertaken for the correction of a
fault, or increased excellence in some definite and
clearly -understood point; otherwise such experiments
will resemble a lottery, in which, though there are
splendid prizes, yet there is also a most discouraging
array of blanks.
Vermont breeders have been so often advised by
persons from abroad to make every exertion to increase
the size of their horses, that, contrary to their own judg-
ment, they have been led to make some efforts to pro-
duce such a change ; but, so far as we have had oppor-
tunity to observe, much increase in size has almost
invariably been obtained by a large admixture of other
blood, and at the expense of qualities we deem of the
utmost importance, namely, compactness, action, and
spirit. The word "size," as applied to horses, has a
very different meaning at the South and in New Eng-
land. At the South the most valuable horses are from
racing or thorough - bred stock. As races are now
generally for short distances, height and length are of
great importance, as enabling the animal to take a long
stride. Consequently, height has there come to be the
measure of size. Thus you ask a person how large
is his horse, and you are told "he is a large horse,
as much as seventeen hands high," or, " he is a small
horse, not more than fourteen hands high.' Few horse-
men at the South take any pains to ascertain the weight
of their horses, that being considered of little import-
ance. Inquire of a Yermonter how large is his horse,
212 THE MORGAN HORSE.
and he replies, "he is a large horse — he will weigh.
1200 lbs.," or, "he is a small horse, and won't weigh
more than 900 lbs." This should not be forgotten, as
many persons who have advised an effort to increase the
size, intend the word to apply only to the height.
AVe think a slight increase in height would be ad-
visable; but there is great clanger of running into
the opposite extreme, and certainly for service and
endurance, too much height is a serious objection.
Youatt says the breeding mare should have "compact-
ness of form, and shortness of leg." That shortness
of limb with compactness of form are indispensable to
great endurance, is too well known and too generally
admitted hy horsemen to need any argument. It may
be true that height is necessary to give the greatest
speed, but of what practical advantage will be such
speed without corresponding powers cf endurance.
All experience shows that the horse of medium size is
far the most capable of performing great feats upon
either the turf or road in carrying weight at long dis-
tances. The Arabian, universally admitted to possess
astonishing powers of endurance under light weight at
high speed, is rarely fifteen hands high. Of those
horses that have distinguished themselves as trotters,
a very large majority of them have been under 15£
hands, some of the most remarkable of them being
under 15. "Fanny Jenks," who trotted one hundred
miles in nine hours forty-two minutes, was only 14 £
hands high, and weighed only 935 pounds. Tom
Thumb, who performed one hundred miles upon Sun-
bury common, England, in ien hours seven minutes,
in February, 1829, was only 14.]- hands high, and his
IMPROVING THE BREED. 213
driver and sulky weighed 250 lbs.; and we think
more instances can be adduced of great feats- at long
distances, performed by horses under fifteen than over
sixteen hands hi^h.
We believe it is a fixed and unyielding law of ani-
mal life, that in medium size we shall find the greatest
activhVy, the best constitutions, the greatest power of
endurance, and the most courage and vital energy. In
the human race, how strikingly is this law illustrated !
It is the men of close, compact figures, and medium
height, that possess the best constitutions, and are
most active and enduring. The athletae of the amphi-
theatre are men of medium size, with close, compact,
muscular figures. Mark the men who live to the age
of ninety or one hundred years : they, too, are of me-
dium stature, with swelling chests and close-knit, vigor-
ous forms.
Large cattle are slow in their movements, and the
heavy Durham or Herefordshire cannot compete with,
the low, compact and hardy Devon in action, speed,
and endurance. The largest varieties of the dog are
quickly conquered by the small, but active and vigo-
rous terrier. And the tall, heavy Chinese fowls are
speedily overpowered by the smaller, but nimble and
high-tempered game bird.
The horse is not an exception to this general law;
and the breeder who fancies he can produce a class of
tall, heavy horses, possessed of the activity, the en-
durance and nervous energy that belongs to animals
of a smaller size, will find upon trial that he has under-
rated the difficulties of the undertaking. The Morgan
horse has obtained his present celebrity as the best
214 THE MORGAN HORSE.
business horse of the country, notwithstanding the
cry "too small, too small," and we earnestly exhort
oreeders to beware, lest, in endeavoring to increase the
size, they lose the very qualities that have earned for
him his high reputation. JSTor is it wise to breed from
horses below the medium size. Yery small horses are
unable to carry the weight or perform the service re-
quired, and will prove dull of sale. But, aiming to
produce animals neither overgrown or dwarfish, by
breeding from such as are of medium size, the breeder
can safely rely upon a quick market and remunerating
sales.
It may be said that the breeder must labor to pro-
duce such horses as the market demands. This is
very true. But if it is true that a horse of a certain
form is best adapted for the uses to which horses sold in
market are put, although he may differ from the horse
then in general use, he will not fail to be properly ap-
preciated when fully known. In a former chapter we
stated that we considered fourteen and a half to fifteen
and a half hands about the proper height of the busi-
ness horse, and the Morgan horses of the best blood
will fall a little below that standard. We would, there-
fore, recommend that pains be taken to bring him up
to this standard, but not at the expense of any of his
valuable qualities.
The proper method of attempting this improvement
is to select larger mares. They should not be of dis-
proportionate size, but such as are fully up to, and if
possible a little above the present average height ; the
sire should not be larger than the dam. The most
intelligent breeders are agreed it is an important rule
IMPROVING THE BREED. 215
in breeding, that the dam should be fully equal to
the sire in size. Yet certainly there is no rule more
frequently disregarded. Upon this point almost all
writers are fully agreed. Some advise breeding mares
of large size to sires of small size ; this we should
very much prefer to the opposite course ; but our own
opinion is, that there should be an approximate equal-
ity between the sire and dam, taking care that the
sire be not the largest, and that he possess such qual-
ities as we have before described.
But some will say recourse must be had to racing
blood to improve the present Morgans. If the char-
acteristic qualities of the Morgan horse are really val-
uable, we are at a loss to see how his excellence in
these respects is to be increased by crossing him with
the race-horse.
Where breeding mares of Morgan blood cannot be
obtained, we should prefer mares possessing a strain
of racing-blood, but not thorough-bred ; for though
the thorough-bred may occasionally be found with
considerable compactness of form, yet it can hardly be
denied that a close-built, compact racer with plenty
of bone and muscle, is at this day a rare animal. Still,
he retains in a high degree the fire and courage that
his ancestors brought with, them from the deserts of
Arabia.
It is to the thorough-bred that the Morgan owes, in
a great measure, his indomitable courage and never-
flagging spirit. This courage and spirit every good
breeder will take great pains to foster and preserve.
Comparatively few breeds of horses possess in a high
degree this distinguishing trait of the Arabian; and it
216 THE MORGAN HORSE.
is chiefly for this reason that we would resort, when
Morgan mares cannot be obtained, to those that have a
strain of racing or Arabian blood, say one-eighth to
one-quarter.
In the breeding of all domestic animals except the
horse, competition for the purchase of the best stock
is mainly confined to farmers and breeders. But the
best specimens of the horse are daily sought for, and
tempting prices offered, by persons not engaged in their
production, residing in the great cities, who are proud
to own the finest drivers and goers in the country.
With the view of improving- the horses of France,
the French government maintain a stud of the best
stallions and mares for breeding, and no expense is
spared by them to command the best in that country.
In some parts of the Uuitecl States associations of farm-
ers and breeders have been formed for the same gene-
ral purpose. It is to an association of this kind formed
some years ago, that Kentucky is indebted for her fine
stock of high-bred cattle, which are acknowledged by
those who have had the best opportunities of judging,
to be superior to those of any other State in the Union.
The Kentucky asssociations have usually imported
their animals, and from time to time sold to their own
citizens, who would retain the stock in the State. The
stock sold has usually paid for the original cost, and all
expenses, so that the improvement has been made at a
cheap rate, and the stock is constantly improving.
Some liberal gentlemen of fortune, who are neither
farmers nor breeders, would no doubt aid in forming
and keeping up such associations for the improvement
of horses. If such an association were formed in every
IMPROVING THE BUEED. 217
county, they could easily retain the best stallions and
mares for breeding. They would prove useful in
awakening more attention to the importance and neces-
sity of retaining the very best animals, and the example
of the association would not be lost on individuals.
The following suggestions by an intelligent writer
in the "Albany Cultivator," over the signature of
11 Equus," seem to us worthy of attention : " The form-
ation of clubs in different neighborhoods for the im-
provement of the breed of horses, might be productive
of great advantage. It should be an object with such
clubs to secure the best mares, which should be bred
to the most valuable horses. The rules of the clubs
should be as few and as simple as possible. The mares
may be owned separately, by individuals composing
the clubs ; but they should be such as the club, or a
committee appointed by it, should approve. The stal-
lions should be owned by the club. They should be
selected by individuals appointed by the club. The
club should have the sole direction in regard to their
use; they should be kept at joint expense ; and the
proceeds arising from their services should be divided
in an equitable ratio among the members. This busi-
ness, if properly conducted, may undoubtedly be made
profitable, The clubs, if properly conducted, would
soon establish a favorable reputation. They should
offer none but the very lest stock, and such would be
certain to meet with a ready sale at remunerating
prices."
In some parts of the country such societies or clubs
have been formed — but few if any in our State. In
reading the foregoing remarks in relation to the prop-
10
218 THE MORGAN" HORSE.
er method of preserving and perpetuating the Morgan
breed of horses, it must be borne in mind that we
believe it is the true interest of breeders to foster and
preserve those qualities that render them so valuable
as business horses, and to make no effort to adapt them
to those kinds of service for which fashion or utility
demand a different kind of animal. They have not
height enough to suit fashionable people in the large
cities who want horses to roll their princely equipages
through the streets. They have not the natural paces
that persons generally think best suited for the saddle ;.
and if we were to attempt breeding horses to supply
that demand, we should prefer a different breed.
In concluding this chapter, we cannot forbear ex-
pressing the hope that some of our breeders possessing
the requisite knowledge of, and taste for the subject,
will favor the public with a full and complete essay
upon it, as it is one far too little understood by the
great mass of our farmers.
The man who causes two blades of grass, or two
grains of wheat, to grow where only one grew before, is
admitted to be a public benefactor. But he who will
improve, or show us how to improve, our domestic ani-
mals, will do us an equal, perhaps a greater service.
CHAPTER XII.
HINTS IN RELATION TO BREAKING AND DRIVING.
However horsemen may differ in relation to the
manner of inculcating the later lessons, all seem to be
well agreed that perfect kindness and gentleness should
characterize our first efforts to bring the young colt
under that perfect subjection, without which the finest
form, the greatest speed, or the most lasting endurance,
will fail to make him superlatively valuable. But
though all horsemen profess themselves agreed as to
the importance of thus treating the young colt, many
allow their practice to differ widely from their profes-
sions.
Of all the vicious habits which are found in horses,
we believe nine-tenths are owing to unkind treatment,
harsh usage and improper management when first put
to work, or, in other words, while being broken.
The ancients well understood the importance of
kind treatment in training colts. Nearly twenty-three
hundred years ago Xenophon wrote the following
directions for the management of the young horse :
" Care must be taken, that when the breaker receives
the foal, he be gentle, tractable, and fond of men. For
he is generally rendered so at home by the groom, if
the foal is made to understand that hunger, thirst, and
irritation are procured by solitude ; and that meat,
drink and freedom from irritation are procured by men.
(219)
220 THE MORGAN HORSE.
"When these things take place, foals not only love but
long for men. It is necessary also to touch those parts
which, when touched, give greatest pleasure to the
horse ; and these are the hairiest, and those parts in
which, when he feels any pain, he cannot relieve him-
self.
" The groom should be enjoined to lead him through
a crowd, and cause him to approach all kinds of sights
and sounds. Whichever of these the foal may dread,
it is necessary to teach him, not by harshness, but
gentleness, that they are not dangerous."
Regarding this subject as one of vital importance
and too little understood, we shall devote some space
to it, at the risk of its being thought foreign to our
general subject.
The breaking and training of the horse to the kinds
of service for which, when matured, he will be used,
should commence at an early age. The reasons for
this are many and obvious. As the colt advances
towards maturity, he becomes more fixed in his habits,
more resolute in temper, less capable of being taught,
and is able to offer greater resistance.
With regard to his being "less capable of being
taught," many persons may not think this correct, and,
as an illustration, point us to the horses used in the
Circus, these horses being rarely trained to their paces,
tricks and evolutions, until they are fully grown ; but
we do not think this in any respect militates against
the soundness of our proposition ; it merely shows us
how much may be accomplished after the horse has
attained his full growth. As a general thing, we think
it will be found that those horses whose performances
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 221
are the most remarkable, as exhibiting a high and rare
degree of intelligence, were early trained to obedience.
It is a well-known fact that animals which have
been trained for years, and taught to perform a great
variety of tricks, until they seem almost endowed with
the intelligence of human beings, are not only perfect
in the various difficult feats they have been taught, but
they also acquire the power of learning any other
tricks or performances with ease and rapidity ; just as
the child who from his infancy has been taught to
exercise his faculties daily until arrived at manhood,
acquires knowledge much more easily and readily than
he whose mind has been allowed to run entirely to
waste and receive no sort of cultivation. The mere
habit of implicit obedience from his earliest years,
would in itself account, in a great measure, for the
greater ease with which the horse accustomed to such
obedience is taught.
Few will deny that animals may, and that the horse
does, possess intelligence ; and we can scarcely conceive
of an intelligence that is not capable of cultivation
and improvement.
When the horse is very young he is capable of offer-
ing but a feeble resistance to his master, and there is
much less danger of his injuring himself or his trainer
by his efforts to free himself from necessary restraint.
Two objections are sometimes urged against the early
training of colts : 1st, that using them at a very early
age retards their growth, and is apt to render them
unsound ; and 2d, that early handling injures and sours
their temper. To the first we reply that such injuries
result from injudicious and harsh treatment, and such
222 THE MORGAN HOUSE.
treatment will result in injuries to the animal, no
matter what his age. We have heard this objection
made by persons who would allow their colts to run
wild until the third winter, never even accustoming
them to allow of the least handling, and then an effort
is made to break them, and the whole process is em-
phatically a breaking one.
A file of men surround him in the field, drive him
to a corner, and with great trouble a halter is got upon
him. He is made fast to a strong post and allowed to
wear himself out in his prodigious efforts to escape ;
efforts that far more imperil his limbs and his life than
years of careful and judicious use. Unless great
pains are taken that all the fastenings are secure, he
will be apt to free himself; and, let him once break
away, all after attempts to subdue him will be attended
with tenfold difficulty. After being so far subdued
that he will yield to the halter and allow himself to be
led, a harness is put on him, he is put with another
animal before a common sled, the tongue or pole of
which runs so low that the traces are dangling about
his legs, and he can at any time step over them with-
out the slightest difficulty. He has been put in by
main force, and he stands sulky and ill-tempered, his
legs spread out and his ears motionless. When told
to start, and the horse with him moves off, he is drag-
ged ahead, and in all probability his first movement
will be a prodigious rush forward that threatens to
snap every strap and fastening about him ; should a
trace or a whifiietree break, or any other important
thing give way, he will often get loose, and from the
effects of such a fright and escape, the high-spirited
I
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 223
colt rarely recovers ; he may, by good management and
care, be driven, and even become apparently quiet and
manageable ; but let some part of his harness break,
or a trace unhitch, and he is instantly wild with fright,
and will use every possible exertion to escape, which
exertion will, in many cases, prove successful. But if,
instead of making any effort to free himself from re-
straint when he is first bid to go, he proves sullen and
exhibits a disposition to resist all endeavors to move
him, his driver at once declares it an exhibition of ill-
temper and natural ugliness that must be broken down
at the very commencement of his training, or it will
grow worse by going unchecked; accordingly he begins
with a slight touch of the whip, slight, because he is
somewhat afraid of the immediate consequences : startled
by the blow, the colt perhaps makes an effort to move
forward, but is checked by the bit, the driver having
taken him well in hand before touching him with the
whip : another touch of the whip with a slackened
rein and possibly he is got off without accident. But
suppose the first touch of the whip does not startle
him, it is repeated until he feels some pain from it, and
he returns the blow with a kick, just as he kicks at
the fly that annoys him in the pasture ; instead, how-
ever, of meeting nothing but thin air, his foot or leg
comes in contact with the whifiletree, the pole, or the
traces — he is both hurt and frightened — he repeats the
blow, and in a few moments has freed himself from
the carriage, his driver, and all restraint, and has taken
his first lesson in one of the worst vices to which the
horse can be addicted.
It is true that under such management the colt will
4
224 THE MORGAN HORSE.
often turn out well and become perfectly kind and
tractable, but it by no means follows that because such
management often succeeds it is the best mode of treat-
ing the young colt. Such treatment often results in
the utter ruin of the animal, by straining him or in-
flicting some other bodily injury, or by fixing upon
him some vice that renders him wholly unsalable.
Of the animals that suffer permanent injury from
such management, nine- tenths of them are horses that
would, under different treatment, have made very su-
perior and valuable servants — for it is the horse of high
courage and spirit that offers the most serious resistance,
and requires the greatest exercise of patience, kindness,
and gentle treatment; while the dull, sluggish and
stupid animal, though easily broken, is unfortunately
worth but a trifle after it is done.
Som? may think it impossible that such a course of
brutal treatment can be often pursued towards the
horse in view of all that has been written upon the sub-
ject; but we have so often seen instances of it, that it
is quite plain enough has not yet been said or written
against it.
In training the young horse, too much pains cannot
be taken to have every description of harness or
fastening put upon him perfectly sound and sufficiently
strong. Accidents arising from defects in the harness
or carriage are not only dangerous to the driver, but
often ruinous to the horse.
The first lessons in obedience should be given while
the colt is following the dam ; and, to accomplish this
the more readily, the mare should be often used at
some light work, in order that the colt may be easily
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 225
handled and made perfectly familiar with the various
objects with which, when grown, he will be connected.
He should be handled every day gently and quietly,
taking care to touch him only in those places that are
agreeable to him : these places will be those that he
cannot easily rub, or touch with his mouth or feet — ■
such as the back, the top of the hips, the jowls, the
under side of the neck and the head, taking care to avoid
the ears, for few horses like to have their ears touched,
no matter how carefully. The greatest care should be
taken to avoid touching them on the flanks, or the
inside of the stifle, the under side of the breast, or in
any place where it seems to annoy him.
Every one has observed that some persons are more
easily tickled than others, some being so sensitive in
this respect that the mere pointing of a finger towards
them puts them in perfect misery ; while others hardly
ever experience any such sensation, no matter how
much effort is made to produce it. The horse is
equally sensitive in this respect, and many a fine animal
has been utterly ruined by a total disregard to this
natural sensation, over which the horse has no control.
How often do we see the horse tied up to be groomed
twisting and turning in every direction to avoid the
sharp teeth of the curry-comb with which the brutal
groom is harrowing up the skin, and chafing him in
those places where even the slightest touch puts him
in agony : should the poor brute venture to return such
usage by a kick, a most unmerciful beating is pretty
sure to follow, and he is at once pronounced an ugly
and vicious animaL
When the colt is about two months old, a halter
10*
226 THE MORGAN HORSE.
should be put on him : a rope one will do, though a
leather one is better, as the harsh rope chafes and
annoys him. Of whatever material the halter is made,
it should be abundantly strong, so that his most violent
struggles cannot break it ; put a harness on the mare,
and either put her before a wagon, or hitch her in such
a way that the colt will not be liable to hurt himself
in plunging, as he will be pretty sure to for a few
minutes. If he has been accustomed to being handled,
no difficulty will be found in putting on the halter.
It should be fastened to the collar of the mare's har-
ness, and the breaker, taking hold of the bit of the
mother with one hand, keep constant hold of the
halter of the colt with the other ; for it is important
that he should not only surrender, but he should be
made to associate all ideas of obedience with his master.
After a few pulls at the halter and a jump or two, he
submits, and may soon be led anywhere with perfect
safety.
In these, as in all other lessons, care should be taken
to reward every act of obedience by a gentle pat and
a kind word. After the colt will suffer himself to be
led, little more need be clone towards breaking him
until he is two years old, except that he should be
handled daily and often led ; and in doing this care
should be taken not to endeavor to walk faster than
the colt is naturally disposed to. It is a great mistake
to suppose that incessant lugging at the halter will
teach the colt to walk fast : it will only teach him to
hang back upon the halter, and this habit, once con-
firmed, can never be fully broken. At two years old
the breaking to harness and saddle should commence.
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 227
If the colt has never been accustomed to the confine-
ment of the stall, he should be put in for a few hours
every day for a few days, hitched short so that there
may be no possibility of his getting his feet over the
halter ; he should be turned out nights till he gets per-
fectly well accustomed to his stable. During this time
he should be bitted every day ; at first he may be turn-
ed loose with a headstall or bridle on, without the
reins; this should be continued till he becomes per-
fectly accustomed to the bit.
The ordinary bitting bridle may then be put on, and
the bearing and side reins taken up just so as to move
the head a very little from its natural position, and it
should not be kept on more than two hours. Nothing
can be more pernicious than the practice of straining
the head into an exceedingly unnatural position, and
keeping it so for hours, to the excruciating torture of
the animal, and the utter ruin of his mouth.
Much of this ill-treatment in bitting is to be attribut-
ed to a mistaken notion that the manner in which the
horse carries his head will depend principally, or in a
great measure, upon the position into which it is drawn
by the bitting bridle. The position in which the
horse carries his head in harness will depend almost
entirely upon his form and his temper, which govern its
natural position when left free from any sort of restraint.
No art can ever give the horse with a low, perpendicular
shoulder and short neck, a fine style of carrying his head
and neck, even if he possesses good courage and spirit.
The bitting bridle may be of some service in giving
the head a proper position ; but the great object of
using it is, to accustom the horse to submit to the press*
228 TNE MORGAN HORSE.
ure of the bit, and teacli him to obey the motions of
the reins.
When the head is strained up into an unnatural and
uncomfortable position, and kept there a long time, the
colt relieves the pain he feels by resting the entire
weight of his head on the bit; and in this case, instead
of deriving any benefit from it, his mouth is injured
by his acquiring the habit of hanging on the bit, and
often this will be accompanied by the habit of leaning
his head on one side of his bit ; these habits will fol-
low him through life, and very materially injure him.
Youatt says, " The bit should be large and smooth,
and the reins buckled to a ring in the side of the pad.
There are many curious and expensive machines for this
purpose, but the simple rein will be quite sufficient. It
should at first be slack, and then be gradually tighten-
ed. This will prepare for the more perfect manner in
which the head will afterwards be got into its proper
position, when the colt is accustomed to the saddle.
Occasionally the breaker should stand in front of the
colt and take hold of each rein near the mouth, and
press upon it, and thus begin to teacli him to stop
and to back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding
every act of docility, and not being too eager to
punish occasional carelessness or waywardness."
After having become well accustomed to the bit,
portions of the harness should be put on slowly and
carefully, and he should be led about for a time until
he becomes perfectly accustomed to it. Then the reins
may be used, and when he has become obedient to
them, a third person should take hold of the traces, one
in each hand, taking care that they are long enough so
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 229
that lie can retain his hold if the colt should kick, and
by occasionally pulling on them teach the colt to keep
steadily along, whether he feels any draught on his
shoulders or not.
After the colt has been thoroughly practiced in all
these exercises until he has become perfectly familiar
with them, and quiet in them, he can be put into a cart
or sulky. This should be light, with high wheels, so
that the shafts (which should be very strong) may come
up fully as high as the stifle. The best place for doing
this is an open, smooth field. To put the horse before
the cart or sulky, three persons are required — one to
hold the colt while the others, each taking hold of one of
the thills, draw up the carriage behind him, and, shov-
ing forward and raising the thills, hitch up the traces
as carefully but quickly as possible. This being done,
the driver should get upon the seat, and taking the
reins, allow the person holding the colt to lead him a
few rods until he takes no notice of the carriage. He
should then carefully relax his hold and give him up
to the sole management of the driver, who should make
little effort to rein or guide him, but simply hold him
snug enough to keep in a walk — for he should not at
first be allowed to trot ; this exercise should be short,
but should be repeated every day. Many will prefer
to put the colt beside another horse, but we much pre-
fer this method for several reasons, first — although he
may be taught to go quietly with another horse, still
he will not drive well alone without a new course of
instruction. In almost all double carriages the pole
runs so low that the colt can easily kick over the traces;
and, should he happen to get over them, he is frighten-
230 THE MORGAN HORSE.
ed, and it is often very difficult to get him quiet, or
prevent his breaking away. In double harness the
colt can at any time free himself from the restraint of
the bit by stopping and allowing the strain of the reins
to come upon his mate. If a little vexed, he can
twist about, throw his head over his mate's neck, and
do many annoying things that he cannot do in the
sulky or cart. Nothing now remains to complete his
education but to teach him his paces ; and this, although
rarely much attended to, is of the greatest consequence,
as on his perfection in these depends much of his useful-
ness and value.
No pace is of so much importance to the roadster or
business horse as the walk, and the young horse should
be thoroughly drilled in this before any attempt is
made to push him in the trot.
The greatest care should be taken to keep each pace
clear and distinct from the other; when walking, he
should never be allowed to trot a few steps and then
commence his walk again. In the ordinary training
of horses very little attention is paid to this, and the
result is, it is a very rare thing that a horse will bear
the least urging, while walking, without breaking at
once into a trot. When trotting, as in walking, care
must be taken that he keeps steadily at his pace and
not slacking into a walk for a step or two ; and be not
over-anxious to have your colt acquire a reputation for
a fast trotter, before he has learned to move well in a
walk or a moderate trot. However, he must occasion-
ally be pushed to his extreme speed in the trot, but he
should be kept up to it only a few moments at a time .
and whenever he has done well, take care to let him
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 231
walk a short time, and reward him with a kind and
soothing word. In driving, always keep the reins snug,
no matter how gentle the horse, or how slow his pace ;
the gentlest horse may sometimes be frightened, and
the slowest will sometimes stumble. To drive with
the reins dangling about your horse is a careless habit,
and your horse at all times needs a gentle pressure on the
bit. When pushed to the top of his speed he should
be kept well in hand, and the reins kept up snug, that
he may learn to bear well upon them, as it is by means
of the reins chiefly that the horse, when going at a
high speed, is kept steady in his pace. While it is
important that he should take a good snug rein, he
should not be taught to pull with all his might, for
then he is not only difficult to manage, but the tremen-
dous pull is apt to draw in his nose, and by thus bend-
ing the neck too much 3 prevent his breathing readily
and freely.
The art of driving well, however, can no more be
taught by any written instructions than the art o£
writing : we only intend to state a few plain and simple
truths that every one who is attempting to break a
young colt should know and understand.
Comparatively few persons besides the professed
jockeys, fully understand the art of developing the
greatest speed of the horse in a trot, and it would be
utterly impossible to describe how the driver may dis-
cover the first evidence of a break, which may gene-
rally be noticed several steps before the break occurs :
still more difficult would it be to describe the manner
in which the finished driver, by a word and a strain
upon the reins, fairly lifts his horse over the trouble-
\
232 THE MORGAN HORSE.
some point, without the least apparent check to his
speed. Yet almost any man who has any taste for a
horse can do much towards improving him in this re-
spect. A great deal will depend upon the temper and
life of the horse. The horse of dull and sluggish tem-
per will bear to be crowded with the whip, and when
he breaks, may be more severely punished than the
horse of high spirit; the latter rarely needs any urging to
send him at once to his best speed, but that very ardor
renders him much more likely to overstep his gait.
He must not be punished severely for every breaking
from his gait, for, if he is invariably beaten for it,
when he finds he is beginning to get "tangled" he is
frightened, and immediately breaks, and having once
broken, it is very difficult to get him down to his work
again.
Though particularly true of the young horse, that
he should be kept at the top of his speed but a short
time, it is also true of the older animal. He should be
driven daily at a moderate pace, two or three times a
week, giving him a sharp drive of two or three miles,
not all the way at the top of his speed, but at a good
smart gait, occasionally crowding him to the utmost
stretch of his powers, but in no case should it be kept
up till he begins to flag and fall off in his pace. It
will also be found advantageous to drive him over the
same ground frequently, until he becomes well ac-
quainted with it, and rouse him to exertion at the same
points ; by doing this, he will, if possessed of any
spirit, soon acquire a keen relish for these "bursts."
Care must be taken that while endeavoring to develop
the greatest power of the horse in the trot, his other
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 233
paces are not neglected ; particularly should great pains
be taken to accustom him to a good driving or road
gait, and to teach him to stand quietly and patiently
whenever and wherever stopped, until bidden to go.
The latter is often a difficult lesson, and requires the
greatest patience on the part of the trainer, and even
with his utmost skill and perseverance he will find
some horses whose temperaments are so nervous that
it will never be safe to leave them unfastened.
During all this course of early training, it must be
constantly borne in mind that the colt, although old
enough to learn how to move well in harness, and
perhaps to drive as quietly and pleasantly as an older
horse, is not old enough to perform the work of an
animal fully matured. Two or three miles a day be-
fore a sulky or very light buggy at a walk, is ample
work for him when two years or thirty months old.
This exercise should be gradually increased as he grows
older, until at four or five years he can be put to ordi-
nary work ; but he will not often be able to endure
severe and constant labor until six or seven ; and we
believe it is the general opinion of sporting men that
the trotter, if properly treated, will continue to improve
until ten or twelve years old, if not prematurely put
to severe work.
In this connection, a few remarks as to the proper
manner of preparing horses for, and exhibiting them at
Agricultural Fairs, or upon other public occasions, may
not be amiss, especially when we consider that the entire
neglect which many really fine animals so often meet
with at these exhibitions, is frequently due entirely
234 THE MORGAN HORSE.
to the ignorance, gross carelessness or neglect of their
owners.
A farmer has a fine, powerful three-years-old colt,
that is descended from excellent stock, and is in fact
a fine animal, and he concludes to exhibit him at a
neighboring Fair ; he has been partially broken to lead,
but, with this exception, is entirely untrained ; he has
been left in the pasture entirely to himself; he is in
high condition, but his flesh is soft from green feed and
want of exercise ; his mane and tail are matted and
rusty, and his coat looks faded and dry from long
exposure to sun and rain. But his owner says the
judges should look at the horse and not at his training,
or grooming, and appears to forget that the capacity of
the horse to receive instruction is one of his valuable
qualities, and this capacity cannot be shown save by
training. And how shall we know whether his harsh,
sunburnt hair can ever look soft and glossy, even with
the most careful grooming ?
Even if these things could be determined, such a
horse would never compare favorably with one which,
though by nature in no respect superior, is yet equally
well formed, and has been properly groomed and
trained. We should no more expect a man of taste
voulcl fancy such an animal, than we should expect
Um to be fascinated with a beautiful woman, of awk-
vard manners and untidily dressed.
All horses intended for exhibitions, at which they
\rill require to be exercised, either in harness or under
the saddle, should have at least two weeks' preparation,
in order that they may appear to the best advantage ;
BREAKING AND DRIVING. 235
supposing them to be in good flesh, and healthy at
the time this preparation commences. If it is intended
to test the speed or endurance of the animal, he should
be treated in the same manner as the race-horse is pre-
pared for the course, and the preparation should com-
mence much earlier. If, on the contrary, it is contem-
plated only to exhibit his form and paces, and give him
moderate exercise throughout the day, much less pains
need be taken.
The horse should have a cool, airy, and roomy stall,
and should be kept covered, if in summer, with a light,
and if in winter, with a heavy blanket. If he is very
fat, his flesh should be reduced by decreasing his feed
and increasing his exercise ; for no good horseman will
be pleased with an animal whose muscles are entirely
concealed by huge masses of fat ; and it is a great mis-
take to endeavor to exhibit horses and hogs in equal
condition.
If your horse is in suitable flesh,' and is fully ma-
tured, he should travel not less than six or eight miles
per day, be thoroughly cleaned morning and night,
have a liberal allowance of good sweet hay, and just
grain enough to keep him in the right condition. If his
exercise is six miles per day at a moderate rate, from four
to six quarts of oats will usually be sufficient ; should
he make flesh under this treatment, his feed should be
decreased, and his exercise increased, enough to coun-
teract this tendency to take on flesh. The horse may
be put to any light work if it is convenient ; but if his
exercise is continued through most of the day, he will
require much more liberal feed. If the owner has no
work for him, or is anxious to have his horse make
236 THE MORGAN HORSE.
a fine appearance, lie will do well to have him take
his daily exercise in the manner he will be exhibited,
whether in the wagon, sulky, or under the saddle, in
order that he may appear easy and well accustomed
to it. Sufficient exercise is not often given, but it is
of great importance. Without it, the horse is nervous
and excited, from being brought into a crowd after long
confinement to the stable ; his flesh is soft, he frets, per-
spires freely, the dust sticks to him, he soon looks like
a coach-horse at the end of a long, hard stage, and,
before the day is passed, is quite exhausted by his un-
accustomed exercise.
In exhibiting your horse, do not attempt to assume
the character of a jockey, for in the great majority of
cases the attempt will prove a failure ; and should you
succeed, we think you will not find the character
more creditable to you than that of a sound practical
farmer or breeder. Not that we believe there is any
moral or religious principle — any rule of social duty —
or any reasonable consideration that forbids a joerson
owning the finest horses, and exhibiting upon suitable
occasions, and in a proper manner, their form and paces
to the best advantage, displaying skilful horsemanship
in the management of them ; but, in our judgment, it
is not in good taste for any one, either in public or
private, to attempt to assume a character not his own.
How often do we see youth, aspiring to the distinc-
tion of being: called "fast," driving round the rings at
our Agricultural Fairs, pulling, like John Gilpin, upon
a horse who perchance needs most diligent persuading
to trot a mile in four minutes, and wounding all sensi-
tive ears with yells and shrieks that would shame a
BREAKING AND DRIVING-. 237
Bedlamite ; as if the art of driving consisted in pulling
with might and main upon the bit, and screaming at
the utmost pitch of their voices.
How would such men as Woodruff, Wheelan, Pea-
body, or Pfifer swell with indignation, were they to be
present on these occasions, and see their art thus grossly
caricatured.
CHAPTEE XIII.
THE PROPER MANNER OF FEEDING AND DRIVING UPON THE ROAD.
In the preceding chapter, we have offered some sug-
gestions as to the proper method of teaching the young
horse to submit cheerfully and fully to the authority
and direction of his master, and also as to the best
manner of driving. These last had particular reference
to the proper manner of driving, to render the manage-
ment of him easy, and to exhibit his form and paces
to the best advantage. What we say upon the subject
of driving, in this chapter, has special reference to the
manner of regulating his speed over the unequal sur-
face of the ordinary roads of the country, supposing
him to be thus driven daily, as upon a journey or in
the stage coach.
With regard to the kind of food that should be
given the horse when used upon the road, there is
much difference of opinion, some preferring corn, some
oats, and some meal, the latter to be fed with the hay
after the hay has been cut fine and moistened with
water, and is called "cut feed." The meal used is
generally a mixture of corn and oats, corn and rye,
and sometimes of corn, oats and rye. When of corn
and oats, it is usually of about equal parts of each, but
the rye, when used, is generally mixed with about
double its quantity of the other grains. Without stop-
ping to discuss the chemical analysis of these grains,
(233
SCOTT HORSE
fi H E R M A N
FEEDING AND DRIVING. 239
and deducing therefrom their relative value as articles
of food, we shall content ourselves with stating which,
in our opinion, will be found, under ordinary circum-
stances, the most profitable. Leaving it to the chemist
to decide which will produce the most fat, and which
the most muscle, we would suggest that this should
not alone determine our choice — for when put to rapid
work, the horse must not only have nutritious food,
but it must be such as will digest readily, in order that
digestion may be performed as much as possible dur-
ing the hours of rest. Driving the horse rapidly
when his stomach is filled with undigested food, is not
only injurious, but dangerous. Again, sudden and
entire changes in diet are decidedly injurious ; and if a
person, when travelling, endeavors to use a kind of
food that is not easily and readily obtained at the
various places where he stops to feed, he will fre-
quently be compelled to give his horse a kind of grain
to which he is altogether unaccustomed. In those
parts of the country where barley is raised, we should
use it, preferring it to any other food, provided the
horse is not driven very rapidly ; but as in most sec-
tions of the country barley cannot readily be procured,
we should recommend oats, as they are not only excel-
lent food, but can be almost everywhere obtained with-
out difficulty.
As to the quantity that should be fed, no definite
rule can be given, as the quantity must be varied to
suit the wants of different animals. From eight to
sixteen quarts, and usually from ten to twelve quarts
per day, will be found sufficient.
Where ground oats (oatmeal) can be had they are
240 THE MORGAN HORSE.
always to be preferred, as they are sooner digested.
The feed, whether oats or oatmeal, should be moistened
with water, as this makes it more grateful to the ani-
mal, facilitates digestion, and it is thus more easily and
thoroughly masticated. This should be given regular,
and not more than three feeds in twenty-four hours.
The largest should be given at night, and the lightest
at noon, unless the horse is allowed from two to three
hours rest, in which case the noon feed may be in-
creased. In no case should either water or food be
given when the animal is very warm from exercise.
The first and most important duty that the traveller
should in no case neglect, is to look personally to the
care of his horse, to see that he is properly fed and
watered, that he is put in a comfortable stall, that he
is well groomed and well littered. The man who con-
siders the care of the horse he is driving unworthy his
attention, or who from carelessness neglects it, ought
never to leave home unattended by some person whose
dignity will not suffer from attention to the comforts
of his faithful servant, and who is sufficiently thought-
ful to recollect them. This care of the horse is not
only demanded by every principle of humanity, but
also by regard for our own interest, since no horse,
however sound and enduring, can last long under
severe labor without constant and judicious care. It
is hardly necessary for us to say that the fact that the
animal is a hired one, in no way lessens the duty, but
rather seems to increase it. The man who fails to take
suitable care of a hired horse is not only wanting in
humanity, but he cannot properly set up any great
claim to thorough honesty, for he is neglecting an ani-
FEEDING AND DKIVING. 241
mal that is endeavoring to serve him, and wrongino-
his owner out of part of the consideration for its
services.
Again, we say to all those who have occasion to
travel on horseback, or in private carriages, put not
your faith in grooms and ostlers, for they are fallible,
but attend personally to the care of your horse, and be
sure you will not repent it, but will find yourself
doubly repaid for the little trouble by finding him
come out bright, fresh, and vigorous in the morning,
his energies renewed, and fully able and willing to
serve you.
When stopping for the night, endeavor to secure a
good, roomy, and quiet stall, not too close and con-
fined, nor yet so situated that a current of air will blow
into it ; see that there are no holes in the manger
through which he may waste a portion of his food ; see
that the floor and sides are strong and sound, and the
latter so constructed tha.t he will not be annoyed by
animals in the neighboring stalls. Take off the har-
ness and have him thoroughly rubbed. If wet with
sweat, whether in summer or winter, do not leave him
until perfectly dry. If the weather is warm and the
roads dusty, have the lips, nostrils, and eyes wiped
out with a damp sponge ; nothing is more grateful to
him, and anything that promotes his comfort and rest
is of positive service to him.
If the horse has not been accustomed to the harness
regularly, or if the harness is one in which he has not
been used, examine the various places where it will
be likely to chafe him, particularly the shoulders. If
the skin is anv where broken during the first day's
ty O «/'
11
242 THE MORGAN HORSE.
drive, be sure there is something wrong about the har-
ness that must be at once attended to. If the skin has
not been broken, you may judge whether the shoulders
have been chafed or "scalded" by watching the drying
of the hair. If there are any spots that remain wet
after the surrounding parts are dry, it is chafed, and
the shoulders should be washed in cool (but not cold)
water and castile soap, the soap assisting in cleansing
the skin, thus opening the pores and promoting a
healthy action. Some horsemen wash the shoulders
every night, but we do no think it generally necessary.
Before putting him in his stall, have any old hay
that may be in the rack or manger taken out, and the
manger or box in which he is to have his food cleaned.
If you have driven him hard, or if he is warm, do not
feed him for half an hour. If he is very dry, give him
three or four swallows of water, not very cold. In
half an hour, give him six or eight quarts of water,
and a little bright, clean hay, free from mould or clust.
In the course of an hour offer him more water, and
give him his allowance of grain and more hay. See
that he has a good, dry, deep bed, for the horse enjoys
a good soft bed, after a hard day's work, as well as his
master. Having thus seen him properly cared for,
leave him to rest.
The following morning do not feed him, or any way
disturb him until sunrise, or at least until after day-
light. The horse, unless very tired, rarely lies down
until after midnight, and does not require more than
from three to five hours sleep, and this he will usually
take during the latter part of the night.
The first thing in the morning should be to see if
FEEDING AND DRIVING. 243
he has eaU:i up all the feed given him the night before.
If not, he should be fed sparingly, taking care to re-
move all the hay and grain that he has left of his last
night's feed. Before feeding, offer him a little water.
If he drinks freely, and eats with apparent relish his
morning's allowance, you may safely conclude that he
is well, and that his previous day's drive has not in-
jured him. If he has been properly groomed over-
night he will want nothing more than a light brushing,
and in an hour after he has eaten his feed he may be
harnessed and commence his day's work.
With regard to the proper method of driving, no
rules can be laid down that will enable an inexperi-
enced person to drive well, practice being as necessary
to enable one to drive well as to write well. Still,
some general rules can be given that will be of service
to the new beginner.
"With regard to the rate at which the horse should
be driven, little can be said, as this should depend on
a variety of circumstances, the speed of the animal, his
powers of endurance, the distance to be travelled, and
the urgency of haste in the business for which the
journey is performed.
Supposing that there is no extraordinary necessity
of haste, and that the journey is to be continued for
several successive days, care should be taken not to
push the horse the first two or three days, but let him
get seasoned and accustomed to his work. If worked
too hard the first two days, he refuses his food, be-
comes dull and stupid, loses flesh rapidly, and in a
short time, if he is not dangerously sick, he is entirely
unable to work.
244 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Whatever distance you intend to drive in the course
of the day, drive moderately for the first hour ; many
a fine horse is ruined by being driven fast on a full
stomach. After the first hour, consider the distance
yon have to go, and the time you have to accomplisn
it in, and endeavor to drive at an equal rate. 'Not that
you are to drive at the same rate up hill and down,
or drive each mile at exactly the same speed, but sup-
posing the general character of the road to be the
same through the entire distance, endeavor to drive
an equal number of miles per hour.
Thus suppose you have sixty miles to travel, and
have nine hours to perforin it in, drive thirty or thirty-
five miles at the rate of eight miles per hour, then
stop for an hour, or an hour and a half, to give him
food and rest. Take off the harness and have him
rubbed with straw until he is dry, or at least until the
dust and sweat are removed, then give him a little
water and his grain. We are aware that most travel-
lers do not remove the harness at noon, but it should
always be done, especially in hot weather.
Too much time must not be spent in rubbing and
cleaning, and as soon as sufficiently cool, the horse
should have his feed, for this and rest he needs more
than grooming. Before starting in the afternoon, offer
him a little water. Drive as in the morning, except
that there is less need of caution for the first hour, and
you may drive at the usual speed for the entire remain-
ing distance.
We are aware that it has been sometimes recom-
mended to pursue an entirely different conrse, namely,
to drive at a high speed for a few hours, and then give
FEEDING AND DRIVING. 245
the horse a long rest, and again drive at the same high
speed for the balance of the distance. Thus, in per-
forming a distance of sixty miles in nine honrs, they
would drive thirty miles in three hours, stop three
hours, and drive the remaining thirty miles in the
remaining three hours.
This advice would seem to be founded on the belief
that it is the number of hours that a horse is worked
that fatigues him, without reference to the speed ;
indeed, we remember to have seen this principle
broadly and distinctly stated, that "it is the all- day
work that knock up horses, and not the rate at which
they are driven." This seems to us a great and pal-
pable error.
Let us consider for a moment what is the average
rate of speed of the race-horse during the entire time
occupied in a repeating race of four miles. Take, for
instance, the race over the Union Course, Long Island,
for the Jockey Club purse of $600, October 13, 1832.
In this race twenty miles were run in 41m. 40s. actual
running time, but allowing thirty minutes between
each heat, which is the shortest time allowed for cool-
ing and resting the horses, and the total time occupied
in running the twenty miles was 2h. 41m. 40s., or a
little less than eight miles per hour. A good hack or
livery horse would do this, and show few signs of
having been driven. It may be said that this is an
extreme case ; very true, but having shown that our
theory is correct in this case, may we not properly
claim that something more than simple assertion is
necessary to establish its unsoundness, in cases where
the speed is indeed less, but the distance greater. But
246 THE MORGAN HORSE.
we need not rest the question here, there are striking
illustrations of the soundness of our theory ; that the
distance and time in which it must be accomplished
being given, every portion of the distance should be
accomplished in a corresponding proportion of the
time, nights and the necessary time for giving one
feed at noon being of course excepted.
The truck horses in the cities are worked all day
and every day, in rain or sunshine, yet how much
better their condition, and how much longer they last,
than the city livery horses. The latter are driven but
a small portion of their time, but are driven at a high
speed. The stage-driver who rushes his team over
one half the road, and walks them over the remainder,
will never make "good time," for his team cannot
make up by high speed the time he has idled away on
the road, or at his stopping places, and the appearance
of his horses will bear ample evidence that the attempt
to do so has been injurious.
The great art of driving horses long distances at
good speed without injury, consists in keeping them
steady at a given pace without fretting or worrying
them, restraining them when inclined to go too fast,
urging them when necessary, and doing either without
annoying them. Other things being equal, the horse
who does his work in a quiet steady way, will last
much longer than the one which frets and is restless.
If your horse is high tempered, and inclined to
travel faster than you think best for him, you cannot
take too much pains in starting him easily and quietly.
If he takes hold of the bit and is inclined to push off
at too high speed, keep a firm but steady pull on the
FEEDING AND DRIVING. 247
bit, but you must rely principally upon the voice to
quiet him. Speak to him in a calm, gentle and sooth-
ing tone, and you will be surprised at the effect it will
have upon him There are but few horses which in a
short time will not settle quietly into a walk in the
course of half an hour, under mild and soothing treat-
ment. If your horse is a little dull, and needs urging,
drive him with a constant, though gentle pressure upon
the bit. When he needs urging, speak to him in a
tone that he will not fail to hear, and enforce instant
and prompt obedience with the whip. Be careful not
to urge him by speaking to him when you do not
intend to insist upon his paying attention to you.
Never use the whip for any other purpose than to
punish the horse for not minding you. Nothing will
sooner perfect a horse in dulness and stupidity than
constant tapping with the whip, and constant urging
with the voice ; he soon gets so accustomed to both
that he cares nothing for either, and the most vigorous
twitching of the reins — the most authoritative com-
mands, and the most industrious though mild applica-
tions of the whip, result in nothing but a slight frisk
of the tail or a gentle toss of the head. Although the
greatest art in driving upon the road consists in driv-
ing at the required speed without fretting the horse,
the knowledge of the proper time to urge or to restrain
him is almost equally indispensable. This, of course,
vail depend upon the smoothness of the road, the
ascent or descent of the ground, and the weight car-
ried ; much will depend upon the animal.
Owing to difference in form and gait, some horses
that climb hills with difficult v can descend them rap-
248 THE MORGAN HORSE.
idly and easily, and again others prefer to walk where-
ever the ground descends rapidly, but will trot up
ordinary hills to the very crest with little apparent
effort. This difference in the form and gait of the
horse should be constantly borne in mind, and he
should be allowed to go slowly where it is evidently
difficult for him to move fast. As a general rule, the
horse should be made to walk wherever the ground
ascends or descends rapidly. If driven rapidly up
steep hills, he is almost exhausted when he reaches
the top ; and if driven rapidly down, then, it is dan-
gerous to the passengers, because his footing is insecure,
and he is liable to fall ; and if the practice be continued,
it will break up the stoutest fore limbs, by the force
with which the feet come upon the ground.
Where the surface of the road is smooth, and the
ground slightly descending, the horse should be driven
at a tolerably rapid rate, especially if he has a heavy
load, for upon this ground the load, whether great or
small, will move easily, and when the load is heavy the
horse will be compelled to walk up most of the rising
ground. When the load is light, and the speed eight
miles per hour or more, the horse should be kept at a
moderate trot on ascending ground, except up steep
hills, for it will distress him less to trot over ground
slightly ascending than to walk over such ground, and
make up the time by increased speed on the level and
descend ins - .
o
When the road is rough and uneven, endeavor to
shun rough spots. To do this well, keep constant and
careful watch of the track, and avoid the bad spots by
turning a little before you get up to them, instead of
FEEDING AND DRIVING. 249
waiting until you are close upon them, and then pull
your horse out of the road with a sudden jerk, that
irritates and frets him, and injures his mouth. It is
better to take the jolt, unless it is dangerous, than to
do this. After your horse has once become accustomed
to turning out for the bad spots, it will be very little
trouble to do it, and it will be much easier both for
the horse and the passengers.
Did our space permit, we should like to say much
more upon this subject, as it is one in which we take
much interest ; but must content ourselves with the
imperfect directions above given, repeating the remark
we made at the commencement of this chapter, that
however full and correct the directions, no one can
learn to drive without practice, any more than he can
learn to write simply by reading an able treatise on
penmanship.
11*
CHAPTER XIV.
HINTS TO PURCHASERS OF MORGAN OR OTHER HORSES.
It is not to be supposed that any descriptions can
be written, or any rules laid down, that will give the
keen, discriminating eye, the fine perceptions with
regard to form and motion, the rapid, searching glance
at defects, that the true and practiced horseman seems
to realize at the first view, enabling him to form a
tolerably correct judgment of the value of an animal
almost as soon as he sees it ; some suggestions, however,
can be made which will aid ordinary purchasers.
Before a man attempts to purchase a horse, he should
first determine for himself what kind of horse he re-
quires, both as to size and general qualities, since the
value of the horse to his owner depends very much
on his adaptation to the kind of business required of
him. As to size, we think all experience shows that
medium size is the best for ordinary use ; such horses
we shall find possessed of the most compact forms, the
most rugged constitutions, the most nimble, easy, and
graceful motions. Though it is very true that a good
horse may have a bad color, yet as a bad color is to
some, perhaps most buyers, a serious objection, such
should be avoided. White, light gray, light sorrel,
cream-colored, and spotted, are the most objectionable,
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HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 251
and should be avoided. Bay, chestnut, black, and
dark brown, are almost universally esteemed the best,
and horses of these colors are worth more in every
market than horses of the colors before named.
When the purchaser is unaccustomed to horses, we
would advise him, after having determined what kind
of a horse he wants, to engasre some one to assist him
who has had more experience, especially if he is about
to purchase of a stranger, for in the latter case he will
not only be liable to misjudge as to the justness of the
animal's proportions, but also as to his soundness and
vices, for a vast many faults and defects may by artful
jockeys be concealed from the inexperienced eye, and
sometimes even from the closest and most intelligent
examination.
If, however, the purchaser can avail himself of no
such assistance, or chooses to trust to his own judgment,
he cannot be too cautious or circumspect. When you
enter the stable, observe carefully the way the owner
approaches his horse ; if, as soon as he comes within
hearing, he speaks to him in a loud, sharp voice, that
makes the horse spring up in his stall as if frightened,
look out for some defect in his limbs. If much lame,
it will be seen when he is moved, but if it is very
slight, you may not then notice it. If he comes up to
the horse very carefully, and seems a little cautious
about going into the stall where he is, you may justly
suspect he is not perfectly kind and pleasant-tempered.
If he approaches the horse in an easy, careless, but
quiet way, you may reasonably expect that the horse
has no such vices to hide, and you will not suspect him
of lameness, though it should not prevent your watch-
252 THE MORGAN HORSE.
ing carefully every motion of his limbs to see if you
can detect it. Mark how the hor^e stands, how he is
hitched, and what kind of a halter he has on. If he
stands with one of his fore-feet far in advance of the
other, look out for founder. If he is fastened with
more than ordinary care, see if you can observe any
signs of his having attempted to untie his halter with
his teeth. If the halter is fastened very tight round
the throat, he may have a trick of slipping it off, or he
may be a cribber. A large strap, buckled close round
the throat, will often prevent cribbing.
Youatt considers crib-biting unsoundness ; and it is,
at all events, a very bad habit, that materially injures
the sale of a horse. If the manger shows signs of
being bitten by the horse, do not purchase the animal
until you have seen him eat. The teeth of an old
"cribber" almost invariably show signs of this habit,
being much worn on the outer edge, but in young
horses it will not always be noticed. When the horse
is turned out of his stall and faces the light, observe
whether he shuns it, and partially closes his eyes; if so,
his eyes are weak ; if, on the contrary, he looks boldly
about, with a bright and lively expression, his eyes
are not only good, but you may infer that he is both
spirited and tractable. Examine the head carefully.
If it is thoroughly good, light, lean, and graceful, with
tapering, sharp-pointed ears, ever moving and restless,
the eyes animated and prominent, the forehead broad,
the muzzle firm, the nostrils large, and the whole well
set upon the neck, you may be pretty sure that it be-
longs to a good horse.
If the eye is not bright and lively, it should be
HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 253
carefully examined, especially if the animal is from the
Western or Southern States, where diseases of the eyes
are more common than at the North and East. Some-
times the eye will look very natural, and the horse
appear bright and well, yet be perfectly blind. If the
horse is entirely blind you may easily detect it, for
though some horses move about very easily and hand-
ily when perfectly blind, you will soon notice the
defect, if you watch him and suffer him to move about
freely. If you are suspicious that, although not en-
tirely blind, his sight is defective, you may determine
it by passing some small object like a stalk of hay
rapidly before the eye, and at a short distance from it,
taking care that the substance be not large enough to
create any perceptible motion of the atmosphere, for a
blind horse will wink at the least unnatural current
of air.
The general appearance of the head is a pretty sure
index of the age of the animal, and the inexperienced
buyer will do well to rely as much upon this general
appearance, as upon the appearance of the teeth ; for
with a saw and a firing iron, old teeth may be made
to resemble so closely those of a young horse, as to
deceive even pretty good judges. In the old horse
the eyes are usually a little sunken, and the hollows-
over the eyes are deepened, the lips are less firm and
close, nd the mouth shows the long use of the bit.
If the head is satisfactory, next examine the legs,
ee that they are not too long, are wide, flat, bony, and
free from flesh below the knees and hocks. When
the muscles are well developed, and stand well out
from the bone, and are free from any fat or meat, they
254 THE MORGAN HORSE.
can be distinctly traced by the eye through the skin.
See that the horse stands squarely and equally upon
them, that they are neither stretched too far apart nor
gathered too much under him. Examine closely
whether there be any unnatural enlargements or
bunches on either leg. If none can be detected by the
eye, then pass the half-closed hand carefully down
each one, pressing the leg moderately, to determine
whether there are any bunches or scars concealed by
the hair.
Look carefully at the hocks for spavins, curbs or
thorough pin, for although the latter do not constitute
unsoundness, yet they are objectionable. Pass the
hand carefully down the back sinews to detect any
unevenness in the muscle. If any little bunches are
found, or the cord is anywhere enlarged, examine care-
fully for any scar that may indicate the injury was an
external one. If there are no signs of any such injury,
and especially if the muscle at this point feels sore,
reject the animal. The back sinews have been strained,
if not ruptured, and there is little chance that he will
ever be able to endure hard service. Search for
bunches on the inside of the fetlocks ; if you find them,
or scars, you will attribute them to the horse's cutting.
If the scars are old, and the horse being in very high
flesh, yet travels very close, it will be wise to reject
him, for in ordinary flesh he will be likely to cut, and
this is one of the most unpleasant defects in the horse,
and one that it is very difficult to remedy. Press the
hand closely and carefully around the pastern, for ring-
bone, or clingfasts, that are just commencing to form,
will be detected more easily by the hand than the eye ;
HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 255
this is the more important, as ringbone is one of the
worst kinds of unsoundness, and the horse may not at
all times, and in all instances, be sufficiently lame to
enable the buyer to detect it.
The knees are often too carelessly examined. It is
not enough that there is no trembling of the joint, that
it shuts back well, and is well shaped. If there are
any bunches, hard or soft, or any scars in front, it is a
pretty sure sign that the horse is a stumbler, and is
unsafe. Just below the knees and upon the inside of
the leg look for splints ; if small and removed from the
joint, they may in no way affect the usefulness of the
animal, but they are unsightly and objectionable.
The feet require the closest scrutiny. Eeject horses
that have split or flat hoofs, as they will be fit only
for slow work. Where the feet are high and narrow
at the heels, it is a serious objection, as such feet are
very liable to founder and other diseases. The legs
and feet proving satisfactory thus far, take a look at
the body. If the ribs are round, the back short, and
his wind good, little more need be required.
To determine the soundness of the wind is some-
times difficult, especially if the horse is in high condi-
tion and has been dieted and medicated with the view
of concealing some defect in it. The best way to de-
termine this is to make him trot briskly about one
hundred rods, and as soon as he has done this let him
stand perfectly still and watch closely his breathing.
If he breathes easily, and without any apparent effort,
and especially if as soon as he stops, he draws one or
two long breaths that fill the lungs to their utmost
capacity without any appearance of distress, his wind
256 THE MORGAN HORSE.
may be pronounced good ; but if there is the least
evidence of painful respiration, or catching for breath,
something is wrong, and the animal should be rejected.
Heaves, or broken-wind, is a common disease at the
East, but at the West it is comparatively very rare ;
hence the purchaser will be more on his guard to detect
the disease in a horse raised at the East than in one
raised at the West.
While the horse is moving, notice carefully his ac-
tion, and to do this take such a position that he can
move by you on level ground, and at a sufficient dis-
tance from you to give a good view of him. Notice
particularly the action of the forelegs, see that the joint
at the shoulder plays freely, that the feet are not raised
too high, that he reaches out boldly in his step with
his forelegs, and throws his weight freely upon them.
If he does this, you may be pretty sure the feet are
sound and good, and the shoulders unhurt. On the
contrary, if the horse does not carry his feet well for-
ward, but takes a short, mincing step, and puts down
his feet cautiously, they are unsound ; and if the legs
seem stiff, and tied up at the shoulders, he is chest-
foundered. These things should be carefully observed
when the horse is first moved, for if he is but a little
stiff in his shoulders, the stiffness generally disappears
entirely after a little exercise.
After having carefully noticed these things, and also
his general style and appearance, take such a position
that you can watch the movement of his feet as he
comes directly towards you and goes directly from
you ; see that he carries forward his feet in a straight
line, and that he does not travel too close or too wide,
HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 257
for if very close lie will be apt to cut or interfere, and
if too wide, his gait will be labored and awkward.
While the horse is moving, see if he hesitates to
turn short and quick ; if he does, and appears in the
least stiff in the back, you may conclude that he has
been strained there, and a horse that has been once
severely strained in his back, rarely, if ever, fully
recovers, and is unfit for any kind of business ; but
if the back is such as we have described, there will be
little danger of this complaint.
These defects, at which we have glanced, by no
means comprise all the diseases or defects of the horse,
nor are the methods we have pointed out in all cases
the only ones. We have aimed only to glance at the
most serious and ordinary defects, and point out the
simplest means of detecting them. Some quite com-
mon defects we have not noticed, as, for instance,
string-halt. This is not considered unsoundness in
ordinary circumstances, and where it is so bad as to
become seriously objectionable, it cannot fail to be
noticed hj the most careless observer. To some, this
kind of examination may seem tedious and laborious,
and to the inexperienced horseman it may be so ; but
the horseman of taste, with a practiced eye, will deter-
mine the freedom of an animal from the objections we
have referred to, in a small fraction of the time it has
taken us to describe them. We have said nothing
upon those subjects that are merely matters of taste,
as to enter into a 'discussion of them would occupy
more space than we could devote to it.
One wishes a horse that shall have a bold, resolute
style of action, and a high temper, that prompts him
258 THE MORGAN HORSE.
to keep up a constant and heavy pull upon the reins.
Another wishes a horse of less spirit, with a quiet,
pleasant temper, and a mouth that only feels the bit,
that is never restless, never pulls, and so gentle that
his wife and children can manage him. Yet he does
not want a dull, stupid animal ; on the contrary, one
that is bright and lively, and that when gently urged
will move off at a lively pace.
One wants a horse that is round and smooth, with
soft hair, a beautiful color, and a proud, showy style,
that will attract the admiration of his neighbors, but
cares little about its speed upon the road, or its powers
of endurance. While his next door neighbor cares far
less for the showy style and the beautiful color, and
values his horse solely on account of his useful quali-
ties. In short, no rules can be laid down that will
determine the excellence of the animal in these respects,
as so much depends upon the precise service which is
demanded of him, and the taste of the purchaser.
Although our people differ much in their opinion
as to the color, style of movement, &c, of their buggy
horses, yet the anxiety to own a free, nimble driver, is
nearly universal, and might almost be styled a national
characteristic.
But the passion for horses is co-extensive with man's
acquaintance with them, and is confined to no nation,
no portion of the human family ; indeed, there are com-
paratively few persons who take no interest in his his-
tory, no pleasure in training or using him.
Other animals may be as useful to man, but they
do not so lay hold of human affections and sympathies.
He is at once his companion and servant in his long
HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 259
and weary journeys. With the same patience and
unflinching courage, he carries his rider safely over
the scorching sands of the desert, or treads with care-
ful step the icy footpaths of the mountains. He waits
with silent patience his master's pleasure, and moves
only at his bidding. Heat and cold do not shake his
courage, hunger and thirst do not drive him to rebel-
lion. The soothing sound of nis master's voice stills
his restlessness when he wishes him to be quiet, and
the cheering, encouraging tones of the same voice
rouse him to the noblest efforts to do his will.
CHAPTEB XV.
The following pedigrees and description of stallions,
it is hardly necessary to say, comprise only a small
portion of the total number that have been and are
now bred from. But though thus incomplete, we be-
lieve the list comprises all the grandsons of the Justin
Morgan, of any note. Of some of these we have been
able to learn but little, though we have spared no
pains to obtain as full and reliable a history and de-
scription of them as possible. The difficulty of col-
lecting such facts, scattered over a wide extent of
country, rarely published, and often unchronicled, save
in the memories of individuals, can never be fully un-
derstood, unless by those who have been engaged in
some similar undertaking. Although we have made
every exertion to render these pedigrees and descrip-
tions reliable, and believe they will prove in the main
correct, yet there are so many ways in which errors
may creep in, and so many causes of confusion, that
we dare not assert that they are perfectly accurate.
The two most fruitful causes of error and confusion
are, the use of some common name to designate differ-
ent animals; and second, the frequent changes that
have been made in the name of the same animal.
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PEDIGREES. 261
Thus there seems to be no end to the young Black
Hawks, young Bulrushes, and other similar names.
There seems to be a perfect mania for names that have
been distinguished, as if it in some way enhanced the
value of the animal. Again, some animals seem to
have changed names as often as they changed owners,
and even some that were always owned by one person
are yet known by several different names. The Royal
Morgan is known in Maine as Morgan Rattler ; in
some parts of Vermont, as the Crane horse ; and in
others, as the Steele horse ; and by some as the Cham-
berlain colt; many persons who know him under one
of these names never heard of either of the others.
Where we have described more than one animal of
the same name, we have numbered them in the order
in which they were foaled. Thus we have "Green
Mountain," and " Green Mountain second." The form-
er sired by "Sherman," and the latter by "Gifford."
Many persons who know the latter, never heard of
the former ; and hence the necessity of distinguishing
them as we have done.
The height and weight is not always the result of
actual measurement, and consequently will not be in
all cases perfectly correct. Where two estimates have
been given us of the height or weight of the same ani-
mal, we have invariably adopted the lowest, deeming
it better to err in this direction than to overstate the
size. We shall feel obliged to any one who will inform
us of any mistakes they may discover, and should a
second edition be called for, we shall be most happy
to correct them.
262 THE MORGAN HORSE.
ASHUELOT MORGAN
Was foaled in June, 1845, the property of Ezekiel Flint, of "Win-
chester, N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam formerly owned
in Superior, C. E., and sired by Eagle. Ashuelot Morgan is a
chestnut, with silver-colored mane and tail, both hind feet white up
to the fetlock. He is 16 hands high, and weighs 1,315 lbs.
Although very large, he is compact, moves in good style, has
excellent action for a horse of his size, and is a favorite parade
horse. In 1855 he received the first premium of the New Hamp-
shire State Agricultural Society. He is now owned by Uberto
Bowen, Esq., of Richmond, N. H.
ALLEN HORSE
Was bred by Pliny Allen, of Lyme, N. H. Sired by Bulrush,
g sire, Justin Morgan. Color, blood bay, 15 hands high, weight,
1,000 lbs. His reputation as a stock horse is good. He is now
owned by Jonathan Currier, of Hanover, N. H.
ALBAN HORSE
Was foaled in September, 1839, the property of Colonel John
Hackett, of Hancock, Vt. Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gifford,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a gray,
sired by Bliss horse. His color is gray, spotted with chestnut and
bay, is 14i hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. He is a good horse ;
his stock come to maturity at an early age, and sell well. When
four months old, Col. Hackett sold him to Wm. Alban, of Ran-
dolph, Vt. Mr. Alban kept him till he was seven years old, and
sold him to Mr. Skinner, of Royalton, Vt. Mr. Skinner sold him
to Lewis Gilman, of Bradford, Vt., and he to Leonard Kibbel, of
the same place, who now ownes him.
ANDREWS HORSE
Was foaled in 1849, the property of William R. Andrews, of
Derby, Vt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, 14 hands high, sired by Woodbury.
Andrews horse is a dark bay, 14J hands high, weighs 1,000 lbs.,
PEDIGREES. 263
and is a good moving horse. He is still owned by Mr. Andrews,
at Derby, Yt.
AMERICAN EAGLE
Was foaled May 16th, 1852, the property of Joshua Saunderson,
of Petersham, Mass. Sired by Black Morgan, g sire, Morgan Em-
pire, g g sire, Green Mountain 2d, g g g sire, Gifford, g g g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Jet black, 15| hands
high, weighs 1,070 lbs. Good style and action, spirited and grace-
ful. Now owned by Joshua Saunderson, Pittsfield, Mass. Dam
said to be an English mare, from a horse imported into Greenfield,
Mass.
ANDREW JACKSON
Was foaled June 18th, 1852. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sher-
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Jenkins, who took the
first premium at the State Fair, R. I., in 1855. Andrew Jackson is
jet black, and weighs 1,050 lbs. He is a well-shaped and fine mov-
ing horse. He received a premium at the United States Fair in
Boston, 1855, also at the Rhode Island State Fair, and Worcester
Co. Fair, Mass. This horse is now owned by Harrison Bacon, of
Barre, Mass.
ADDISON
Was foaled in 1851, the property of John Jackson, of Brandon, Yt.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam, celebrated Hamilton mare, Ruby, purchased by Mr. Jackson
when four years old for $150.
Addison is 16 hands high, weighs 1,175 lbs., is jet black, with
heavy mane and tail, high, bold style and good movement for a horse
of his size. Now owned by Z. Nearing, of Orwell, Yt. He received
the first premium in his class at the Fair of the Yermont State Agri-
cultural Society in 1855.
ARABIAN MORGAN
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Epaphro Seymour, of Brat-
tleborough. Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, Old Jenny, sired by Sherman, g dam, by Arab, a
thorough-bred Arabian horse, owned by Col. Jonas Blake, of Brat-
264 THE MORGAN HORSE.
tleborough, Vt. This colt is chestnut, and exhibits in a high degree
the valuable qualities of the Morgan and Arabian. He is now owned
by Horatio Seymour, Jr., and Dr. M. M. Seymour in Buffalo, Erie
County, N. Y.
BULRUSH
Was foaled in 1812 or 1813, the property of Moses Belknap, sired
by Justin Morgan. See Chapter VII.
BULRUSH MORGAN
Was foaled in 1845, the property of Alvin Hovey, of Brookfield,
Yt. Sired by Clarke horse, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, sired by Morgan Eagle. Color dark bay, is 15 hands
high, and weighs 1,060 lbs. He is a close-knit and well-formed
horse, with good limbs and feet. His style of movement is good,
and his temper excellent. At the Vermont State Fair in 1855, he
received the second premium in his class.
BLACK HAWK
Was foaled in 1833, the property of Wingate Twombly, of
Greenland (formerly of Durham), N. H. Sired by Sherman, g
sire, Justin Morgan. His dam was raised in New Brunswick, and
is described as a half-blood English mare, a very fine animal,
black, and a fast trotter. When four years old, Black Hawk was
purchased by Benj. Thurston, of Lowell, Mass., for a family horse,
and kept for that purpose until 1844, when he was purchased by
David Hill, Esq., of Bridport, Vermont, by whom he is now owned.
Celebrated horses, like great men, must have their enemies, and
this horse has had his. A few years since a rumor was circulated
that he was not sired by Sherman, but by a French horse called
Paddy. The only foundation for such a report seems to have been
the resemblance between the two horses in color, both being black.
Mr. Hill might well have taken no notice of this rumor, as he had
produced the affidavit of the owner of Sherman, in 1832, testifying
that Sherman was coupled with the dam of Black Hawk that sea-
son, and that the following season he received payment for the
same. The testimony of Mr. Bellows being unimpeached, the
rumor might seem amply refuted and silenced, but Mr. Hill did not
choose to rely solely on this affidavit. He obtained affidavits or
PEDIGREES. 265
letters from the breeder and others who had every opportunity of
knowing the facts, fully and amply sustaining the affidavit of Mr.
Bellows. These papers were published, and have pretty effectually
settled the question. The parties who first circulated the above
rumor could have had little or no acquaintance with him or his
stock, for with the exception of color, he bears a strong resemblance
in most particulars to the family of which he is a member. In
size, compactness, style of action, great muscular development,
temperament, and endurance, he exhibits their distinguishing traits
in a high degree. His stock, though generally larger, being from
larger dams, exhibit much the same characteristics, and their color
when not black, is almost without exception bay or chestnut, the
latter color being quite common. Many of his colts have the same
marks in the face and upon the feet that belong to Sherman and his
dam. We never saw a gray, a white, or a cream-colored horse from
him.
Black Hawk is a little under fifteen hands high, and weighs about
ten hundred pounds. His compact, symmetrical, and muscular form,
and nervous, elastic style of action, give unmistakable evidence of
the speed and endurance he has shown upou the turf and road ; and
although now twenty-three years old, his eye has lost none of its
brightness, his health is still excellent, and his movements still
graceful and energetic. One of the chief excellencies of Black
Hawk, and one which he possesses in a remarkable degree, is the
uniformity with which he stamps upon his offspring his own distin-
guishing characteristics. For notice of his performances, see Chap-
ter X. Few colts were sired by him previous to 1844, when he
became the property of David Hill, and since that time he has been
constantly kept at that gentleman's stable, in Bridport, Yt.
BAY MORGAN
Was foaled in 1849, in East Berkshire, Yt. Sired by Nimrod.
Dam, sired by Dubois Horse. His color is dark bay, without
marks. He is owned by Joseph Smith, of East Berkshire.
BAILEY HORSE
Was foaled in 1835, the property of Abner Bailey, of Newbury,
Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, thickset
12
266 THE MOKGAN HORSE.
Dutch mare. The Bailey horse was a chestnut, 15 hands high,
weighed 1,100 lbs, and had one white hind foot.
BARKER HORSE
Was foaled in 1833, the property of Mr. Cobb, of Nelson, N. IT.
Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, sired by
Dioniede, he by Imported Diomede. The Barker Horse was 15|
hands high, and weighed 1,100 lbs , color chestnut, with white stripe
in the face like his sire, whom he closely resembled His style and
action were unsurpassed, and lie was a very fine roadster. He was
kept most of the time in Merrimac County, N H., and vicinity
Mr. Barker kept him near home until 1853, after which Jesse John-
son and Brothers kept him at Bradford, Vt., and Concord, N. EL,
and vicinity, until he died, July, 1855, still the property of Mr.
Barker.
BARTHOLOMEW HORSE
Was foaled in 1826, the property of Moses Bartholomew, of Vershire,
Vt., who raised and kept him till he died. Weight, 1,050 lbs., 15
hands high, color dapple bay. He had abundance of both speed
and action, and was a fast trotter. Sired by Bulrush, g sire,
Justin Morgan.
k o'
BONAPARTE
Was foaled in 1836, the property of Johnson and Brothers, of Brad-
ford, Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by
Napoleon Bonaparte. Was 14| hands high, and weighed 950 lbs.,
very compact, close built, a fast driver and strong goer. He re-
sembled his sire very much. P. A. Weir, of Walpole, N. II., pur-
chased him in 1845, and took him to that place.
BLACK HAWK CHIEF
Was foaled in 1849, the property of D. Edgar Hill, of Bridport, Vt.,
by whom he is still owned. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sher-
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Young Hamiltonian,
formerly owned by Allen Smith, of Addison, Vt., Young Hamil-
tonian by Bishop's Hamiltonian, and he by Imported Messenger.
Dam of Young Hamiltonian by Leonidas, g dam by Bellfounder.
PEDIGREES. 267
Grand dam of Black Hawk Chief, sired by Imported Matchem,
owned by J. S. Larrabee, of Shoreliam, Yt, height 15J hands,
weight 1,034, color raven black. This horse received the first
premium at the New York State Fair in 1853, and also the first
at the Adclison County, Yt., Fair, in 1855. He is full brother to
Sherman Black Hawk. He is spirited, but exceedingly gentle and
tractable. Whole figure good. Head and neck beautiful. Style
and action fine. Time, 2.48.
BLACK HAWK ECLIPSE
Was foaled in 1853, the property of Jesse Johnson and Brothers,
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Csesar, g g
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a Black Hawk.
He is 14 hands high, weighs 975 lbs. ; color black, with a white stripe
in the face. Sold and gone to South Carolina. An excellent
moving horse, very clean, light head, general style and action good.
BLACK HAWK MORGAN
Was foaled in 1852, the property of J. Johnson and Brothers, of
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Cassar,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Black
Hawk. He is 15 hands high, weighs 950 lbs. ; color, chestnut.
BURBA NK HORSE
SEE BARKER HOZiSE.
BLISS HORSE.
Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by Justin
Morgan, and known as the Charles Cutter mare, of Royalton, Yt.
BUCHANAN HORSE
Was foaled in 1836, the property of Jeremiah Boyington, of New-
bury, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired
by Bulrush. Buchanan was bay color, weighed 1,000 lbs. When
eight years old he was sold and taken to New Brunswick.
268 THE MORGAN HORSE.
BOSTON TIGER
Was foaled in 1825 or '26, the property of H. H. Kimball, of
Whitefield, N. H. Sired by Cock of the Rock, g sire, Sher-
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a gray, owned by H. H.
Kimball. Tiger was 15 hands high, weighed 1,050 lbs. ; roan color,
fine form and good action.
When five years old he was purchased by Joseph Sumner, Esq.,
of Charlestown, N. H. Mr. Sumner kept him several years, but
becoming cross, he disposed of him, and he was put into a team in
Boston or Medford, where, in 1845, he was found and purchased by
David Batchelder, of Haverhill, N. H., who kept him three years
and sold him to Gen. Dolif, of East Wentworth> N. H., whose
property he continued till his death in 1848.
BIRD HORSE
Was foaled in 1851. Sired by the Bird horse, formerly owned
by Joel Huntington and William Gay, and kept in Rochester and
Hancock, Vt., g sire, Wolcott Morgan, g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Gifford. Height;
14s hands, weight, 985 lbs. ; color, dapple bay, black mane, tail and
legs, with very fine action. Now owned by A. Seymour, of West
Randolph, Vt.
BUSSORAH
Was foaled in 1849, the property of Keyes Coburn, of Springport,
Cayuga Co., N. Y. Sired by Gen. Gifford, g sire Gifford, g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam. Lady Howland, by
imported Arabian Bussorah, g dam, by imported Messenger. 15^
hands high; weight, 1,075 lbs. ; color, bright bay. Now owned by
B. J. Bidwell, of Tecumseh, Mich., and is a good horse.
BACHELDER HORSE
Was foaled the property of Joseph Bachelder, of Danville, Vt.,
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a fast trotting
gray mare, half French. This horse was of dapple gray color, and
14J hands high. Though not as stylish as some of Sherman's colts,
lie was a spirited and fast traveller. Left some excellent stock.
PEDIGEEE3. 269
BLANCHARD HORSE
Was foaled the property of Joseph Tilton, of Danville, Vermont.
His dam was a light bay, sired by Justin Morgan. Blanchard was
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Was of chestnut color,
and weighed 1,000 lbs. He was a close-made, thick-set horse, but
his stock were not as noted for action as most of Sherman's colts.
When young he was taken to New Hampshire, and afterwards to
Maine. At an advanced age he was brought back to St. Johnsbury,
Vt., where he died.
BROCK HORSE
Was foaled in 1836, the property of Capt. William Brock, of New-
bury, Yt. Sired by Parks horse, g sire, Green Mountain 1st, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Shark. He was
sold by Mr. Brock to Peter Johns, of Nashua, N. H. He
weighed 900, was blood bay color, had a fine figure and excellent
action, and was an uncommonly showy horse. Not fast.
BLACK HAWK NAPOLEON
Was foaled the 13th of May, 1852, the property of A. O. Palmer,
of Charlotte, Vermont. Sired by Black Hawk Prophet, g sire,
Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam,
of Messenger stock. This horse is 16 hands high, weighs about
1,100 lbs., and is of jet black color.
He received the highest premium in his class at the Vermont
State Fair. 1855. A well-shaped, good-moving horse, Still owned
by Mr. Palmer.
BAXTER HORSE
Was foaled in June, 1852, the property of Portus Baxter, of
Derby, Yt. Sired by colt of Black Hawk, g sire, Black Hawk,
g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Royal
Morgan. He is 15J hands high, weighs 1.050 lbs., with a very dark
brown color, and white stripe in the face. Has a beautiful ear
fine shoulders and withers, with good hips and back. His limbs are
excellent. Promises to be fast. Now owned by Portus Baxter,
of Strafford, Vt,
270 IE MORGAN HORSE.
BLACK HAWK PRINCE
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Mr. McKiuney, of Bridport,
Vt. Shed by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam by Young Sir Walter, sire of Moscow, and he by Sir
Walter. Prince is jet black, with small, white star in the face, 16
bands high, and weighs 1,150 lbs.
McKiuney sold him to Messrs. Gale & Wright, in April, 1854.
Col. Abram Foot, of Cornwall, Vt., afterwards purchased and now
owns him. He is a very fine horse, with abundance of spirit, excel-
lent action, and a hardy constitution.
BROWN MORGAN
Was foaled June 11, 1850. Sired by Morgan Sultan, g sire, Gifford,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sher-
man King, g dam by Justin Morgan.
BLACK MORGAN
Was foaled 28th July, 1845, the property of Sylvanus H. Gates, of
Petersham, Mass. Sired by Gates Horse, g sire, Green Mountain 2d,
g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam raised in Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d.
When three years old, Black Morgan was purchased by Francis
Twichell, of Petersham, Mass., who kept him till he died, May,
1854. He received the fourth premium at the National Fair in
Springfield, 1853.
BAT STATE MORGAN 1st
Was foaled May 9, 1849, the property of Joshua Saunderson, of
Pittsfield, Mass. Sired by Young Green Mountain, g sire, Green
Mountain 2d, g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Color, bright bay, 15 hands high ; weight, 1.060
lbs., and is a good horse. Now owned by Mr. Saunderson at Pitts-
field.
BAY STATE MORGAN 2d
Was foaled the property of S. B. Aiken, Hardwicke, Mass.
Sired by Young Green Mountain, g sire, Green Mountain 2d, g g
sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan.
PEDIGEEES. 271
Dark bay, 16| hands high, and weighs 1,150 lbs. He is now owned
by Forrester B. Aiken, of Hardwicke, Mass. Good withers, good
neck, good figure, and a good horse.
BLACK LION"
Was foaled the property of Chester Pratt, Cornwall, Vt. Sired by
Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Bain,
sired by Liberty.
BILLY ROOT, OR COMET,
Was foaled in 1829, the property of Hezekiah Morton, of St. Johns-
bury, Vt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a
half French mare, sired by Justin Morgan. A fine driver, and
weighed 1,000 lbs.
Billy Root weighed 942 lbs ; color, dark chestnut, with a few
white hairs in the forehead, and a little white on the off hind
foot. The hair on his body was rather long, but soft and silky,
had but few long hairs on his legs and excellent feet. Eldad Root
purchased him in 1832 or '33. Mr. Root kept him in the State of
New York, we believe at Genesee Flats ; and he also kept him at
Lyndon, Vt., several years. When about ten years old he took him to
Highgate, Vt., where he remained four years. Mr. Root sold him
to Mr. Stevens, of St. Johnsburv, Vt. Mr. Stevens used him hard
one year, and sold him to Mr. Filer, of Burke, Vt., who kept him a
short time, and traded him to Eleazer Smith, of Haverhill, N. H.
Mr. Smith after a few months, traded him in the spring, back to
Mr. Filer, who took him to Springfield, Mass., in the summer or
fall of 1845, and disposed of him to a person who took him to
Warehouse Point. The same autumn he was ao:ain traded to a
man in Sharon, Conn. In the spring of 1847, (April 18th,) Messrs.
Bemis & Hoyt brought him back to Lyndon, where he was kept in
1847-'48-'49, at Royt's stable. In 1850, he was kept at Highgate,
and in 1851, at Lyndon, Vt. He died very suddenly April 25th,
1852. His death was supposed to be caused by the rupture of a
blood-vessel. He was a horse of extraordinary life, energy and
action. His stock are small, but have become widely and justly
celebrated for spirit, action, endurance, and docility.
272 THE MORGAN HORSE.
BENTON HORSE.
SEE COOS MORGAN.
BARDWELL HORSE.
SEE DEERFIELD MORGAN.
BLACK JACK
Was foaled June 5, 1849, the property of Charles Linsley, of
Middlebmy, Yt. Sired by Hacket Horse, g sire, Gifford, g g sire.
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Bay Flirt, bred near
Lancaster, Ohio, and sired by Medley, he by Little Medley, and he
by imported Medley, g dam, by Shepard's Consul, and he by Bond's
First Consul for further pedigree of Medley and Bond's First Consul
see American Stud Book. Black Jack is 15 hands high and
weighs 1,0 TO lbs. ; color, black chestnut, without marks ; is a com-
pact, enduring horse, a good traveller, and is perfectly sound. He is
now owned by G. L. Linsley, of Kankakee City, Illinois.
BLACK HAWK, Jr., 1st,
Was foaled in 1847, the property of Abraham F. Aburnethy, of
Cornwall, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, Howard mare, sired by a colt of Hamilton-
ian. He is 15 hands high, and weighs 1,000 lbs. Mr. Aburnethy
kept him till three years old, and sold him to Col. Abraham Foot,
of Cornwall, Yt., who kept him till August 1852, when he sold him
to Farnham & Foot, of Lockport, N. Y., for $1,500. He is still
owned in Lockport by Col. E. H. Foot. With a very fine figure
he possesses an excellent temper, is a pleasant driver and goes in
good style.
BLACK HAWK, Jr., 2d,
Was foaled June 20, 1849, the property of James S. Phelps, of
Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by a son of Giffords, g dam, by Young
Hamiitonian. He is jet black color, 16 hands high, and weighs 1050
lbs. His limbs are light but sinewy, free from long hairs, and any
sort of blemish. He has a bold, resolute style of action, and is now
the property of Mr. Phelps, at Burlington, Iowa.
PEDIGEEES. 273
CLARKE HORSE
"Was foaled in 1840 or '41, the property of Hall Cabot, of Chelsea,
Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by For-
tune, Fortune by Quicksilver, g dam by Justin Morgan. Height,
13| hands ; weight, 875 lbs. ; color, bright bay. One of the best
acting sons of Bulrush. A fine, spirited auimal. Went to Ohio.
COCK OF THE ROCK
"Was foaled the property of Oliver Bowers, of Danville, Yt.
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Barnum, Cock
of the Rock. He was a very light chestnut, with white face
below the eyes, 15 hands high, and weighed 1,100 lbs. His eye,
ear and head not so good, but general form, Morgan. He attracted
soing notice in New Hampshire and New Tork, in which States he
was kept. Mr. Bellows, of Lancaster, N. H., purchased him ol
Mr. Bowers, and sold him to Horatio Sargeant, of Springfield, Mass.,
at a high price. Was a bold, proud-looking and active horse, and
a fine animal. Was a fast trotter, and left some good stock.
COLBY HORSE
Was foaled the property of Mr. Colby, of Warner, N. H. Sired by
Barker horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan ; is 15
hands high, weighs 1,050, chestnut color, and a capital horse, with
fine action and good figure.
CHARLES SMITH HORSE
Was foaled the property of C. C. Smith, of Corinth, Yt., and now
owned by Leonard Avery, of same place. Sired by Young Bul-
rush, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Small size,
weight 900, dark chestnut color, and good action.
CRANE HORSE, OR STEELE HORSE.
See Royal Morgan.
CHILDS HORSE
Was foaled the property of Col. Levi Childs, of Derby, Yt. Sired
by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam,
a chestnut, 15 hands high, weighed 1,000, and sired by American
12*
274 THE MORGAN HOESE.
Eagle. Cliilds horse is a dark bay, 14J hands high, weighs about
975. Style and action very good. Now owned in Northampton,
Mass.
CHAMBERLAIN HORSE
Was foaled in 1843, the property of Lathrop Chamberlain, of
Brownington, Vt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, 15 hands high, weighed 950 lbs.,
and was sired by Olive Branch.
Chamberlain horse was a bay 14| hands high, and weighed about
900 lbs. His movement was excellent, and he was full of life and
spirit. He is now dead.
CARPENTER'S GRAY
Was foaled the property of Francis Drew, of Danville, Yt.
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, large gray, sired
by Black Prince. He was 14J hands high, weighed 1,050 lbs., and
had plenty of bone, muscle, spirit, and action. He took his name
from Danford Carpenter, of Danville, who owned him some time,
and sold him to go to Massachusetts.
CLIFTON
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Win. Bellows, Esq., of Walpole,
N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire, Wood-
bury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a chestnut, sired by Gifford,
g dam by Sherman. Clifton is 14i hands high, and weighs 960
pounds. His color is a bright chestnut. At three months old Mr.
Bellows sold him to Silas Hale, -of South Royalston, Mass. At
eighteen months old, Mr. Hale sold him to S. H. Edgerly, Esq., of
Manchester, N. H., who shortly after sold him to F. H. Leyford^
Esq., whose property he still remains. Clifton is a bold-looking,
active and muscular horse, and in many respects resembles his
celebrated sire.
CLEMENTS HORSE
Was foaled in 1826, the property of Mr. Clements, of Goshen,
Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was cele-
brated as a roadster, and descended from Imported Killdeer.
PEDIGEEE3. 275
Clements kept him till 1831, and then sold him to go to St. Law-
rence County, New York. He was kept several years in Malone
and vicinity, and was finally taken to Canada. His style and
action were very fine.
CHAMPLAIN
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Robins Battell, of Norfolk, Conn.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Full brother to Yermonter. Champlain is now owned by Battell &
Phelps, in Fon Du Lac County, Wisconsin, and is a very fine horse.
CHAMPION BLACK HAWK
Was foaled in 1849, the property of C. W. Fletcher, of Orwell,
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, by Cock of the Rock, g dam said to be out of a BuL
rush Morgan mare, by a Messenger Horse. Champion Black Hawk
is a dark red chestnut, 15J hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs.,
is compact and muscular, with beautiful ear and head. He has
taken the first prize at five State, and several County fairs.
Spirit, style and action excellent. In the fall of 1855 he trotted
two miles in 5 min. 45 sec. He is now owned by P. & L. Melendy,
Mount Healthy, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He was purchased by his
present owners in August, 1855, of W. H. & J. Ladd, Jefferson
County, Ohio.
COOS MORGAN
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Charles Benton, of New-
bury, Yt. Sired by Young Moscow. Dam was sired by Morgan
Robbin, g dam by Billy Root, g g dam by Justin Morgan. He is
a black chestnut, 15£ hands high, and weighs 1,045 lbs. He is
very gentle, and perfectly kind in any service. % Exceedingly well-
built, forward, and bold in style, though less nervous than some of
his kin. He is a favorite stock horse in the vicinity of Newbury.
He has been exhibited for a premium but once, when he received
one, at the Yermont State Fair, in 1853.
CHARLEY
Was foaled May 23, 1851, the property of Calvin Blodget, of
Waterbury, Yt. Sired by Gifibrd, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Jus-
276 THE MORGAN HORSE.
tin Morgan. Dam by Green Mountain 2d, g dam by Messenger.
Charley is a dark, dapple bay, 14-i bands bigb, and weighs a little
less than 1,000 lbs. He has no white hairs, on him ; mane and tail
lull and heavy, very compact, with good limbs and good action.
He is an excellent roadster.
CARLETON HORSE.
See Peters Morgan.
COMET.
See Billy Root.
COMET
Was foaled in 1846, the property of Jonas Flint, of St. Johns,
bury, Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, dark chestnut, known as Crane mare. Sired by
Royal Morgan, g dam by Hubbard horse, g g dam, known as the
Pierce mare. Comet is a chestnut, and weighs 1,050 lbs. He has
taken several premiums. One at the National Fair at Boston,
1855, and one at the New Hampshire State Fair ; also one in his
own county. He is now the property of Mr. Woods, of Hancock
N. H., and is an excellent horse, with plenty of life, and a spirited,
nervous style of action.
CHALLENGE
Was foaled June 3d, 1854, the property of Charles Linsley, Esq.,
of Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by "White Mountain Morgan, g
dam by Woodbury ; weight, 882 lbs. ; 151 hands high, black chestnut
color, with stripe in the face, and three white feet. He is now
owned by George L. Linsley, Kankakee, 111.
CLARKE HORSE.
See Whalebone.
DON JUAN
Was foaled in 1852, the property of C. M. Fletcher, of Orwell, Yt.
Sired by Champion Black Hawk, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire.
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Henry, sired by
PEDIGREES. 277
Birney Henry, g dam was of Messenger blood ; 16 hands high, and
weighs 1,210 lbs. ; color, very dark dapple bay, heavy, wavy
black mane and tail. When two years old he was entered for a
purse, at Burlington, Vt., which he won, trotting mile heats in
3 min. 10 sec. When three years old he trotted a half mile in
1 min. 22 sec. A fine horse, and still owned by Mr. Fletcher.
DAVIS HORSE
Was a Vermont horse, sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Mor-
gan ; height, 14J hands ; weight, 925 lbs. ; color, chestnut. Few
white hairs in face, and one white hind-foot. Action and style good.
DUBOIS HORSE
Was foaled in 1818. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan, color
bay ; moved in good style, and was fast ; weight, 940 pounds. He
was owned at one time in Burlington, "Vt.
DAVIS HORSE
Was foaled in 1852. Was sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan.
He was 15h hands high, and weighed 1,200 ; color, mahogany bay;
action and speed not remarkable, but enduring and hardy
DEERFIELD MORGAN
Was bred in Shelburne, Mass., and was sired by Green Mountain
2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire Justin Morgan.
He is a good acting, sharp-going horse.
EMPEROR
Was foaled in 1837, the property of Rufus H. Hyde, of Chelsea, Vt.,
who kept him three or four years and sold him. Sired by Bulrush,
g sire, Justin Morgan ; weight, 1,000 lbs. ; bright bay ; good figure,
but not remarkably good gait.
ETHAN ALLEN.
Was foaled in June, 1849, the property of J. W. Holcomb, of Ticon-
deroga, N. V. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, a medium size white mare of Messenger
273 THE MORGAN HORSE.
blood ; 15 hands high, and weighs about 1,000 lbs. ; is a beautiful
bay, with black mane and tail ; is perfectly sound and kind, very
tractable, and has an excellent temper and gait, either for the road
or the turf. It is claimed by his friends that he is the fastest trot-
ting stallion living, and the claim seems to be well founded. For
further notice of his performances, see Chapter X. He is now
owned by 0. S. Roe & Co., of Shoreham, Vt.
It has been reported that Ethan Allen was sired by Flying Mor-
gan, an excellent horse, and one which he, in some respects, resem-
bles. "We have made careful inquiry into all the circumstances of
the case, and we can see no reasonable ground to doubt his having
been sired by Black Hawk. Mr. Holcomb had bred two celebrated
animals, Black Hawk Maid and Red Legs, from the dam of Ethan
Allen by Black Hawk, and there can be no question that the mare
was coupled with Black Hawk in 1848. Flying Morgan was not
kept for stock that year, but for a driving horse, and we believe
was kept by chance one night at Ticonderoga. We believe that
this, with the resemblance in color and shape of the head, furnish
the chief grounds for the report.
ETHAN ALLEN 2d
Was foaled in 1850, the property of E. & T. Sprague, of East Ran-
dolph, Vt. Sired by Putnam horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Bam, a chestnut mare known as the Partridge
mare. Sired by Woodbury. He is 15 hands high, and weighs
1,000 lbs. Color, chestnut, with white stripe in his face. Great
muscular power, with good style and action. Now owned by B. F.
Parkhurst, of Randolph. His colts principally chestnut.
ENFIELD HORSE
Was foaled in 1824, in Enfield, Conn. Sired by Woodbury, g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was raised in Connecticut, and was of
the celebrated Janus stock.
Enfield remained in Connecticut until the winter of 1831, when his
owner drove him to Addison County, Vt., with a load of fresh cod-
fish. While on the road, he met with an accident that made him
lame for some time, and he was sold to Joshua Scott, of Middle-
PEDIGKEES. 279
bury. Mr. Scott kept him one year, and sold him to Austin John-
son. Mr. Johnson kept him two or three years, and sold him to go
to the State of Maine. Since that time we have been unable to
trace him.
Pie was a chestnut, 14| hands high, and weighed 975 lbs. He
was an excellent horse ; a fast driver, and full of courage and life.
ESTT HOESB
Was sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam sired by Romeo, owned by B. Pike. Height, 15| hands ;
weight, 1,000 lbs. ; color, black roan. Good style and fast ; but
never was trained. Was burned in a stable when five years old.
He was sire of the noted trotting mare, Lady Franklin.
FENTON HOESE
Was foaled in 1808, the property of Richard W. Fenton, of St.
Johnsbury, Yt. Sired by Justin Morgan.
He was of a blood bay color ; excellent in style and action, and
a very fine horse. See Chap. VII.
FLYING CLOUD 1st
Was foaled the property of Mr. Robinson, of New Bedford, Mass.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam by Andrew Jackson, of trotting celebrity ; was a black mare,
and weighed about 1,000 lbs.
Flying Cloud weighs about 1,000 lbs., and his color is black. He
is now on Long Island.
FLYING CLOUD 2d.
This Flying Cloud is now in Ohio ; was foaled the property of
Gustavus Wickes,of Ticonderoga, N.Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g
sire Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Magnum
Bonum.
This horse is black, and weighs 1, 050 pounds.
FLYING MORGAN.
Was foaled in 1843, the property of R. M. Adams, of Burlington, Vt.
Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, ggg
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Woodbury. Flying Forganis 14
280 THE MORGAN HORSE.
hands high, and weighs 900 lbs ; color, blood bay, with white hind
feet. When five years old he was sold to Dr. Win. Russell, of Mid-
dlebury, Vt., but Mr. Adams repurchased him the following year,
and has owned him ever since. He is a horse of a great deal ot
bottom and power ; trots perfectly square and fair ; goes smart ; is
perfectly sure for all he can do, and generally makes his best time
the last heat. From heating and over-work, his eyes have been in-
jured, and he can see but little. For performances, see Chap. 1 0.
FLYING MORGAN SPROUT
Was foaled in 1852, the property of R. M. Adams, of Burlington, Vt.
Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett horse, g g sire, Gilford, ggg
sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan, out of Messenger dam,
of middling size. He is 15 hands high, and of a dark chestnut color.
Took the second premium at the National Fair at Springfield,
Mass., when he had nine competitors. Has an excellent temper, a
free, open gait, and promises to be fast. Under Mr. Adams' care he
has become one of the best trained and most thoroughly broken
horses in the State, and we do not know of a horse equal to him in
these respects. He is still owned by Mr. Adams, at Burlington, Vt.
FOX
Was foaled in 1813, the property of Col. Phinney, of Shrewsbury,
Vt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam unknown ; 14
hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. ; color, dapple bay ; a very few white
hairs on his forehead, and very few long hairs on his legs ; mane and
tail thick and bushy. In 1825 he was purchased by Mr. Oliver
Brown, of Pittsford, Vt. Mr. Brown kept him about one year, and
sold him to Harvey Yale, of Middlebury, Vt., for $210. Mr. Yale
kept him five years ; during this time he was kept at Huntington
and Middlebury. In 1831, Mr. Yale sold him to Dr. Smith, oi
Huntington, for $150. Dr. Smith kept him one year. From Hunt-
ington he went to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; from whence he was
taken to Upper Canada, where he died. He was a horse of great
spirit and action, and was a favorite parade horse.
F A R R A R HORSE
SEE YOVSQ BURBAXK.
PEDIGREES. 281
FLINT HORSE
Was foaled in 1823, the property of Oliver Bowers, of Danville,
Yt. . Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. He was owned by
Mr. Bowers, Mr. Flint, Mr. Woods, and Mr. Bellows. He died in
St. Johnsbnry. He is said to have been a fine horse, but we have
been able to learn no further particulars concerning him.
FLYING MORGAN, OF PETERSHAM.
SEE NORTH STAE.
FALCON
Was foaled May 31st, 1846, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Nor-
folk, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam by the Yale horse ; Yale horse by Barnum's Cock
of the Rock ; g dam by GifTord. Falcon died at three years old.
FALCON 2d
Was foaled in 1849, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Norfolk,
Conn. Sired by Falcon, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman,
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a high-blooded Yirginia mare
FARMERS' BEAUTY
Was foaled in 1842, the property of Dr. Thatcher, of Wells
River, Yt. Sired by Gilford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, a bay, said to sired by W^oodbury. Farmers'
Beauty is about 15 hands high ; weighs 1.075 lbs., and is of dappled
chestnut color. Stock excellent and uniform. He is a good
traveller ; has trotted in 2.53. He is now owned by D. M. Tag-
gart, Goffstown, N. H.
FOX MORGAN
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Miller & Fox, of New
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire. Billy Root, g g sire, Sher-
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. The Fox Morgan is coal black,
with a few gray hairs about his flanks ; 141 hands high, and weighs
950 lbs. Action spirited and stylish.
282 THE MORGAN HORSE.
GOODALE HORSE
Was foaled in 1836, the property of Luther Goodale, of Lyme,
N.H. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Height, 15*
hands ; weight, 1,100 lbs. Heavy bone and muscle ; courage and bot-
tom excellent ; action not the finest, but a good driver. He left some
excellent stock. Mr. Goodale sold him in 1845 or '46 to B. F.
Tillitson, of Orford, N. H., who sold him in 1849 or '50, to a man in
Danvers, Mass. Disposition not pleasant.
GATES HORSE.
(see morgan empire.)
GREEN MOUNTAIN 1st
Was foaled the property of Mr. Bachupp, of Rygate, Yt. Sired by
Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. He was 151 hands high ; weighed
1,125 lbs., and was of a dusty brown color. He was taken to Green-
field, Mass., and sold for $1,000.
GREEN MOUNTAIN 2d
Was foaled in 1834, the property of George Bundy. Sired by Gif-
ford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by
Woodbury, a dark bay mare of great beauty and action. This
horse is 144 hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. ; color, deep bay.
Mr. Bundy sold him, when four months old, to Daniel Gay, of Stock-
bridge, Yt., who kept him till he was four years old, and sold him
to Hiram Twitchell, of Bethel, Yt., and he sold him the same year
to John Woodbury, of Bethel, Yt. Mr. Woodbury sold him to
Silas Hale, of South Royalston, Mass., who kept him till 1855
(Vhen he sold him to a stock company in Williamstown, Yt., where
ie is now owned. Mr. Hale took him West in 1853, and he re-
ceived first premiums at the several State Fairs of Kentucky, Ohio,
^nd Michigan, and in 1854 he received the first premium at the Yer-
mont State Fair, at Brattleboro'. He lias a]so taken several other
premiums. He is a horse of great muscular development, and
remarkably nervous, spirited action.
PEDIGREES. 283
GOODALE HORSE
Was foaled the property of Jolin Dennick, of Lynn, N. H. Sired
by Young Burbank, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
He is of a bay color, and weighs 1,025 lbs. Left one stallion, the
Bold Rusher, a fine horse, now dead.
GREEN MOUNTAIN, Jr.,
Was foaled in July, 1851. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gif-
ford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam known
as the Harton Trotting Mare. In 1851 owned by George W. Brad-
street, of Royalton, Yt., and purchased of him by Reuben H.
Lamb, of Boston. Sired by Gifford.
Green Mountain, Jr., is 15 hands high, and weighs 1,035 lbs. His
color is dark chestnut, or brown. He has the style and action of
his sire and dam, and trots a mile in 3 minutes. Now owned by
A. Lyman, of West Randolph, Yt. He is a very fast walker, and
a very pleasant and stylish driver.
GEN. GIFFORD 1st
Was foaled in 1839, the property of Edward Eldridge, of War-
ren, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin
Morgan.
Gen. Gifford is a chestnut, 15 J hands high, weighs 1,1040 lbs. He
is a long-bodied, but compact horse, with good style and action ;
a pleasant temper, and abundance of life. Mr. Eldridge sold him to
Calvin Blodget, of Waterbury, Yt. Mr. Blodget kept him about
two years and sold him to George A. Mason, of Jordan, N. Y.
GEN. GIFFORD 2d
Was foaled in 1849, in Walpole, N. H. Sired by Gifford, g sire,
Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam weighed 1,000 lbs. ; was
foaled in 1831, in Woodstock, Yt. ; sired by Woodbury. Gen. 2d
is a bay, and weighs L000 lbs. A well-formed horse, of good
action.
GENERAL COOK HORSE.
(SEE SHERMAN MORGAN.)
284 THE MORGAN HORSE.
GENERAL TAYLOR
Was foaled in Chelsea, in 1849, the property of Joseph Hatch.
Sired by Black Prince. Dam, sired by Bulrush, g dam by Quicksil-
ver, 15 hands high, blood-bay color, and weighs 1,000 lbs. Not re-
markably bold and active, but symmetrical, hardy, and enduring,
and an excellent horse. Received the first premium at the Orange
County, Vt., Fair, in 1851, and also the first in the class of Bul-
rush Morgans, at the State Fair in 1854. Now owned by Elihu
Norton, Chelsea, Yt.
GLINES HORSE
Was foaled in 1846, the property of James Glines, Haverhill, N. H.
Sired by One Eye, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam,
an English mare. His color is chestnut, and weighs about 1,100
lbs. He has gone West.
GROSYNER COLT.
(SEE PLATO.)
GIFFORD
Was foaled June 23, 1824, the property of Ziba Gifford, of Tun-
bridge, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam
foaled June 21st, 1819, and sired by Henry Dundas, g dam by True
Briton, g g dam by Be Lancey's Imported Wild Air. Weighed
1,000 lbs., and was 14 1 hands high. Style and motion much ad-
mired, and was a favorite parade horse. Has left some excellent
stock. March 17th, 1840, Mr. Gifford sold him to Russel Topliff,
of Barnard, Yt. In 1844, Mr. Topliff sold him to Lyman Stewart.
Mr. Stewart sold him to go to the State of New York. In 1846
Mr. F. A. Weir, of Walpole, N. H., purchased him, and sold him
to a stock company for $2,000. He died Oct. 30th, 1850, at Wal-
pole, N. H.
GENERAL GIFFORD 3d
Was foaled 20th Sept., 1851, the property of Mr. Woodard, cf
South Royalton, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire,
PEDIGREES. 285
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by General Gilford. He is 14 bands high,
and weighs 945 lbs. Color chestnut, white face, and three white
feet. Speed good for a colt that has not been trained.
GIFFORD MORGAN, Jr.,
Was foaled May 23d, 1850, the property of Elijah Judson, of
Woodbury, Con. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, Ribbon Back, by Young Black Hawk ;
g dam was taken from Vermont to Con., in 1825, and was said to
have been sired by the Justin Morgan. Gifford Morgan, Jr., is a jet
black color, a little under 15 hands high, and weighs about 1,100
lbs. Is a free, pleasant traveller, and moves in good, bold style. Is
very pleasant in his temper, perfectly tractable, and is a fine horse.
He is now owned by Mr. H. B. Munson, and is kept at Keokuk,
Lee County, Iowa.
GREEN MOUNTAIN 3d
Was foaled September 3d, 1853, the property of H. B. Munson,
of Seymour, Con. Sired by a son of Green Mountain 2d., g sire,
Green Mountain 2d, g g sire, Gifford, ggg sire, Woodbury, g g g g
eire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Moscow, g dam, by Woodbury.
His color is dark chestnut, with silver colored mane and tail. Is
15 hands high, and is a promising colt.
GRANITE STATE MORGAN
Was foaled June 21st, 1847, the property of Parker W. Home,
of Farmington, N. H. Sired by Napoleon Morgan, g sire, Flint
horse, g g sire, Sherman, ggg sire, Justin Morgan. Dam of
Messenger descent. Grauite State Morgan is a chestnut roan, with
one white hind foot and a white stripe in the face, 155 hands high,
and weighs about 1,000 lbs. Is a good traveller, perfectly sound
and kind, a pleasant, tractable temper, and can be driven by a child.
He is now owned by C. C. Whitehouse, of Farmington, N. H.
GENERAL GIFFORD, Jr.,
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Charles W. Ingersoll, of Lodi,
Seneca Co., N. Y , who at that time owned the General Gifford 1st.
Sired by General Gifford 1st., g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury..
2S6 THE MORGAN HORSE.
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, the celebrated Medick's trotting
mare. Her dam by Bucyrus, and he by American Eclipse. This
Junior General is 16 hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. He re-
ceived the first premium at New York State Fair, at Utica, Sept.,
1852, first premium and medal at Michigan State Fair, holden at
Detroit, 1854 ; also, the first premium at Seneca County Fair, Oct.
1854. Action easy and graceful. He is a good horse. Now
owned by B. J. Bidwell, Tecumseh, Mich.
GRANITE STATE
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Josiah Cram, of Hancock,
N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sherman,
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was sired by a horse called Tom
Morgan. Tom Morgan was sired by a horse called Briton. The
pedigree of the last two named we do not know. Granite State is
light chestnut, and weighs 1,050 lbs. His style and action are good.
When three years old, Mr. Cram refused $800 for him, and still
owns him.
GOLDEN EAGLE
Was foaled June 21st, 1851, the property of Jacob Blake, of Sut-
ton, Vt. Sired by Morgan General, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sher-
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. When four years old, he was pur
chased by Wm. Hill, of Sutton, Vt., and taken to Maine. Dark
chestnut color. Weight about 1,150 lbs. Moves in good style, has
good figure, good constitution, and excellent limbs. Mr. Hill has
lately taken him to Illinois.
HALL HORSE
Was foaled in Northumberland, Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire,
Justin Morgan. Weight, 1,100 lbs. Low, heavy built, and dark
bay color. He was owned and kept several years by Mr. Hall, of
Northumberland, Vt.
HUBBARD HORSE
Was foaled in Stratford, Vt., the property of Mr. Hubbard.
Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan
Chestnut color. Weight 1,000 lbs.
PEDIGREES. 287
HAELOW HORSE
Was foaled the property of Mr. Harlow, of Hartland, Vt. Sired
by Walker horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Weight 1,200 lbs. Dapple gray color. Action fine, and a sharp
goer.
HEBARD HORSE
Was foaled in 1827, the property of Aria! Hall, of North Royal-
ton, Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Height 14|
hands. Weight, 1,050 lbs. Color bay, black mane and tail. Died
in Williamstown, Vt., in 1854, the property of Mr. Hall. He was
a very valuable horse, hardy, enduring, with fine style and action,
and a good roadster. Left a great deal of excellent stock.
HACKETT HORSE
Was foaled in 1832, the property of Ool. John Hackett, of Han-
cock, Yt. Sired by Gilford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam sired by Woodbury. Height, 14^ hands. Weight, 1,070
lbs. Color chestnut, thick set, compact horse, but style not so fine as
some. Action good, and a horse of great endurance. He was a
good roadster, and left excellent stock. Died Feb., 1850, the prop-
erty of Mr. Hackett.
HAMPDEN
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Dr. J. Holland, of Westfield,
Mass. Sired by Gilford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam Polly, a sharp-going dark chestnut mare, of Messenger
descent, formerly owned by Messrs. Morgan & Stevens, of Palmer,
Mass. Hampden is a dapple chestr.ut a trifle over 15 hands high
weighs 1,025 lbs., has a very compact form, excellent constitution,
pleasant disposition, and is a good driver. He is now owned by
N. B. Washburn, Springfield, Mass.
HUCKINS HORSE
Was foaled in 1844, the property of Henry Wooly, of Derby,
Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Huckins horse is a bay, 15 hands high, and weighs a
little over 1,000 lbs. He is full of courage and life. Is now owned
in Topsham, Yt
288 THE MORGAN HORSE.
HUBBARD HORSE 2d
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Dr. Frederick Jones, of New
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Flint horse, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, a superior animal, noted for fleetness and
endurance. This horse is now owned by George B. Hubbard, of
Ashby, Mass., is 14 hands high, weighs 900 lbs., is of a rich, dark-
brown color, compact and finely-proportioned, of elegant action,
and possesses the requisite points of a fleet horse.
IYES HORSE
Was foaled in 1839, the property of Julius Ive3, of Stanstead,
0. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, a gray about 15 hands high. Ives horse is a bay,
about 15 hands high, and weighs nearly 1,100 lbs. Style and
action very good. He is now owned in Oswego, N. Y.
JEMIE
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Calvin Blodget, of Water-
bury, Vt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, Madam Lowe. Sired by Woodbury. Jemie is a
chestnut, 14| hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. ; has no white hairs
on him ; is close built ; stands high forward ; has good style and
action, and is a good driver. He is now owned by John G. Sher-
burn, and we think is in Richmond, McHenry Co., Illinois.
JERRY
Was foaled the 18th of June, 1849, the property of Calvin
Blodget, of Waterbury, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury,
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Hebard horse, g dam by Bul-
rush. Jerry is chestnut, with a little white on one hind foot ; 14|
hands high, and weighs 1,000 lbs. ; heavy mane and tail ; form
close and compact ; good action, and a free, pleasant driver.
KNIGHT'S HORSE.
(SEE VERMONT MORGAN CHAMPION.)
PEDIGBEES. 289
KARBT HORSE
Was bred in Bath, N. H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Wood-
bury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Chestnut color, and weighs 1,125
lbs.
KENT'S MORGAN
Was foaled in 1844, the property of Adrial Kent, of Lancaster,
N.H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam by Sherman. This horse weighs 1,050 lbs. ; is 15 hands
high ; a deep bay color ; star in the face and white hind feet ; style
and action good. Stock has proved excellent. Is now owned by
A.. J. Congdon, of Lancaster, N. H.
KITE
Was foaled in June, 1854, the property of S. Langdon, New
Haven, Yt. Sired by Rising Sun, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan ; dam sired by Beaman horse,
he by Black Hawk, g dam by Black Hawk. Kite is dark chest-
nut, 151 hands high, and weighs 880 lbs. He is now owned by
Geo. L. Linsley, Kankakee City, Illinois.
KENT COLT
Was foaled in June, 1851, the property of G. W. Kent, of New-
bury, Vt. Sired by Carleton horse, or Petus Morgan, g sire,
Morgan Chief, g g sire, Bulrush, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam
by Sherman. Kent Colt is a blood bay, 14^ hands high, weighs
975 lbs, with head, eye, and neck very fine; general figure and limbs
good. Is still owned by Mr. Kent.
LATHAM HORSE, or MORGAN CHIEF,
Was foaled at Wells River, Yt., the property of Peter Burbank,
in 1832. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam known
as Empress, sired by Justin Morgan : 151 hands high, weight,
1,000 lbs., and chestnut color.
When one year old, Mr. Burbank sold him to B. Latham, Esq.
of Lyme, N. H., for 8150. In 1841, Mr. Latham sold him to Col
R. C. Sawyer, of Newbury, Yt., who kept him till May, 1847, when
13
290 THE MORGAN HORSE.
he sold him to Calvin Blodget, of Waterbury, Vt. In June, 1848,
he was sold to Messrs. Wight & Eldridge, of Warren, Vt., who in
June, 1852, sold him to Messrs. Prescott & Wilson, of Newbury,
Vt. In the spring of 1854, he was taken to New Jersey. He
was not remarkable for style and action, but his stock proved
good.
LONE STAR
Was foaled the 5th June, 1848, the property of Benj. B. Tuttle, of
Newmarket, N. H. Sired by Estis horse, g sire, Black Hawk, g
g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a chestnut 14^
hands high, sired by Cock of the Bock. Lone Star is a blood bay,
with small white star in forehead ; 15| hands high, and weighs 1,065
lbs., and is half-brother to the well-known trotting mare, Lady
Franklin. He has never been trained, but he has a gait that indi-
cates ability to trot. He is a fine horse, and is now owned by Syl-
vanus Tuttle, of Newmarket, N. H.
LAWTON HOBSE
Was foaled in June, 1841, the property of Mr. Buckman, of Bethel,
Vt., and is now owned by Messrs. Woodward & Flint, South
Royalston, Vt. Sired by Green Mountain, 2d, g sire, Gififord, g g
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Bam sired by Morgan
Eagle. This horse is 15 hands high ; weighs 1,100 lbs., and his
color is dapple bay. Style and action excellent, possessing both bot-
tom and speed.
LEMON FAIR
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Robbins Battell of Norfolk,
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam by Gen. Whitney's Arabian. He by Dey of
Algiers, g dam by Duroc.
MORGAN LION
Was foaled May 31st, 1852, the property of J. C. Tibbits, Esq., of
Sutton, Vt. Sired by Morgan Gen., g sire, Billy Boot, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Height, 15^ hands, grey
PEDIGKEE3. 291
color, and weight 1,150 lbs. ; very compact, close-built, high-head-
ed, good acting horse.
MORGAN TROTTER
Was foaled in 1819 or '20, the property of iabel Whitney, near
Chelsea, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a
large coarse common mare, light bay ; weight, 1,150 lbs.
Morgan Trotter was 15 hands high, and weighed 1,000 lbs. ;
color, dark bay ; remarkably strong, cordy limbs ; a very hard
driver and fast trotter. Charles Johnson bought him about 1823
or '24, and owned him four or five years, then sold him to go to
Maine.
MORGAN KING.
(SEE SHERMAN KING.)
MORGAN RAT
Was foaled in 1822, the property of Judge Baldwin, of Strafford,
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. When young he was
taken to Maine, and kept in the vicinity of Norway, Stanwich and
Gray. His stock was small, but invariably good roadsters, with fine
action. He was brownish chestnut color ; 13 h hands high, and
weighed 850 lbs. ; with a symmetrical figure, he had a long body,
which gave him his name. He was very gentle and very spirited.
MAY-FLY
Was foaled in 1848. Sired by Farmer's Beauty, g sire, Gifford,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by
Wild Hawk of the Prairie, said to be a thorough-bred English
horse, owned by Josiah Chase, Princeton, Mass. May-Fly weighs
900 lbs., and is of bay color. He' is now owned by Chas. Perley,
Boxford, Mass. Is a good-tempered, fine-acting horse.
MOODY HORSE,
(SEE ENFIELD HOESE.)
MORGAN TIGER.
(see TIGER.)
292 THE MORGAN HORSE.
MORGAN CAESAR
Was foaled in 1828, the property of Simon Smith, of Hartland,
Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Quick
Silver, g dam bre£ by John G. Bond, Keene, N. H., and by Morton's
Traveller. (Not the Morton's Traveller of the Stud Book.)
This horse was 15£ hands high, weight, 1,150 lbs. He was
free from loDg hairs, had a fine head, ears and neck ; mane and tail
not as thick as is common. He was a fast driver, could go a mile
in three minutes, and in March, 1844, was driven from Piermont to
Wentworth, N. H., a distance of 12 miles, with two men in a
sleigh, in 44 minutes. In 1833 or '34 he was taken to Maine by
Spaulding Smith, of Wilton, Maine, and sold by him to Gen. John
M. Eustis, of that State, for a parade horse. He remained there
till 1842, and sired some excellent stock, of which was the celebrated
trotting horse Mac, also the noted trotter, Pizarro, and a mare
known as the Robert's Mare, very fast, and reputed to trot a mile in
2.35. The administrators of Gen Eustis' estate sold him to Manly
Herriman, of Bradford, Vt. He afterwards passed through several
hands, until in March, 1846, he was purchased by Jesse Johnson
& Brothers, who kept him till he died, June 1848. His stock sold
high ; many geldings brought from $300 to $1,000 each. This
horse was known in Maine by the name of Morgan Post Boy.
MATCHLESS
Was foaled in 1851, the property of William M. Parker, of Con-
cord, N. H. Sired by Prince Albert, g sire, Green Mountain 2d, g
g sire, Gilford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Blood bay color, with black legs ; 14s hands high, and weighs 900 lbs.
Fine style and action. He is a fine, symmetrical animal, with small,
finely-shaped head and ear. Promises to be fast. Dam of Match-
less was formerly owned by Hiram Woodruff. She was a cele-
brated roadster, and was half-sister to the great Trustee. She was
black, about 14J hands high.
MODEL MORGAN
Was foaled in 1850, the property of Dr. Lemuel Richmond, of
Derby ,Vt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire,Sherman, g g sire, Justin
PEDIGREES. 293
Morgan. Dam by White Mountain Morgan, g dam by Eoyal
Morgan. Model is 14 hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. ; his color is
dark mahogany bay, with very bushy, beautifully black mane and
tail. He was exhibited at the Vermont State Fair in 1853, and the
Committee in their Report to the Society say, " that he possesses
as many, or more, of the traits of the old Sherman, than any other
horse on the grounds."
MORGAN STAR
Was foaled in 1851, in the town of Shelburn, Mass. Sired by
DeerSeld Morgan, g sire, Green Mountain 2d, g g sire, Gifford, g g
g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Cock
of the Rock, g dam by Magnum Bonum. Morgan Star is 15 hands
high ; weighs 1,050 lbs. ; his color is a dark dapple bay. With a
symmetrical figure, lie has fine style and action. Is now owned in
Atwater, Ohio.
MORGAN CHAMPION.
(SEE VERMONT MORGAN CHAMPION.)
MORGAN NAPOLEON
Was foaled in 1852, the property of A. C. Palmer, of Charlotte,
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk Prophet, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Napoleon is 16 hands high,
and weighs 1,050 lbs. ; his color is jet black, good mane and tail.
He has a fine open gait, but has never been trained to trot. Re-
ceived the first premium in the class three years old, at the last
Yermont State Fair. He is a fine horse.
MELYIN HORSE
Was foaled in 1838, the property of Mr. Melvin, of Charlestown,
Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam was a light gray, 15 hands high ; weight, 900
lbs. Melvin horse is a light gray ; 15i hands high, and weighs
over 1,100 lbs. Style and action excellent. He is now owned in
Kalamazoo, Michigan.
MORGAN COMET.
(SEE IVES HORSE.)
294 THE MORGAN HORSE.
MORGAN CHIEF.
(see lath an HORSE )
MERRIMAN HORSE
Was foaled in 1851, the property of L. Merriman, of Stanstead,
C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, a chestnut, weighs about 900 lbs, sired by Sir Richard.
Merriman horse is a bay, 14 hands high, weighs 975 lbs., good
style, and a good traveller. He is now owned by Robert Trumbull,
of Belle Centre, Ohio.
MORGAN FIGURE
Was foaled in 1850, the property of Solomou Steele, of Beebe
Plains, C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, a black, sired by Piermont Morgan, g dam
sired by Hawkins' horse. Morgan Figure is a jet black, 14 hands
high ; weighs 950 lbs. He is an excellent horse, compact, with
plenty of bone, clean, sinewy legs, with fine style and pleasant tem-
per ; he is a good roadster. He is still the property of Mr. Steele.
MORGAN POST BOY.
(see morgan c^esar.)
MORGAN DEFIANCE.
(see brock horse.)
MORGAN DRAGON
Was foaled in July, 1853, the property of Gen. Silas M. Bur-
roughs, Medina, N. Y. Sired by young Black Hawk, g sire, Black
Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, gg g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Im-
ported Emigrant.
MORGAN DEFIANCE
Was foaled June 14th, 1844, the property of Harvey Nobles, of
Hartford, Yt. Sired by the Dennison horse or Gold Finder. Dam,
celebrated stock and road mare, Old Lady Morgan ; sired by Sher-
man. Morgan Defiance is a jet black, 15 hands high, and weighs
PEDIGREES. 295
1,030 lbs., compact, well-formed figure, and high carriage. He ia
now owned by an Association in Northfield, Yt.
MORGAN EAGLE
"Was foaled in 1827, the property of Daniel Morgan, of Royalton,
Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, blood bay,
of 1,000 pounds weight ; an excellent roadster, but blood unknown.
Eagle was 14J hands high, and weighed about 1,100 lbs. ; dapple
bay, high style, fine action, and free, pleasant driver. Morgan sold
him to Mr. Sprague, of Randolph, Yt. In 1832 Mr. Sprague sold
him to Philip Farnham, of Turnbridge, Yt. Mr. Farnham kept
him till 1839, and sold him to A. M. Foster, of Barre, Yt., and he
kept him till he died, in 1840. The stock of Morgan Eagle were
compact, rugged horses, and fine drivers. Morgan Eagle was the
sire of Lady Sutton.
MORGAN EMPEROR
Was foaled the property of Mr. Hough, of Lebanon, N.H. Sired
by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Imported Prince
William, formerly kept at Hartford, Conn. Emperor was 15| hands
high, and weig'hed 1,025. lbs., color blood bay. Jesse Johnson and
Brothers kept him one year in Burlington, Yt., in 1835, and while
there he trotted a mile in 2 min. 55 sec. Afterwards they kept him in
Bradford two years, when he was sold to Messrs. Hamet and But-
ler, of Burlington, Yt. In 1837 he went to Chicago. Sired Chi-
cago Jack, gelding, and North Star, who took the second premium
at the National Fair in Springfield, Mass. ; also the Tillitson
horse, who trotted a mile in 2 min. 40 sec, on Cambridge Park
Course, in September, 1843. From Chicago he returned to Bur-
lington, and went from there to Petersham, Mass., where he died in
the autumn of 1853. He was close and compact, with good figure ;
had a very heavy mane and tail, went with mouth wide open, and
more from the whip than from spirit.
MORGAN ECLIPSE
Was foaled in 1848, the property of J. & R. C. Johnson, of Brad-
ford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Caesar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin
296 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Morgan. Eclipse was own brother to Morgan Traveller, 15 Lands
high, and weighed 991 lbs. ; color, beautiful chestnut. Was sold in
1834 to an Agricultural Society in New-Brunswick, for over $2,000.
His stock have taken several premiums at State Fairs in Vermont.
At the Fair at Brattleboro three of his colts took premiums, be-
sides two mares with foals by their side from him. He was a very
fine horse. Pedigree of dam, see Traveller.
MORGAN EMPIRE
"Was foaled in 1845, the property of Charles Gates, of Petersham,
Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire, Wood-
bury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Morgan Empire is 15| Lands high,
and weighs a little under 1,100 lbs. ; is a horse of good action, and
very muscular. He is now owned by G. W. Chamberlain, of Walt-
ham, Mass. ; is a good horse, and has a good reputation for stock.
MORGAN EMPEROR 2d
Was foaled in June, 1849, the property of Josiah White, of
Petersham, Mass. Sired by Morgan Emperor, g sire, Bulrush, g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam said to be by Sherman. Morgan Emperor
is a deep bay, 15 hands high, and weighs 1,075 lbs. He is a strong,
well-formed, fine moving horse. In 1855 he took two premiums,
one at United States Fair in Boston, and one at Worcester, Mass.
He is now owne<^ by Harrison Bacon, of Barre, Mass.
MORGAN HUNTER
Was foaled in 1844, the property of Mr. Exwell, of Springfield,
Vt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam sired by Gifford. Hunter is 14| hands high, and of chestnut
color. Messrs. Ackley & Gilbert, of East Hamilton, Madison Co.,
N. Y., purchased him in May, 1849, but he is now owned by
Messrs. Farriss and Ccok, of Charlottesville, Va. Is a horse of
beautiful figure and fine action.
*D'
MORGAN CHIEF
Was foaled June 18th, 1847. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury,
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Green Mountain 2d, g dam
•» PEDIGREES. 297
by Messenger. Height 14| hands, weight 960 lbs., color light
brown, with small star in his forehead. Owned by H. R. Ackley,
of East Hamilton, Madison Co., N. T. Morgan Chief lost one
eye by an accident.
MORGAN ROBBIN
Was foaled in 1827, the property of Mr. Chamberlain, of Danville,
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Jus-
tin Morgan. This horse was 14| hands high, weighed 1,000 lbs.,
color bright bay, black mane and tail, with all his legs white half
up to his knees. Remarkably fine style, great deal of bone and
muscle, perfectly gentle, good roadster, and fine horse. Mr. Allen
kept him till 1853, when he sold him to L. D. Ide, of Lyndon, Yt.,
who kept him till he died, the next autumn. He was kept at
Keene, Lynn, and Walpole, N. H., and at St. Johnsbury, Yt. He
was sold when young, and owned by Mather Allen, of Guildhall,
Yt., for many years.
MORGAN RATTLER.
(see royal morgan.)
MORGAN RECRUIT
"Was foaled in July, 1851, the property of Ebenezer Bridges, of
Pomfret, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan, g dam by Woodbury. Re-
cruit is dark chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 1,020 lbs., thick set,
with good limbs, short head, open nostrils, face dishing, wide be-
tween eyes, and very heavy mane and tail. Now owned by
E. Bridges, of Pomfret, Vt
MORGAN TIGER 1st
Was foaled in 1827, in Whitefield, N. H. Sired by Cock of the
Rock, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by the
noted Bellfounder. Tiger was a gray roan, 15| hands high, and
weighed 1,025 lbs. He was a very hardy, enduring horse, full of
courage, and good action. At four years old he was sold to Judge
Sumner, of Charlestown, N. H. Judge Sumner kept him a num-
ber of years, and then sold him to some one in Boston for a parade
13*
29 S THE MORGAN HORSE.
horse. He remained in Boston several years, until, bis stock
proving excellent, he was hunted up and brought back to Corinth,
Yt., by Daniel Batchelder, of that place. He remained in Orange
Co., Vt., and Grafton Co., N. H., until his death in 1850. He left
good stock.
MORGAN BUCEPHALUS
Was foaled in 1853, the property of Geo. W. Cook, of Fairlee,
Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Cassar, g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Woodbury. Color
chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 900 lbs., has a white stripe on the
nose.
MORGAN GENERAL
Was foaled in 1845, the property of Lowell Spencer, of Concord,
Yt. Sired by Billy Boot, g sire, Sherman, g g sire. Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, a very large mare, fast for her size, sired by Black
Prince, dam still living, 26 years old. General weighs 1,200 lbs.,
is 15 1 hands high, and chestnut color. He is a very bold look-
ing horse, fine style, and good action for a horse of his size ; very
compact, limbs excellent, but have some long hair on them. Is a
good horse. He is now owned by Wm. Hill, Oregon City, 111.
MORGAN RATTLER
Was foaled June 1st, 1850, the property of Jonathan Brewster, of
Worthington, Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, GifFord,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a fast-trot-
ting dark bay, sired by Rattler. This horse is a dark bay, 154 hands
high, and is now owned by A. W. Kellogg, of Chicago, Illinois.
At the Housatonic Fair, held at Great Barrington, Mass., in 1854,
and at Rutland, Yt., County Fair, the same year, he received the
first premium.
MAJOR
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Robbins Battell, of Norfolk/
Conn. Sired by Raven, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman,
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a Narragansett pacer. We have
no further description of this horse, but we believe he is a good one.
PEDIGEEES. 299
MORGAN SULTAN
Was foaled 22d May, 1846. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury,
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by Gifford. Sultan wag
a dapple chestnut.
MORGAN TRUSTEE
Was foaled May 16th, 1848. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury,
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Bulrush, g dam by Morgan
Fortune, g g dam by Justin Morgan. Trustee was a dark bay,
black mane, legs and tail, and a fine horse.
MAJOR GIFFORD
Was foaled in 1843, the property of Mr. Ellis, of Springfield, Yt.
Sired by Gen. Gifford, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Spectator, and he by one of Mes-
senger's sons.
At three years old Mr. Ellis sold him to Calvin Blodget, of Wat-
erbury, Yt. In 1847, '48, and '49, he was kept at Chelsea, Yt.,
and in the fall of 1849, at the New York State Fair at Syracuse,
Mr. Blodget sold a half interest in him to A. Mason, of Jordan,
New York, and in 1856 sold the remaining interest to the same
gentleman.
MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Was foaled the property of Mr. Buckminster, of Danville, Yt.
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Empress,
an English mare. Eagle is a dark chestnut, 15 J hands high, and
weighs 1,050 lbs. Amos Kendall took him to Jefferson County,
New York. When we last heard from him he was owned by Mar-
tin Hungerford, Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Yery
showy, and active horse.
MORGAN CHIEFTAIN
Was foaled in September, 1853, the property of W. P. Balch, of
Boston, Mass. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sher-
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam raised in Bradford ; sired
b7 Woodbury ; could trot a mile in three minutes, and was a fast
300 THE MORGAN H(
traveller. Chieftain is a dark dapple chestnut. He is a stout,
thick-built horse, and when 26 months old weighed 930 lbs. He
carries a high head, and has a small ear. He is a promising horse.
He is now owned by Mr. Balch, and is kept in Hancock, N. H., by-
Hiram Fuller.
MORGAN BLACK HAWK
Was foaled in 1849, the property of G. Eamsdale, New Ipswich,
N. H. Sired by Anglo Saxon, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, Sher-
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a noted mare, of Sherman
Morgan blood.
Morgan Black Hav^k is 15 \ hands high ; weighs 1,030 lbs. His
color is dark, dappled bay. A fine, compact-looking horse, and a
good traveller.
MESSER HORSE.
(see sherman morgan.)
MORGAN TRAVELER
Was foaled in 1847, the property of J. & R. C. Johnson, of Brad-
ford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Ccesar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Jus-
tin Morgan. Dam, known as Lady Clifton, sired by Americas
Eclipse. Morgan Traveller is a beautiful dark chestnut, 15 hands
high, weighs 1,000 lbs., and is a horse of very fine form and excel-
lent action.
MORGAN TRAVELER 2d
Was foaled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1850. Sired by
Mountain Eagle, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. He is
dark chestnut, 10 hands high, and well proportioned. Took the
first premium at St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Fair, in 1852.
MYRICK HORSE.
(SEE SHERMAN BLACK HAWK.)
MORGAN TALLY HO.
(SEE WALKER HORSE.)
PEDIGREES. 301
MORGAN COMET
Was foaled in 1849, in St. Johnsbury, Yt. Sired by Billy Root,
g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a half-blood
English mare. He is well-proportioned, a good traveller, moves in
beautiful style, thoroughly broken, can be driven by anybody.
His stock is good, and he is a fine horse. He is chestnut, about
15 hands high, and weighs about 1,000 lbs". He is now owned by
A. H. Wilcox, St. Johnsbury, Yt.
MORRILL HORSE
Was sired by Jennison horse, g sire, Young Bulrush, g g sire, Bul-
rush, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Farrington horse,
he by Yance horse, and Yance horse by Imported Messenger.
Morrill horse is thirteen years old, a jet black color, and weighs
1,225 lbs. He is a powerful and fast-trotting horse.
MORGAN TIGER 2d
Was foaled in 1827, the property of Major Ford, of Braintree,
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. About 1831 he
was sent to Charlestown, Mass., and was kept at Col. Jaques, where
he remained ten years. In 1843 he was bought by Mr. Howe, of
Bridport, Yt. ; and brought into Bridport, Addison county, where
he was kept two seasons. He was a superior horse ; and when four
years old, was valued at $1,000. His color was dark bay, with
two or three white feet, star in the forehead, and heavy curly black
mane and tail ; was 14| hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. His action
was good ; he was not fast, but hardy and enduring ; he was old,
when we first saw him, and was foundered.
MORGAN FUSION
Was Be : [ay 7th, 1856, the property of H. B. Munson, of
Seymour, Conn. Sired by Raven, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Dolly Hale, was sired
by Green Mountain 2d, g dam by Young American Eclipse, g g
dam, Imported Silk Stockings. Dolly Hale was half brother to the
celebrated trotting horse Ripton.
302 THE MORGAN HORSE.
MOUNTAINEER
Was foaled July 15th, 1854, the property of Ira Gifford, of
New Haven, Yt. Sired by Rising Sun, g sire, Black Hawk, g g
sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Wheeler
horse, g dam by Hebard horse.
Mountaineer is dapple chestnut, without marks. Above medium
size, with excellent limbs, good style of action, and is a promising
colt.
NEWTON HORSE
Was foaled in Haverhill, N. H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire,
Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Weight, 1,100 lbs. Color,
chestnut.
NORTH HORSE.
(SEE SHERMAN BLACK HAWK.)
NEWEL'S GRAY
Was foaled the property of Mr. Stiles, of Waterbury, Yt. Sired
by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam of brown color, large
and heavy. Sired by Yance horse (Yance horse was gray) ; he
by old Phoenix. Newel's Gray was gray ; 15£ hands high ; fine
figure with a great deal of fire and spirit, but wanted bone. He,
took his name from T. Newel, who owned him for a long time. He
was burned in the stable of Mr. Sparhawk, of Walpole, N. H., in
1838 or '39. Mr. Sparhawk purchased him of John Bellows.
NORTH STAR
Was foaled the property of David Lincoln, of Greenwich, Mass.
Sired by Morgan Emperor, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam, a bay. He took the second premium at the National Fair
at Springfield, Mass., 1854. He is a bright bay ; weighs l,0601bs. ;
black and curly mane and tail. He is a very symmetrical, well-shaped
horse, with fine bold style and excellent action ; and is now owned
by Henry Olmstead, East Hartford, Conn.
NEARING HORSE.
(SEE ADDISON.)
PEDIGREES. 303
NILES HOESE
Was foaled in 1846, the property of Daniel Niles, of Canada
East. Sired by Eoyal Morgan, g. sire, Sherman, g g sire Justin
Morgan. Dam, brown ; 15 hands high; weight about 1,000 lbs.
Sired by Black Snake. He by Prince Lee Boo. Niles horse is a
black, 15j| hands high ; weighs about 1,100 lbs., with good style
and action. He is now owned by Daniel Niles.
NICHOLAS
Was foaled in 1853, in Norfolk, Conn. Sired by " Raven," g sire,
Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Owned by Harman Hamlin, Canton, N. T.
NIMEOD
Was foaled in 1824. Sired by True American, and he by
Quicksilver. Dam a bay, sired by Justin Morgan, g dam an
English mare. He was jet black ; 15| hands high, and weighed
1,150 lbs. Was a ho^se of good style and action, and left some
excellent stock. He died at East Berkshire in May, 1854, where
he had been kept for seventeen years, by Mr. Joseph Smith.
ONE-EYE
Was foaled May 20th, 1834, the property, of Moses Chamberlain
of Bradford, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam
by " Postboy." This horse is 14J hands high, weighs 975 lbs., and
is of mahogany bay color. A very fine horse, good style and ac-
tion. Stepped light, but was not fast ; was kept as a stock horse
in New Jersey. Lost one eye when two years old, the consequence
of a boy throwing a stone at him. In 1846 Geo. W. Kilburn, now
living at Papermill Yillage, N. H., bought him of Rufus Calhoun,
and kept him till 1852, when he sold him to Joseph Peters of Brad-
ford, Yt., and from Peters he went to New Jersey.
OELEANS FLYING MORGAN
Was foaled in 1849, the property of Dr. Samuel Eichmond, of
Derby, Yt. Sired by Eoyal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam, a dark bay, sired by Gifford. He is 14£
304 THE MORGAN HORSE.
hands high, and weighs 975 lbs. ; color, bright bay ; white hind
feet, and a little white in the face A very lively, active horse, of
fine style. His stock excellent, and sell well.
OLD MORRELL HORSE
Was foaled about 1830, the property of Mr. Morell. Sired by
Woodburv.
PIKE HORSE
Was foaled the property of Philander Robbins, of Chelsea, Vt.
Sired by Clarke horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
PUTNAM HORSE
Was foaled in 1825, the property of Putnam & Hitchcock, of
Bethel, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam,
an English blood mare, bred by Col. Ray, of Fort Ann, N. Y., and
called Nancy, sired by the celebrated horse Chanticleer, g dam by
Imported Messenger. He was kept in Bethel and neighboring-
towns most of his life, and died in June, 1855, the property of David
W. Cowdry, of Tunbridge, Yt. Weight 1,000 lbs. ; dark chestnut
color, with a few white hairs in his face between the eves. A fine
horse, and left excellent stock. Style, action and appearance much
like Woodbury. Was regarded as one of the best of his sons.
PAUL CLIFFORD
Was foaled in 1843. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Young Hamiltonian. He by
Bishop's Hamiltonian, and he by Imported Messenger. Grand
dam by Leonidas, an imported horse. Color, mahogany bay, 15J
hands high. Now owned by Messrs. Hunsden & Wilcox, of Oswego,
Tioga Co., N. Y. He is a very fine horse, and received the first
premium at the National Fair, Springfield, Mass, in 1854.
PRINCE ALBERT
Was foaled in June, 1846, the property of Joel Hay ward, of Ashby,
Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Wood-
bury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Messenger ; 14J hands
high ; weight, 1,000 lbs. ; color, bay. Prince Albert is dark chest-
PEDIGREES. 305
not, 14J bauds high, weighs 1,010 lbs. His style and action are
very spirited. He is pleasant-tempered and very playful. His
stock is good and sell well. He was kept in Malone, N. Y., in the
season of 1854 and '55, and is there at this time, but is owned by
S. F. Wright, Nashua, N. H.
'PEACOCK MORGAN
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Hon. Milo Bennett, of
Burlington, Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan. Bam, a high-blood
Woodbury Morgan mare. Peacock is 14| hands high, weighs 925
lbs. ; color, very dark chestnut. He is lively, pleasant, full of ac-
tion and easily controlled ; is a compact, hardy horse, with excel-
lent limbs, fine style, and a pleasant driver. Still owned by Mr.
Bennett, Burlington, Yt.
PLATO
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Messrs. Grosvenor, of Shoreham,
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, a large bay mare by Sir Charles, g dam by Post-boy.
Sir Charles was by Duroe. Plato is 16 hands high ; a jet black,
and weighs 1,100 lbs. Trotted repeatedly when three years old a
half mile in 1.25. Now owned by D. A. Bennett & Co., of Brid-
port, Yt, and is a fine horse. Post-boy was by imported Diomede.
Dam of Sir Charles, by Plato, a son of Imported Messenger.
POPE HORSE
Was foaled the property of Joseph Pope, of Danville, Yt. Sired
by Sherman, g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, old Poppet, sired by
Justin Morgan. Dark chestnut color, small star in forehead, stifle
thin, quarters light, back rather long ; eye, ear, head and neck
exceedingly beautiful ; high, sharp withers, roomy chest, fore legs
good, hind legs crooked, hocks wide apart and feet close ; very high
carriage and very spirited. At five years old, sold to a British
officer in Canada for a riding horse.
PUTNAM HORSE 2d
Was foaled in 1845, the property of Benj. G-. Putnam, of North
Orange, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire,
306 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a gray ; said to be of
Messenger stock. Putnam is fifteen hands high, weighs 1,150 lbs. ;
color, dapple gray. Perfectly gentle and well broken ; good driver
and good under the saddle. Still owned by Mr. Putnam.
PLEASANT GALE
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Norfolk,
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, Jr., g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire,
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Long's Eclipse.
PETEES MORGAN
Was sired by Morgan Chief, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Dam by Gold Finder.
PRESIDENT
Was foaled in 1848, the property of H. Crane, now of Albion,
Mich. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam was a large light gray, of Messenger descent, 16
hands high.
President is 16 hands high, weighs 1,050 lbs., is jet black, and a
horse of firm action and good style. Was sold when six years old, and
taken to Napierville, 111. When seven years old, he was purchased
by H. Benson, of Hinesburgh, Vt. He was awarded the first pre-
mium in the class of three years' old stallions, by the Michigan State
Agricultural Society ; and also the first premium as the best stal-
lion at the Washtenaw Co. Fair, Mich.
PARKS HORSE
Was sired by Green Mountain 1st, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Color, chestnut ; not fast, but in style and action not
easily surpassed. "Weight, 925 lbs.
RANDOLPH MORGAN
Was foaled in 1819 or '20, in Randolph, Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g
sire, Justin Morgan ; 13J hands high, weight 925 lbs., color bay ;
stock fine. Was kept in Randolph, Northfield, and neighboring
towns.
PEDIGREES. k 307
EIP YAN WINKLE
Was foaled in 1852 ; the property of Smith & Thurber, of Rouse's
Point, N. Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Color black, with stripe in face, and some white on
feet. " Size, large, will make a horse of 1,100 lbs. When 18 months
old, he trotted a fourth mile on the ice in 50 s., and when three
years old, he trotted one-half mile in 1 m. 22 s. He is now owned
by E. A. North, of Champlain, N. Y."
HOLLAND HOESE
Was foaled in 1846 ; the property of Ezekiel White, of Tospham,
Yt. Sired by the Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam sired by Carson horse. Height 14^ hands, weight
975 lbs., color chestnut, white fore feet, and white stripe in face.
Now owned by T. & D. Holland, of Corinth, Yt. He took the
second premium in his class, at the last Yt. State Fair. He is a
smart trotter, spirited and stylish.
EOBIN
Was foaled in 1846, sired by Flying Morgan, g sire* Hackett horse,
g g sire, GhTord, g g g sire Woodbury, g g g g sire Justin Morgan.
Dam sired by Cock of the Eock. 15 hands high, and sorrel
chestnut color. Time on Cambridge Course, 2 ms. 45 s. Sold,
in 1854, in Boston, for $2000. Now owned by Mr. Snow.
EOUNDS COLT
Was foaled in 1848. Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett
horse, g g sire , Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam sired by Harris horse. Color black ; 15 h hands
high. This horse was sold in New York city for $1,500. A
quarter crack was discovered after sale, and he was taken back.
EAMSEY HOESE
Was foaled in 1839 ; the property of Eobert Eamsey, of Derby
Yt. Sired by Eoyal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, a chestnut ; weight about 900 lbs. Eamsey
308 THE MOKGAN HOESE.
horse is a chestnut, 15J hands high, weighs 1,100 lbs., with fair
style and action. Is now owned West.
ROMEO 1st
Was foaled April 30th, 1848 ; the property of Silas Hale, of South
Royalston, Mass. Sired by Green Mt. 2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sherman, g
dam a Messenger mare. Mr. Hale kept Romeo until September
2d, 1852, when he sold him to S. H. Edgerly, Esq., of Manchester,
N. H., for $G00. Mr. Edgerly kept him until March 22d, 1854,
when he sold him to Edward G. Davis, of Dubuque, Iowa, for
$1,500, and he is now owned by Mr. Davis. In 1853, Romeo re-
ceived premiums at the Hillsboro County Fair, N. H , and at the
N. H. State Fair, at Manchester. In the Fall of 1854, he re-
ceived the first premium at Dubuque County Fair, in Iowa. Is a
fine horse, and much resembles his sire.
' ROMEO 2d
Was foaled in 1851. Sired by Esty horse. Grand sire, Black
Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam of
Esty horse, sired by Old Romeo. Dam of Romeo, a Messenger
mare ; purchased in Maine.
Romeo is 154 hands high, weight 9 05 lbs., color dark roan.
Good-proportioned, and very fast. He received the first premium
of $200 at the United States' Fair at Boston, in 1855, as the
fastest trotting stallion of his class. Of easy and graceful action,
and a very fine horse. Now owned by Benjamin Thurston, of
Lowell, Mass., the former own'er of Black Hawk.
REVENGE
Was foaled in Claremont, N. H. Sired by Justin Morgan. For
further particulars, see Chapter Y1I.
RAYEN
Was foaled May 31st, 1848 ; the property of Robbins Battell, of
Norfolk, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Took the first premium in his class, at the State
Fair in Conn., in the fall of 1855. He is a very fine horse.
PEDIGREES. 309
RISING SUN
"Was foaled in 1850 ; the property of G-. Y. Cook, of New
Haven, Yt. Is a dark chestnut, with a small white spot in the
forehead, and one white hind foot.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam, said to have both Morgan and Messenger blood. He is 15|
hands high, and weighs a little less than 1,100 lbs. Limbs are
large, muscular and well shaped, and the whole animal well pro-
portioned, possessing abundance of life and vital energy. He is a
fine horse. He received the first premium at the Addison
County Fair, in 1854. In the autumn of 1855, Mr. Cook took
him to Winchester, Scott County, Illinois
ROWEL HORSE
Was foaled in 1844 ; the property of Moses G-. Rowel, of Tun-
bridge, Yt. Sired by Hebard horse. Dam by Old Morrill, g dam
by Woodbury. Bright chestnut, and weighs about 1100 lbs. Is a
good horse.
ROYAL MORGAN
Was foaled in 1821 ; the property of Mr. Aldrich, of St. Johns-
bury, Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam. known
as Aldrich mare, and sired by Justin Morgan. She was a dark bay
of remarkably compact form, with great powers of endurance. She
produced and nursed a colt the summer after she was 29 years old.
He is 13| hands high, and when in his prime, and in high con-
dition, weighed l,0001bs. It is said that in July, 1844, he weighed
l,020lbs. He is a dark bay, with black legs, mane and tail, and a
small star in the forehead. It has been said that he was not sired
by Sherman, but by the Batehelder horse. We have taken some
pains to satisfy ourselves on this point, and have stated his pedi-
gree according to o^jponvictions. The facts seem to be that the
dam of Royal Morgan was coupled with the Batchelder horse,
early in the spring of 1820 ; but the following July, the mare not
proving in foal, Mr. Aldrich sent her to Sherman, and the following
year paid for the services of the latter horse.
Mr. Aldrich sold him, wh3n % colt, and he was taken to Maine,
where he was known as Morgan Rattler. In 1829, he was taken
310 THE MORGAN HORSE.
to Derby, Vt. A few years after this, he became the property of
Mr. Crane, who owngd him several years, and became much
attached to the horse. A short time previous to his death, Mr.
Crane directed that the horse should be carved on his tomb-stone,
which we believe has been done.
Throughout the southern part of Vermont, the horse is known
as the Crane horse ; about Derby, as the Steele horse, and in
some places as the Chamberlain Colt. The administrators of
Crane's estate sold the horse to Solomon Steele, Esq., of Derby
Line, Vt. In 1847, Mr. Steele, having a good offer for him, was
about selling him, when Portus Baxter and Doctor L. Eichmond.
of Derby, organized a stock company, of which Mr. Steele was
President, and the horse was kept by him. Three or four years
since he was purchased by William Baxter, Esq., of Barton, Vt. f
by whom he is now owned. We saw him in February last ; he
was turned loose into a yard with several young colts, and although
35 years old, he seemed to trot as readily and easily as any of
them, exhibiting much of that elasticity and nervousness of step
which characterized him when in his prime.
His head is not very fine ; ears only medium ; eyes beautiful ;
neck, crest, withers, shoulders and chest, excellent ; back, loins and
hips, good, and limbs unsurpassed ; mane and tail thick and long,
and a little long hair about the limbs. His stock average larger
than himself, and are very numerous in all the northern portion
of the State. They are hardy, enduring ; almost invariably good
tempered ; and free, pleasant drivers.
SHERMAN MORGAN 1st
Was foaled in 1835, the property of Moses Cook, of Campton,
N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. The pedigree
of the dam not fully established, but concede^to have been a very
fine animal, and said to be from the Justin Morgan. Sherman
Morgan is 15 hands high, weighs about 1,050 lbs., is dark chestnut,
and very much resembles his sire Sherman, but heavier, stockier,
and not as much action. A fine horse, and is now kept in the stable
at Lancaster, N. H., where the Sherman died. He is owned by
A. J. Congdon.
PEDIGREES. 311
SHERMAN KING
Was sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan, color dark bay, with
a small star in his forehead, very compact, breast-bone very promi-
nent, head high, and very fine ; full of spirit and courage, and excel-
lent action.
STOCKBRIDGE CHIEF
"Was foaled m 1843. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sir Charles. 16 hands high,
weight 1,200 lbs, color chestnut. At the State Fair at Providence,
E. I., he trotted a mile in 2.44. Is a well proportioned, strong,
going horse. Is now owned by P. W. Bishop, Chatham Four-
Corners N. T.
SHERMAN BLACK HAWK
Was foaled in 1845, the property of B. J. Myrick, of Bridport, Yt.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam by Toung Hamiltonian, owned by Allen Smith, Esq., of
Addison, Yt., and bred by Judge Larabee, of Shoreham, Yt.
Dam of Young Hamiltonian, by Leonidas, g dam by Bellfounder,
g dam of Sherman Black Hawk by Imported Matchem. 15J
hands high, weig'bs 1,080 lbs., color jet black, with small star in his
forehead. He has trotted a mile in less than 2.40. Is a compact,
well-made, excellent tempered horse, and moves in fine style. Is very
spirited, but perfectly tractable.
SHERMAN MORGAN DEFIANCE
Was foaled in 1849, the property of James Morse, of Haverhill,
N. H. Sired by Boston Tiger, g sire, Cock of the Rock, g g sire,
Sherman, gg g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Woodbury. This
horse is 16 hands high, weight 1,150 lbs., color black chestnut,
fine action and style. When one year old, he was purchased by
C. C. Smith, Esq., of Corinth, Yt,, who now owns him.
SIR CHARLES
Was foaled June 29th, 1852, the property of H. W. Bailey, of
Newbury, Yt. Sired by Coos Morgan. Dam by Morrill Mor-
312 THE MORGAN HORSE.
gan, g dam by Morgan Eagle. Height 15 bands, weight 975 lbs.,
color blood-bay, easy gaited, with fine style and action, heavy set
of limbs, pleasant temper, and good horse.
SHERMAN MORGAN 2d
Was foaled in 1845. Sired by Sherman Morgan 1st., g sire, Sher-
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Flint horse. 14|
hands high, weight 950 lbs., color dark chestnut. Has a fine figure,
easy action, gentle and spirited. Now owned by D. E. Lucy, of
Waterbury, Vt., and kept by him for a driving horse.
SCOTT HORSE
Was foaled in 1840; the property of J. L. Scott, of Newport, Vt.
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Scott horse is a dark" bay, 16 hands high, weight little less than
1,200 lbs., a compact well-made horse. He is now owned by Col.
Thomas Kent, of Orford, N. H.
SHIRTLIFF HORSE
Was foaled in 1847, the property of Moses Copp, of Stanstead,
C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam a bay about 16 hands high, and weighed about
1,000 lbs. Shirtliff horse is a dark bay, 15 hands high, and weighs
1,000 lbs. Has good style, is active and lively. He is now owned
in Kalamazoo, Mich.
STRANGER
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Mr. E. Slater, of Essex, Vt.
Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett horse, g g sire, Gifford,
g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a large
fine animal, said to be a Morgan, was a bay 15J hands high, and
weighed 1,100 lbs. Stranger is a dark chestnut, 14£ hands high,
weight 900 lbs. He is compact and muscular, very playful and
active. In February, 1855, he trotted at Hillsborough, N. Y.,
with several horse?, for a purse, making time in 2.58, and beating
all horses of his age, though beaten by a six years' old. Stranger
PEDIGREES. 313
is a fine horse, and gives promise of being fast. Sold, in Febru-
ary, 1855, to Dr. H. Renson, of Hinesburgh, who now owns him.
STEVENS HORSE
"Was bred in Piermont, N. H, by Moses Larned. Sired by One
Eye, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Bay color, weight
975 lbs. Was taken to Rhode Island. A fast horse. He was
advertised as raised by Jesse Johnson & Brothers, but he was not.
SELIM
Was foaled June 2, 1844, the property of J. Gibson, West Cam-
bridge, Mass. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Romeo. Selim is 15 J hands high,
and weighs a little under 1,100 lbs. His body is dark roan, with
black legs, mane, and tail. He is a good horse, and his stock prove
good. He is now owned by Jeremiah Gibson, at West Cambridge,
Mass.
SMITH MORGAN
Was foaled in June, 1850, the property of John Robinson, of An-
trim, N. H. Sired by Flint horse, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam a fine mare, owned by John Robinson, of Antrim,
N. H, known as the Robinson mare. This horse is light chestnut-
color, 16 J bauds high, form good, limbs heavy, and weighs 1,310
lbs. He is a showy, handsome traveller. His stock prove good.
SAWYER HORSE.
(see young burbank ;)
(or morgan traveller.)
SEARCHER
Was foaled in 1847, the property of Samuel Moore, of Shoreham,
Yt. Was sired by Barney Henry. Dam sired by Gifford, and noted
for her speed and endurance. Searcher is a dark bay, with black
legs, mane, and tail, and no white hairs ; is nearly 17 hands high
and weighs over 1,200. When four years old, he received the first
premium, in his class, at the Addison County Agricultural Fair.
He has a beautiful coat, a bold, fearless style of movement, and ex-
14
314 THE MORGAN HORSE.
cellent action for a horse of bis size. In the autumn of 1851, he
trotted a mile, at Middlebury, in less than three minutes, although
untrained. He is a very fine horse, and is now owned by Minor
Andrews, Esq., of Franklin Mills, Portags county, Ohio, where he
is acquiring an excellent reputation.
TWIN MORGAN
Was foaled in 1840 or '41 ; the property of Dix Whitney, of Brook-
field, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, a large
coarse brown mare, deficient in constitution. Twin Morgan weighs
950 lbs. ; head a little low, color brown ; a very fair horse. Went
to N. H.
TAYLOR HORSE
Was foaled the property of James Taylor, of Bolton, C. E.
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan.
Dam, a bay, about 16 hands high ; weighed about. 1,100 lbs; de-
scended from Le Boo. Taylor is a blood bay, 14 hands high, and
weighs about 1,000 lbs. ; style and action good.
When two years old, Mr. Taylor sold him to R. Bowker, Esq.,
of Mansonviile, C. E., who now owns him.
TECUMSEH
Was foaled 25th May, 1851 ; the property of II. F. Griffith, of
Tunbridge, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire
Justin Morgan. Dam by Young Bulrush 1st, g dam by Morgan
Eagle, g g dam by Ainsworth horse, g g g dam by Justin Morgan.
Tecumseh is a dark mahogany bay, 14i- hands high, and weighs
975 lbs. Received the first premium in the class of " Morgan
Crosses," when entered as three year's old at Yt. State Fair, at
Montpelier. He is now owned by H. F. Griffith, of Tunbridge,
Yt., and is a horse of very fine action and style.
TURNER'S BLACK HAWK
Was foaled June 2 2d, 1848 ; the property of S. T. Turner, o*
Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman,
g g sire Justin Morgan.
Dam was a beautiful bay, weighed about 1,050 lbs., and was bred
PEDIGREES. 815
by Payne Turner, Esq., of Essex Co., N. Y. Turner's Black
Hawk is a mahogany bay, 15J bands high ; weighs 1,100 lbs. ; has
good action and fine style. He is now in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
YERMONT MORGAN CHAMPION
Was foaled about 1826 ; the property of Mr. Woodruff, of Jeffer-
son, N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire Justin Morgan. He was 15
hands high, and weighed 1 ,150 lbs. ; color, black ; a horse of great
action, and a capital roadster. Could trot a mile in 3 minutes.
High carriage and smooth light movement. He was afterwards
owned by Judwine & Houghton, of Hardwick, Yt., and sold by
them to Mr. Lansing, of Lansingburgh, N. Y. Was purchased
and taken to Danville, Yt., in 1845, where he was kept till he died
in 1846. He had a fine head, and slightly Roman nose. His stock
command a high price, and many are fast.
YEEMONT
Was sired by Gilford, g sire Woodbury, g g sire Justin Morgan.
Dam, sired by Green Mountain 2d, g dam Phebe ; owned by J. L.
Woods. She was sired by a horse known in Mass. as Tom Mor-
gan, and noted for his speed and bottom. Tom Morgan was by
True Briton. Yermont received the first premium in his
class at the State Fair in Brattleboro, in 1854. He is dark
chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 950 lbs. A very close, compact
made horse. Now owned by Joseph Peters, of Bradford, Yt.
YERMONT 2d
Was foaled the property of Thomas Randall, of Danville, Yt.
Sired by Morgan Comet, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan«
Dam by Sherman, g dam by Justin Morgan, known as the Wood-
man mare. Yermont 2d weighs 925 lbs., is 14| hands high, and of
dark chestnut color. Head, eye and ear beautiful ; throat and
jowls very fine. Close, compact horse ; spirited and active ; style
not so high as some. Now owned by Danford Carpenter, of Wil-
loughby, Lake County, Ohio, and is a valuable animal.
YERMONT CHAMPION
Was foaled June 26th, 1844. Sired by Yermont Morgan Champion,
316 THE MORGAN HORSE.
g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, a thick-set Dutch
mare ; weighed about 1,100 lbs. Vermont Champion is black, 15
hands high, and weighs 975 lbs. He is a fine traveler, can trot a
mile in 3 minutes, and is a very fast walker. Limbs good size, flat,
bony, and muscular. Neck long and thick ; ears short and lively ;
he has a Roman nose. He is now kept in Marshfield, Vt., and is
owned by George M. and Benjamin Town.
VERMONTER
Was foaled in 1849 ; the property of Robbins Battell, of Norfolk;
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Mor-
gan. Dam, an English mare. Sold to William Starr, Esq., of
Burlington, Iowa. He is a very line horse, and we understand was
sold by Mr. Starr, in the spring of 1856, for $1,800.
VERMONT MORGAN.
(SEE WILEY COLT.)
VERMONT CHIEF
Was foaled June 24th, 1848 ; the property of Smith F. Kelley, of
Pittsford, Vt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire
Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by a Messenger horse called Majesty,
g dam by Magnum Bonum, g g dam by imported Yellow Bird.
Vermont Chief is a dark chestnut, 154 hands high, and weighs
1,075 lbs. He has a good figure and a good style of movement.
He received the first premium in his class when three years old, at
the Rutland County Agricultural Fair, and the second premium at
the Vermont State Fair, in 1855. He is now owned by Elisha S.
Kelley, Danby, Du Page county, Illinois.
WOODBURY 2d
Was foaled June 21st, 1847, the property of Luke Havens, Esq.,
of New Haven, Vt. Sired by the Wheeler horse, g sire, Hackett
horse, g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin
Morgan. Dam, a grey of medium size, sired by Hackett horse,
g dam by Woodbury. Woodbury 2d is a beautifully dappled gray,
14J hands high, and has weighed 1,020 lbs., but his fair average
PEDIGKEES. 317
weight is 950 lbs. His neck is rather longer than is usual in the
breed. His style is excellent, and he is a light, easy-stepping horse,
full of vigor and action. He is now owned by Joshua Scott, Esq.
Yergennes, Yt.
. WHEELER HORSE
"Was foaled in 1844, the property of Mr. Mead, of Cornwall, Yt.
Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Gifford. When a suckling
colt he was sold to Col. Nash, of New Haven, Yt., who soon after
sold him to Freeman Wheeler, of New Haven. Wheeler horse is
about 14 hands high, of a dark chestuut color, and weighs about
950 lbs. He is an exceedingly active, hardy, and vigorous horse.
In 1854 Mr. Wheeler took him to Wisconsin.
WHITE MOUNTAIN
Was foaled in 1852, the property of S. H. Edgerly, of Manchester,
N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire,
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Brooks horse,
g dam by Cock of the Rock. Height, 15 hands ; weight, 975 lbs. ;
color, dark chestnut. Time, 2 min. 50 sec. A very pleasant-tem-
pered horse, of good style, and a good driver. Still owned by Mr.
Edgerly.
WILEY COLT
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Mr. Hutton, of Canton, St
Lawrence Co., N. Y. Sired by Mountain Eagle, g sire, Sherman,
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Barnum's Cock of the Rock.
Wiley Colt is a fine bay, black mane, tail, and legs, 15 J hands high,
and weighs 1,050 lbs. When a suckling colt Hutton sold him to
Mr. Wiley, of Canton, N. Y. In August, 1853, Mr. Wiley sold
him to Hon. Milo Bennett, Burlington, Yt., w r ho sent him to Yir-
ginia, and kept him in Augusta County till the autumn of 1855,
when he sold him to a company at Greensburgh, Penn. He was a
prime horse, and his stock is good.
WELLINGTON HORSE
Was foaled in June, 1853, the property of Nathan Stone, of New
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Slier-
318 the Morgan horse.
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. This horse is 14 hands high, and
weighs 900 lbs. ; color, light chestnut, with light mane and tail.
His form and action very like his sire, Comet. He is now owned
by Mr. Oliver Wellington, Phillipstown, Mass.
WHITE MOUNTAIN MORGAN
Was foaled in 1834, the property of John A. Willard, of Lancaster,
N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Ham, an
English blood mare, weighing 1,150 l'bs. White Mountain Morgan
is 15 1 hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. ; color, dark chestnut. He
has been kept most of his life at St. Johnsbury and vicinity. He
is a very compact, well-shaped horse, excellent head and neck, fine
style of movement, and a good traveler, but not so much spirit a3
some. A very hardy and enduring horse. His stock are not de-
ficient in spirit, and many of them have a great deal of life, and
are generally excellent animals. He is now owned in Townsend, Yt.
WILD-AIR
Was foaled in 1850, the property of Lyman Pease, of Bridport,
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan. Ham, a large, powerful mare, sired by Harris' Hamiltonian;
15| hands high ; weight, 1,100 lbs. ; black color, with three white
feet, and a star in his face. Went to Ohio in the spring of 1856.
He is a fine horse.
WINDSOR MORGAN
Was foaled the property of Charles W. Barker, of Henniker, N. H.
Sired by Burbank horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor-
gan ; 15 hands high; weight, 1,095 lbs.; color, dark bay. Went
to Wisconsin when very old.
WAY HORSE
Was foaled in 1849, the property of Joseph Way, of Derby, Yt.
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam, sired by Woodbury. Way horse is a blood bay, 144 hands
high, and weighs 975 lbs. His mane and foretop arc very heavy,
the former nearly three, and the latter nearly two feet long. Style
and action good.
PEDIGREES. 319
WOODBURY
"Was foaled in 1816. Sired by Justin Morgan. For further par-
ticulars, see Chapter Seven.
WALKER HORSE
Was foaled in 1835, the property of Wm. Walker, of Hartland, Vt.
Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Tally Ho.
Walker horse is 16 hands high, and weighs about 1,300 lbs. ; blood
bay, with black mane and tail ; strong, compact, and muscular
horse. Style and action good for one of his size. Still owned by
Mr. Walker.
WHALEBONE,
Formerly known as the Clark horse, was foaled about the year
1827, the property of Mr. Bradley, of Fryeburg, Maine. Was
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Chestnut color, 15 hands
high, and weighs 975 lbs. He was the sire of Whalebone, who, in
double harness, with Lantern, trotted a match on Long Island, in
June, 1855, against Stella and Alice Gray, mile heats, beating
them, in 2 min. 42 sec.
He has the reputation of being a fine horse ; but we are unable
to give any more particulars concerning him. He is nOw owned in
Turner, Maine.
YOUNG BURBANK 1st
Was foaled in 1835, the property of David Tucker, of Newbury.
"Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by
Post-boy. Sold, when sucking, to Joseph Sawyer, of Newbury,
who kept him till he was six or seven years old, and sold him to Mr,
Farrar, of Bucksfield, Maine, who, we think, has him now. Height
14A- hands ; weight, nearly 1,100 lbs. ; color, chestnut. Good style
and action, and a good stock horse.
YOUNG BULRUSH 2d
Was foaled in 1835, the property of Ellis Bliss, of Bradford, Vt.
Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a good mare and
fast trotter, brought from Maine.
Young Bulrush 2d was 16 hands high, and weighed 1,200 lbs.
820 THE MOEGAN HOKSE.
Color, bright bay. Style not so good and built not so compact aj.
some, but high-spirited and a good roadster. He was a fast trotter,
and one of the strongest-going horses. Went South, when young.
YOUNG BULRUSH 3d
Was foaled in 1843, the property of Evan Collis, who kept him
during his life. After his death the administrators of his estate
sold him to Edwin Collis, in 1855. Sired by Bulrush, g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Imported Napoleon. Height, 14£
hands; weight, 975 lbs. ; color, dapple gray. Yery good horse.
YOUNG BULRUSH 4th
Was foaled in 1843, the property of Thomas Worthin, of Thetford,
V.t. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Cincin-
nati Morgan. Now owned in Roxbury, Mass., by Mr. Martin ;
14| hands high ; weight, 950 lbs. ; color, dapple gray.
YOUNG AMERICA
Was foaled in June, 1851. Sired by Farmers' Beauty, g sire, Gif-
ford, g g sire, Woodbury, gg g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a black,
by Sherman. Young America is 15 hands high ; weighs 1,000
lbs., and is a jet black. Good style and action. Is now owned by
John S. Carr, of Goffstown, N. H. Time, 3.5.
YOUNG AMERICA 2d
Was foaled June 17th, 1852, the property of J. Ide, of St. Johns-
bury, Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Green Mountain 1st, g dam by
Bailey horse. Height, 15 hands ; weight, 950 lbs. ; color, dapple
chestnut. The first premium on Sherman Morgans of this class,
was awarded to him at the State Fair, at Montpelier, 1853. Sym-
metrical figure, and very good action.
YOUNG MORGAN EMPIRE
Was foaled July, 1852, the property of Jonas Cutter, of Jeffrey,
N. H. Sired by Morgan Empire, g sire, Green Mountain 2d : g g
sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire Justin Morgan.
Dam sired by Flying Morgan.
PEDIGREES. 321
YOUNG MORGAN ECLIPSE
Was foaled in 1853, the property of Jesse Johnson & Brothers, of
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Caesar,
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Young
Morgan Emperor, g dam by Bulrush. Took the first premium in
his class at the Vermont State Fair, in 1855.
YOUNG BURBANK 2d
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Charles W. Barker, of Hills-
borough Bridge, N. H. Sired by the Barker horse, g sire, Wood-
bury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by a son of Sherman.
Dark chestnut color ; weighs 975 lbs. Still owned by Mr. Barker.
YANKEE BOY
Was foaled 3d of June, 1852, the property of Harvey Yale, of
Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Morgan Henry, g sire Barney Henry.
Dam by Hackett horse ; 15 hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. ; color,
bay. A very pleasant-tempered and good-moving horse. In 1855
Mr. Yale took him to Franklin Grove, Lee Co., Illinois, where he
now is.
YOUNG BLACK HAWK
Was foaled in 1843, the property of James Smith, of Sharon, N. H.
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g Justin Morgan. Dam,
a deep bay, raised in Pennsylvania, and sired by the trotting horse
Andrew Jackson. Young Black Hawk is a coal black, 15 J hands
high, and weighs 975 lbs. He has a good figure and excellent
spirit and action. Time 2.50. Is now owned by J. E. Maynard,
Lowell, Mass.
YOUNG MORGAN EMPEROR
Was foaled the property of Mr. Woods, of Haverhill, N. H.
Sired by Emperor, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam by North Star. He is a blood bay, 14J hands high, weighs
1,025 pounds. Is a compact, good moving and excellent horse.
He is now owned by Jonas Cutter, of Jeffrey, N. H
YOUNG CAESAR
Was foaled the property of Jesse Johnson & Brothers, of Brad
l r Q*
322 THE MOEGAN HORSE.
ford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Csssar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire,
Justin Morgan. Dam by Morgan Emperor. He was 15£ hands
high, weighed 1,075 lbs. and his color a dull black. He was a
good horse. He died at Guildhall, Yt., in 1853, the property of
F. W. Smith.
YOUNG FLYING MORGAN
"Was foaled in 1851. Sired by North Star, g sire, Morgan Em-
peror, g g sire, Bulrush, ggg sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a Mor-
gan mare, sired by Flying Morgan. Weight, 960 lbs. ; color, bright
bay. Now owned by Benj. M. Glines, of Byfield, Mass. Time, 2.45.
YOUNG HUBBARD
Was sired by Latham Horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire Justin
Morgan. Dam by Gifford. Weight, 1,025 lbs. ; color, chestnut.
Mr. Hubbard bought him of Judge Blodgett, of Chelsea, Yt.
YOUNG LATHAM
Was foaled the property of Beyer Latham, of Lyme, N. H. Sired
by Latham horse, g sire Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan.
Dam by Post-boy : 15J hands high ; weight, 1,150 lbs. ; color,
chestnut ; good action, and a fine stock horse.
YOUNG MORRILL
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Mr. Smith, of Cabot, Yt.
Sired by Morrill horse, g sire, Jennison Horse, g g sire One Eye,
ggg sire, Bulrush, g ggg sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sher-
man ; 18 hands high ; weight, 1,160 lbs. ; color, dark brown. Mr.
Smith sold him, when three years old, to Mr. Morrill, and Morrill to
Messrs. Town & Trowe, Barre, Yt. He received the first premium
at Yermont State Fair, at Montpelier, 1853 ; also the first premium
among Bulrush Morgans, at Rutland, 1855. Was then taken to
the National Exhibition at Boston, Oct., 1855, and entered in class
for general use, where he received the first premium of $200.
Time, 2.38. A heavy, close, compact and enduring horse.
YOUNG BULRUSH.
(see one eye, also, allen horse )
APPENDIX.
The following pedigrees of stallions of some note,
although, not Morgans, are given because they have
been mentioned in the preceding chapter, or have left
a good deal of valuable stock, and their blood been
more or less mingled with that of some horses called
Morgan.
COCK OF THE BOOK
Was foaled in 1814, and bred by Nathaniel Coles, of Long Island.
He was sired by Duroc, g sire, Imported Diomed. His dam,
Romp, was full sister to Miller's Damsel, the dam of American
Eclipse, and was sired by Messenger ; his g dam, the imported
PotSos, mare, bred by Lord Grosvener, sired by PotSos, and Pot8os
by the great Eclipse ; his g dam, by Gimcrack, his g g dam, by
Cripple, and Cripple by the Godolphin Arabian. Cock of the
Rock ran several successful four mile races against good horses,
but was beaten by Betsey Richards, on Long Island, and by Sir
Walter at Montreal. About 1820, he was purchased by Gen. Bar-
num, of Vergennes, Yt., who took him to that place and kept him
until 1828 or '29, when he sold him, and he was taken to Tennessee,
where he died.
SIR WALTER
Was sired by Hickory, g sire, imported Whip, g g sire, Saltram, g
g g sire, English Eclipse, dam, Nettletop, by Diomed. He was not
kept in this State, but in Canada near the line. He was an excel-
lent four mile racer.
QUICKSILVER.
The Quicksilver referred to in the foregoing pages is not the Quick-
silver of the Stud Book, first called Snap and sired by Medley, but
(323)
324 APPENDIX.
is another horse of the same name, bred by Gorhain Parsons, of
Walpole, New Hampshire, and sired by Dey of Algiers, an Arabian.
.CARSON HORSE.
This horse acquired some celebrity in the eastern part of the State,
on account of his stock. We know little of him, except that he
was sired by Quicksilver.
HENRY
"Was, we believe, a thorough-bred horse, but we are unable to give
his pedigree. He was a fine animal, and received several premiums
in New York and elsewhere. He was kept near Lake Champlain
until about 1850. He left some good stock.
He was a beautiful bay, of good size and fine action.
YOUNG HAMILTONIAN
Was bred by Judge Larabee, of Shoreham, Yt., sired by Bishop's
Hamiltonian, and he by imported Messenger. Dam, by Leonidas,
g dam, by Bellfounder.
Young Hamiltonian was long owned by Allen Smith, Esq., of
Addison, Yt. He was a blood bay, about 15 J hands high, and left
some good stock. We are unable to give the blood of the dam of
Bishop's Hamiltonian.
BARNEY HENRY,
Or the Hatch Hill Henry, as he is sometimes called, has long been
owned by George Barney, of Whitehall, N. Y., and is now over
twenty years old.
He has acquired well merited fame on account of the excellence
of his stock, which usually have plenty of bone and muscle, are
hardy, spirited travellers but are not always kind and gentle. In
his advertisement, Mr. Barney states that he was " sired by Signal,
out of a Messenger mare." But what was the blood of Signal we
do not know. It has often been said that Signal was a thorough-
bred horse, raised by L. G. Morris, Esq., of Fordham, N. Y., but
Mr. Morris informs us that he never raised or owned such a horse.
APPENDIX. 325
Whatever be his pedigree, he has proved himself a very fine
horse, as his appearance indicates.
He is a dapple bay, 16 hands high and weighs about 1150 lbs.
He is now owned in Hubbarton, Yt.
POST BOY, BY GABRIEL,
Was foaled in 1800, the property of Mordecai Hall. Sired by
Gabriel ; an imported horse bred by the Earl of Ossory, and sired
by Doriinont, his dam by Highflyer, g dam, by Snap.
Gabriel was brought to Maryland in 1779, and lived but one
year. Post Boy was purchased by Gen. Ridgley, who trained and
ran him with much success, beating many of the best horses of his
day. among them Hamlintonian, Miller's Damsel, First Consul, Maria,
and Lavinia. In Oct. 1809, in a race at Washington, with Hick-
ory, he fell, broke his leg, and soon after died. He was never kept
for stock, and we believe, left no descendants ; and we give his pedi-
gree and this description of him because he has been confounded
with Post Boy, the distinguished son of Henry, and his pedigree
sometimes ffiven when the latter horse is meant.
& j
POST BOY, BY HENRY,
Was foaled in 1831, sired by Henry, dam, Garland, by Duroc, was
a chestnut horse, of much note and a successful racer. He was
never kept in this State, but some of his descendants have been.
The few horses we have seen of this stock were light limbed, and
light bodied, with fine heads, and light, graceful action ; but not re-
markable for hardiness or endurance.
SIR CHARLES
Was foaled about 1815, the property of James Cock, of Oyster
Bay, Long Island. Sired by Buroc, g sire, Diomed, g g sire, Flori-
zel, g g g sire, King Herod ; dam, by Plato, and he by Messenger,
g dam, part thorough-bred, but her pedigree is not known.
When six years old he was purchased by David Hill, Esq., of
Bridport, Yt., and kept by him many years.
826 APPENDIX.
When very old, Mr. Hill's son took him to Madison County, N.
Y., where he died. lie was a blood bay, with black legs, mane
and tail, and 15 k hands high ; was a bold-looking, fine-moving
horse, and left some good stock.
Some of the descendants of the celebrated rivals, Henry and
Eclipse, being scattered throughout all the Northern States, their
pedigree may be found convenient as a matter of reference, though
we do not know of any immediate descendants of these horses that
have been owned in this State.
ECLIPSE
Was foaled at Dosoris, Queens County, Long Island, on the 25th
of May, 1814, the property of Gen. Nathaniel Coles. Sired by
Duroc, g sire, Diomed, g g sire, Florizel, g g g sire, King Herod ;
dam, the celebrated Miller's Damsel, by imported Messenger, g
dam, the English Pot8os mare, sired by English Eclipse, g g dam,
by Gimcrack. When five years old he was purchased by Mr. Yan
Ranst, who was his entire or principal owner, during the whole of
his racing career.
He was chestnut, with a star in his forehead, and near hind foot
white. Was 15 J hands high and a compact heavy limbed horse.
As a racer he was one of the most successful that ever appeared
on the turf in this country, beating in the eight races which he ran
some of the most celebrated horses of his time ; Sea Gull, Little
John, Fearnought, Lady Lightfoot, Flag of Truce, Sir Walter, Sir
Charles and Henry.
HENRY
Was foaled the 17th of June, 1819, the property of Lemuel Long,
near Halifax, North Carolina. Sired by Sir Archy, g sire, Dio-
med, g g sire, Florizel, g g g sire, King Herod ; dam by Diomed, g
dam, by Bell-air, g g dam, by Pilgrim, gg g dam, Yaliant, g g g g
dam by Janus, g g g g g dam, by Jolly Roger, who was imported
into Virginia. Jolly Roger was sired by Roundhead, a son of Fly-
ing Childers.
Henry was a chestnut, with small star in the forehead and one
hind foot white, his mane and tail was about two shades lighter
PEDIGREES. 327
than his body ; fourteen hands three and a half inches high — was
symmetrical, compact, pony-built horse, and left some good stock,
of which the most noted was Post Boy. '
Though not as much esteemed as a racer or breeder as some of
the sons of Sir Archy, he was yet a very fine horse, and gained a
lasting reputation by his contest with Eclipse, in which, although
beaten, he made the first heat of four miles in 7m. 37s., which was
then and for many years after, the quickest time on record.
WILD AIR
Was foaled in 1753, and was imported by Mr. DeLancey, in 1763
or 1764. He was sired by Cade the best son of the Godolphin
Arabian ; his dam was by Steady, a fleet son of Flying Childers,
his g dam was by Partner ; Partner by Jigg and Jigg by the
Byerley Turk.
Wildair was a horse of high bleod and great "performance ; but
he was beat by Mr. Warren's Sportsman, before he left England.
In this country he was sire to Col. Sims' Wildair Sultana and
other noted racers. He was taken back to England about the
year 1772. His stock proved excellent and were long in high re-
pute.
LIST OF MORGAN HORSES.
PAGE
PA3E
Alban Horse
262
Baxter Horse
269
Arabian Morgan
263
Bardwell Horse
272
Ashuelot Morgan,
262
Benton Horse
272
Allen Horse
262
Billy Root
271
Andrews Horse
262
Bird Horse
268
American Eagle
263
Bliss Horse
• 267
Andrew Jackson
263
Blue Morgan
191,193
Addison
263
Bonaparte
266
Bay Morgan
265-
Boston Tiger
268
Bay State Morgan 1st
270
Brock Horse
269
Bay State Morgan 2d
270
Brown Morgan
270
Bailey Horse
265
Belle of Saratoga
194
Barker Horse
179, 266
Bulrush 144, 160, 163,
167,264
Bartholomew Horse
266
Bulrush Morgan
264
Baclielder Horse
263
Buchanan Horse
267
Blanchard Horse
269
Burhank Horse
267
Black Morgan
270
Bussorah
268
Black Lion
271
Clarke Horse
273
Black Jack
272
Clarke Horse
276
Black Ralph
193
Charles Smith Horse
273
Black Hawk, 172, 178,
179, 191
Crane Horse
179, 273
193, 264
Chamberlain Horse
274
Black Hawk Chief
266
Carpenter's Gray
274
Black Hawk Eclipse
267
Champlain
275
Black Hawk Morgan
267
Champion Black Hawk
86,87
Black Hawk Napoleon
259
275
Black Hawk Prince
270
Charley
275
Black Hawk. Jr., 1st;
272
Chicago Jack
194
Black Hawk, Jr., 2d
272
Carleton Horse
276
Black Hawk Maid
191,193
Challenge
276
[329]
330
LIST OF MORGAN HORSES.
Childs Horse
Clements Horse
Clifton
Cock of the Rock
Colby Horse
Coos Morgan
Comet
Davis Horse
Deerfield Morgan
Don Juan
Dubois Horse
Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen 2d
Emperor
Enfield Horse
Esty Horse
Falcon
"Falcon 2d
Farmer's Beauty
Farrav Horse
Fen ton Horse
Flint Horse
Fox
Fox Morgan
Flying Cloud 1st
Flying Cloud 2d
PAGE
273
274
274
273
273
275, 311
276
277
277
276
277
192, 193, 277
278
277
278
279
281
281
281
280
146, 147, 279
281
'280
281
279
279
194,195,279
Flying Morgan
Flying Morgan Sprout 280
Flying Morgan of Petersham 281
Gates Horse 282
Granite State Morgan 285
Granite State 286
Green Mountain 1st 86, 87, 172
282
Green Mountain 2d 282
Green Mountain 3d 285
Green Mountain, Jr 283
General Gifford 1st 72, 283
General Gifford 2d 283
General Gifford 3d 285
General Gifford, Jr
General -Taylor
General Cook Horse
Gliises Horse
Gifford
Gifford Morgan
Gifford Morgan, Jr
Goodale Horse
Goodale Horse
Golden Eagle
Gray Hawk
Hawkins Horse
Hall Horse
Harlow Horse
Hackett Horse
Hampden
Hebard Horse
Henry Clay
Hubbard Horse
Hubbard Horse 2d
Huckins Horse
Ives Horse
Justin Morgan 25,
Jemie
Jerry
Karby Horse
Kent's Morgan
Kent Colt
Know Nothing
Kite
Knight's Horse
Lady Sherman
Lady Sutton,
Latham Horse
Lawton Horse
Lemon Fair
Lone Star
May Fly
Matchless
Major
PAGE
285
284
283
284
179, 284
73
285
282
283
286
195
146
286
287
195, 287
287
287
195
286
288
287
288
26, 92, 175
288
288
289
289
289
194
289
288
195
191, 192
289
290
290
290
291
292
298
LIST OF MORGAN HORSES.
331
PAGE
PAGE
Major Gifford
299
Morgan Fusion
301
Melvin Horse
293
Model Morgan
292
Merriman Horse
294
Mountaineer
302
Messer Horse
300
Moody Horse
291
Morgan Lion
290
Mountain Eagle
299
Morgan Trotter
179,291
Morrill Horse
301
Morgan King
291
Myrick Horse
300
Morgan Rat
291
Nearing Horse
302
Morgan Tigei
291
Newton Horse
302
Morgan Csesai
195
, 292
Newell's Gray
302
Morgan Star
293
Nicholas
303
Morgan Champion
293
Nimrod
303
Morgan Napoleon
293
Niles Horse
303
Morgan Comet
293 :
, 301
North Horse
302
Morgan Chief
294
North Star
302
Morgan Figure
294
Old Morrell Horse
304
Morgan Postboy
294
One Eye
303
Morgan Defiance
294
Orleans Flying Morgan
303
Morgan Dragon
294
Paul Clifford
304
Morgan Eagle
192 ;
, 295
Peacock Morgan
305
Morgan Emperor 179.
194
, 295
Peters' Morgan
306
Morgan Emperor 2d
296
Parks Horse
306
Morgan Eclipse
295
Pike Horse
304
Morgan Empire
296
Pizarro
192
Morgan Hunter
296
Pleasant Gale
306
Morgan Chief
296
Plato
305
Morgan Robbin
297
Pope Horse
305
Morgan Rattler
297,
, 298
President
306
Morgan Recruit
297
Prince Albert
304
Morgan Tiger 1st
297
Putnam Horse
304
Morgan Bucephalus
293
Putnam Horse 2d
305
Morgan General
298
Randolph Morgan
306
Morgan Sultan
299
Ramsey Horse
307
Morgan Trustee
299
Raven
308
Morgan Chieftain
299
Revenge
308
Morgan Black Hawk
300
Rip Van Winkle
307
Morgan Traveller
300
Rising Sun
309
Morgan Traveller 2d
300
Robin
307
Morgan Tally Ho
195.
, 300
Rolland Horse
307
Morgan Tiger 2d
301
Romeo 1st
308
332
LIST OF MORGAN HORSES.
Romeo 2d
Rounds Colt
Rowel Horse
Royal Morgan
Sawyer Horse
Scott Horse
Searcher
Selim
PAGE
308
307
309
179, 309
313
312
313
313
Sherman 144, 150, 155, 163, 169
176, 178, 179
Sherman Morgan 1st 310
Vermont Morgan Champion
Vermont Chief
Way Horse
Walker Horse
Wellington Horse
Wheeler Horse
White Mountain
White Mountain Morgan
Whalebone
Wiley Colt
Wild Air
Sherman Morgan 2d
312
Windsor Morgan
Sherman King
311
Woodbury
Sherman Morgan Defiance
311
Woodbury 2d
Sherman Black Hawk 193,
194
Yankee Boy
311
Young America
Shirtliff Horse
312
Young America 2d
Sir Charles
311
Young Bulrush
Smith Morgan
313
Young Bulrush 2d
Stevens Horse
313
Young Bulrush 3d
Stockbridge Chief 193.
,311
Young Bulrush 4th
Stranger
312
Young Burbank 1st
Taylor Horse -
314
Young Burbank 2d
Tecumseh
314
Young Black Hawk
Turner's Black Hawk
314
Young Caesar
Twin Morgan
314
Young Flying Morgan
Vermont
315
Young Hubbard
Vermont 2d
315
Young Latham
Vermonter
316
Young Morrill
Vermont Boy
192
Young Morgan Emperor
Vermont Champion
315
Young Morgan Eclipse
Vermont Morgan
316
Young Morgan Empire
PAGB
315
316
318
319
317
317
317
318
319
317
318
318
319
316
321
320
320
322
319
320
320
319
321
321
321
322
322
322
322
321
321
320
LIST OF HORSES
(not morgans)
MENTIONED IN THIS WORK,
PAGE
,
PAGE
Apollo
22
Engineer
24
Barney Henry
324
Fanny Jenks
190
Betty
177
Flora Temple
194
Beppo
392
Fag Down
81
Bloodv Buttocks
177
Forest Maid
192
Blank
22
Florizel
22
Byerly Turk
22, 127
Gabriel
325
Blockesby
177
Girncrack
177, 178, 165
Celia
177
Gray Eagle
173, 191
Childers
22
Godolphin Arabian
19, 177
Cock of the Rock
25, 323
Greswood's Partner
177
Carson Horse
324
Greyhound
177
Croft's Partner
22, 127
Hamiltonian
22, 25, 81
Cripple
177
Hambletonian
22,23
Columbus
193
Henry
25, 324, 326
Curwen's Bay Barb
127
Jigg
22, 127
Dey of Algiers
25
King Herod
22
Diomed
22, 165
Lady Miller
81
Duroc
25, 165
Lady Moscow
191
Dying Sergeant
191
Lee Boo
194
Eclipse 25,
165, 356
Lady Suffolk
191, 194
[333]
334
LIST OF HORSES NOT MORGANS.
PAGE
P.AGE
Lady Swan
192
Shark
22
Leonides
324
Sir Walter
25, 323
Lindsey's Arabian
126
Sir Charles
25, 325
Messenger 23,
24, 25, 81, 165
Soto
192
Miller's Damsel
24
Sal
191
Miss Elliott
177
Sir Archy
22, 165
Mambrinc
23,81
Sigual
324
Murdoch
193, 194
Tartar
22
Postboy
25, 325
Tippoo Saib
81
Quicksilver
323
Tramp
195
Regulus
24
True Briton
101, 103,
116, 127
Revenge
144, 146, 148
Turf
24
Rose of Washington 192
Whalebone
195
Sampson
24
Wild Air
104, 327
Sport
127
Young Hamiltonian
324
Spectator
22
INDEX.
PAGE
Agricultural Fairs, training for exhibition at - 233
" " trotting matches at 196
Arabian Horses, origin and Classification - - - 12
Arabian Horse, first importation of into England" - - 18
Affidavit of John Steams concerning Justin Morgan - - 97
America, breeds of horses in - - - - . 21
Andalusian horses - - - . . 15, 22
Associations for improving the breed of horses - - 216
Barb, characteristics of the - - - - 12, 15
Breaking horses ----._ 219
Breed of horses, best methods of improving ... 200
Breeding of horses, medium size, best for - - - 213
Breeding animals, selection of - - - - . 205
Business horse, character and traits required for - - 55
Bulrush, history of - - - - . . 160
Canadian horses --.... 21
Certificate of Committee of Vermont State Ag. Soc. awarding
first premium to D. C. Linsley for Essay on Morgan Horses 8
Certificate of David Goss to Portrait of Justin Morgan - 9
" Solo. Steele " " " - 9
" Dan'l Baldwin " " " - 9
Cleveland Bays ------ 20
Characteristics of the Morgan Horse - 72-91
Chinese horses ------ 14
Criticisms on Morgan Horses - 72-91
[335]
336 INDEX.
P.AGS
Coach horse, English ------ 20
Conestoga horse - ----- 21
Color of a good horse ----- 62
Correspondence relative to Origin of Morgan Horse - - 98
Dams, Arabs, trace the pedigrees of horses through the - 13
Draft horse, English varieties - - - - 20
Dam of Justin Morgan - - - 125
Darley, Arabian, imported into England - - - - 19
Diomed ....... 22
Driving upon the Eoad ..... 239, 243
Dongola horses ------ 13
Dutch horses 14
Eclipse, description of ----- 60
English Race Horse, deterioration of - - • 36, 38
English Horses ------ 17
Egypt, the horse is traced to - - - - - 12
F'nland Horses - - - - - - 16
Flanders, importation of horses from, into England - - 18
Feeding and driving on the Road .... 238
Fenton Horse, history of ..... 147
Flemish horses 14
French horses ... - - 15, 22
German Horses - - - - - - -16
German "running horses" imported into England - - 17
General GifFord, the representative of the race - - 72, 73
Gifford Morgan 73
Gimcrack, Memoir of- - - - -177
Godolphin Arabian, imported into England - - 19
Hawkins horse, history of ..... 146
Hackney, English ------ 19
Hamiltonian horse, pedigree of 22
Hack horses, kind most sought for ... 47
Harness, qualities of a horse to appear well in - - - 61
Helmsley Turk, imported into England 18
History of Hawkins horse ..... 146
History of Fenton horse ..... 147
INDEX.
337
PAGE
History of the Horse .....
9
History and descriptions of Stallions sired by Justin Morgan
144
History of Justin Morgan ....
.
131-143
History of Revenge
- 148
Hunter, the English -
_
19,40
History of Woodbury .....
- 156
" Bulrush .....
_
160
Horses (not Morgan), List of -
- 333
Horse, the companion and servant of man
- 30
Horses, Arabian -
_
12
" Dongola ----..
- 13
Toorky ...
-
14
Chinese -
- 14
Persian -
_
14
" Flemish ---._.
- 14
" Dutch
.
14
" Italian ---___
- 15
" Neapolitan -
_
16
" Andalusian -
- 15
" German -
_
16
" Hungarian -
- 16
Swedish -
_
16
Russian ----._
- 17
" English --'-__
17
" Conestoga -
- 21
" Canadian r - _ _ _
.
21
" Kind most sought for -
- 44
India, horses of
m
14
Italian horses ......
- 15
Indiana, character of horses in
.
26
Iceland, horses of -
- 16
Importation of horses from the Levant into England
-
19
" German horses into England
- 17
" Arabian horses " - -
-
18
" horses from Flanders into England
- 18
" Darley Arabian "
-
19
Justin Morgan, Memoir and description of
L31-143
" Owners of -
-
140
Death of -
- 142
338 INDEX.
PAGE
Justin Morgan, Dam of 103, 125
Eeported Sire of - - 101, 103, 116
Justin Morgan 2d, Letter from - - - - 99
Kentucky, character of the horses of - - - 26
Letter from Justin Morgan 2d - - - - 99, 104
George Barnard ----- 97
M. O. Walker, 89
Mr. Weissinger ----- 102
Frederic A. Weir ----- 102
Milo June ----- 88
List of Morgan horses mentioned .... 328
" horses (not Morgan) mentioned - 333
Morgan Stallions, pedigrees and description of - - - 260
Messenger, pedigree of -----, **»
Morgan horses, performances of - - - - 185-199
" present value of 196
" origin of - - - - ■ - 92
" list of 328
" a distinct breed - 1
" hardiness and endurance of - - 1
" peculiar adaptation to the Eoad and General use 63
" instance of their endurance 65
description of - - - - 66
differ from the Canadian, - - - HO
" different families of, characteristics - - 165
" but three distinct families of - - 167
stock in Vermont - 175
High Prices of 197
Narragansett Pacer - - - - - - 22
Neapolitan horses ------ 16
New England character, horses of - - - - 25
New York character, horses of - - - - 25
Norman horses - "» - - - - 15
Omnibus horses, kind of horses most sought for - - 47
Origin of the Morgan Horse - - - - - 92
Ohio, character of horses of -
26
INDEX. 339
PAGE
Pennsylvania, character of horses of 26
Persian horses ---.._ 14
Performances of Morgan horses - 185-199
Preparation for exhibition - - 233
Pedigree of Hamiltonian horse - - - - - 22
" of Messenger - 23
" of Morgan stallions .... 260-322
" of Hawkins horse ----- 146
" of Fenton horse ----- 147
" of Revenge ----- 148
" of Sherman - - - - - - 150
" of Woodbury - - - - - 156
" of Bulrush 160
Purchasing horses ---_.- 250
Paces established at Hyde Park - - - 18
Paces closed by Cromwell ----- 19
Revenge, history of ... - - 148
Riding manly and healthful exercise 45
Roadsters ... ... 50
Russian horses -,----- 17
Selection of breeding animals ... - 205
Services, change in kind of, required - - - - 30, 34
Services rendered by the horse - 29
SirArchy - 22
Sherman, history of ----- - 150
Southern States, character of horses of 27
Spanish horses ------ 12, 15, 18
Sporting horses, demand for - 49
Stallions sired by Justin Morgan - 144
Swedish horses ------ 16
Size, medium, best for breeding - 213
Size best adapted for service - 88
Tartar horses -------17
Toorkomans, horses of 14
Toorky breed of horses ------ 14
Toorkistan, horses of 14
Trotter preferred to the racer - - - - - 80
340 INDEX.
PAGE
Trotting matches at Agricultural Fairs - - 196
Truck horses ...... 48
True Briton, reputed sire of Justin Morgan - - 101, 116
Trotting matches, the first in America . - 80
Unsoundness ------ 252
White Turk, purchase of ----- 18
Wild horses, where found ----- 20
Woodbury, history of - 156
Weight of Morgan stallions - 179
All the Boolcs on this Catalogue sent oy mail, to any part
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Boussingault's (J. B.) Rural Economy,
In its relations with Chemistry, Physics, and Meteorology; or, Chemistry applied
to Agriculture. By J. B. Boussingault. Translated, with Notes, etc., by George
Law, Agriculturist.
" The work is the fruit of a long life of study and experiment, and its perusal
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Thompson (R. D.) on the Food of Animals.
Experimental Researches on the Food of Animals and the Fattening of Cattle;
with remarks on the Food of Man. Based upon experiments undertaken by order
of the British Government, by Robert Dundas Thompson, MJ)., Lecturer on Prac-
tical Chemistry, University of Glasgow. ?5 cts.
Richardson on Bogs: their Origin and Varieties.
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Also, Complete Instructions as to Treatment under Disease. By H. D. Richardson.
Illustrated with numerous wood engravings. 25 cts. paper; cloth, 50 cts.
This is not only a cheap, but one of the best works ever published on the Dog.
Liebig's (Justus) Familiar Letters on Chemistry,
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The Dog and Gun.
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Johnston's (J. F. W.) Elements of Agricultural Chemistry
and Geology. Wth a Complete Analytical and Alphabetical Index, and an
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Morgan Horses; their History, Management, Breeding, &e.,
&c By D. 0. Llnsley. With Portraits. Price, $1 25.
SAXTON'S
f Mtlr itrflhs of ItoiI ani> gomtstit dfcffKMj.
.4# arranged and adapted to Vie Use of American Farmers.
Price 25 Cents each*
Hogs;
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With illustrations— 12mo.
The Hive and the Honey Bee;
"With plaiu directions for obtaining a considerable Annual Inacme from tins branch of
Eural Economy; also an Account of the Di-eases of Bees, and their Remedies, and
Eemarks as to their Enemies, and the best mo le of protecting the Hives from their at-
tacks. By H. D. Eichardson. With illustrations.
Domestic Fowls;
Their Natural History, Breeding, Rearing, and General Management. By H. D.
Eichardson, author of " The Natural History of the Fossil Deer," &c. With Illus-
trations.
The Horse;
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The Eose ;
The American Rose Culturist; being a Practical Treatise on the Propagation, Cultiva-
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The Pests of the Farm ;
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certain Destruction of every description of Vermin. With numerous illustrations on
Wood.
An Essay on Manures;
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for their Premium. By Samuel H. Dana.
The American Bird Fancier;
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Chemistry Made Easy.
For the Use of Farmers. By J. Topham.
Elements of Agriculture.
Translated from the French, and Adapted to the use of American Farmers. By F. G.
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The American Kitchen Gardener;
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Boohs Published by (7. M. Saxton & Co. 11
The Bee. Keeper's Chart ;
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the aufior has been enabled to divest the subject of much that has been considered
mysterious and difficult to overcome, and render it more sure, profitable, and Interest-
ing to every one than it has heretofore been. By E. W. Phelps.
Every Lady Her Own Flower Gardener ;
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whole in plain and simple language. By Louisa Johnson.
The Cow: Dairy Husbandry and Cattle Breeding.
By M. M. Milburn, and revised by H. D. Richardson and Ambrose Stevens. With Il-
lustrations.
Wilson on the Culture of Flax ;
Its Treatment, Agricultural and Technical; delivered before the New York State Agri.
cultural Society, at the Annual Fair, held at Saratoga, ia September last, by John Wil-
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Weeks on Bees.— A Manual ;
Or, an Easy Method of Managing Bees in the most profitable manner to their owner ,
with infallible rules to prevent their destruction by the Moth ; with an appendix by
Wooster A. Flanders.
Beemelin's (Chas.) Vine-dresser's Manual.
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The Horse's Foot, and how to keep it Sound.
With cuts illustrating the anatomy of the Foot, and containing valuable hints on
shoeing and stable management both in health and disease. By William Miles.
The Skilful Housewife,
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AMERICA ! CATT LE DOCTOR.
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Badd's Great Work on the
DISEASES OF CATTLE;
CONTAINING
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of Oxen, Cows, Sheep, and Swine ; with a great variety of original re-
ceipts and valuable information in reference to
FARM AND DAIRY MANAGEMENT,
WHEREBY
Every Man can be His Own Cattle Doctor.
BY GEORGE H. DADD.
Veterinary Surgeon, of Boston.
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tle, as a safe and reliable guide. The author is an experienced Farrier, and as such his
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°RICE ONE DOLLAR.
YOUATT & MARTIN ON CATTLE.
A Treatise on Breeding and General Management of Cattle;
Comprising a Full History of the various Races ; their Origin, Breeding and
Merits ; their capacity for Beep and Milk ; the Nature aud Treatment of
their Diseases ; the whole forming a Complete Guide for the Farmer, tho
Amateur, and the Veterinary Surgeon. With One Hundred Illustrations.
A New Edition, edited by Hon. Ambrose Stevens. Price SI 25
GUENON ON MILCH COWS :
A Treatise on Milch Cows, whereby the Quality and Quantity of Milk which
any Cow will give may be accurately determined by observing Natural
Marks or External Indications alone ; the length of time she will continue
to give Milk, &c, &c. By M. Francis Guenon, of Libourne, France.
Translated by Nicholas P. Trist, Esq. : with Introductory Remarks and Observations on the
Cow and the Dairy, by JOHN S. SKINNER.
With Numerous Illustrations, Price, neatly done up in Paper Covers, 37£ cts. Cloth, 62£ <?t*.
C. M. Saxton & Co., Publishers, 140 Fulton Street, New York.
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C. M. Saxton & Co. have just published
THE STABLE BOOK;
&. Treatise on the Management of Horses, in relation to Stabling,
Grooming, Feeding, Watering, and Working.
BY JOHN STEWART,
Veterinary Surgeon, and Professor of Veterinary Medicine in the Anderaonian University, Glasgow.
WITH NOTES AND ADDITIONS ADAPTING IT TO AMERICAN FOOD & CLIMATE
BY A. B. ALLEN,
Editor of the American Agriculturist.
ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.
CONTENTS.
Chap. I. — Stabling, Construction of Stables,
Ventilation of Stables, Appendages of Stables.
Chap. II. — Stable Operations, Stable Men,
Grooming Operations of Decoration, Manage-
ment of the Feet, Operations in the Stable.
Ciiap. III.— Stable Restraints, Accidents,
Habits, Vices.
Chap. IV.— Warmth.
Chap. V. — Food — Articles of, Composition
of, — Principles of Feeding, Practice of Feed-
ing, Pasturing, Soiling, Feeding at Straw
Yard.
Chap. VI.— Water.
Chap. VII. — Service, General Preparation
for Work, Physiology of Muscular Exertion,
Preparation for Fast Work, Treatment after
Work, Accidents of Work, Repose.
Chap. VIII. — Management of Diseased and
of, Preparation of, Assimilation of, Indigestion Defective Horses, Medical Attendance.
•« I have aimed in this Work TO MAKE PRACTICE THE MASTER OF THEORY, and have
endeavored to arrange the whole subject into divisions which will render every part of it
easily understood, and easily referred to by every one." — Author's Preface.
"The Horse has been a favorite study with me from childhood, and for twenty years I
have been more or less engaged in breeding and rearing them, on my own farm, and break-
ing and fitting them for market. I also had, during a residence of two years in Europe, the
advantage of Studying the Stable Economy of large Military Establishments, and to inform
myself by personal inspection on the subject of the Horse in general, and particularly his
rearing and stable treatment, and in so doing examined alike the Thorough Bred, the Hun>
ter, the Roadster, the Farm and the Dray Horse. A. B. Allen." — American Editor.
The Horse's Foot, and How to keep it Sound.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
BY WILLIAM MILES.
Price : Paper, Twenty -live Cents. Cloth, Fifty Cents.
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From JEKROLD NEDWICK
Antiquarian Bookseller
2013 Prairie Chicago. 16. 111.