They became enormously popular in the mid-West, especially Ohio, not previously noted for its horses' quality. At a time when crossbreeding posed a threat to the Morgan's distinctiveness, Colonel Joseph Battell established the Morgan Horse Register in 1894. His register provided the impetus for the Morgan Horse Club, which subsequently assumed maintenance of the stud book. The head is characterized by large and prominent eyes and small ears, a small muzzle and a prominent jaw. The Morgan has a crested neck, considerable should angulation and depth, a short back, muscular croup and a highset tail.
Legs are relatively straight with short connon bones and medium pasterns.
In addition to conformation classes, Morgans compete as park horses, in harness, as English and Western pleasure horses, and pleasure driving and jumping. Entries in a Justin Morgan class trot half a mile in harness, gallop the same distance under the saddle, show at the walk, trot and canter, and finally pull 500 pounds of dead weight a distance of six feet. All the Morgan Horse links you will ever need. Click here and find one within 250 miles your your zip code.