Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-06-29
HISTORY OF ROYAL MORGAN.
From Spirit OF the Times, 1881


ing some account of horse known in
Vermont as the Royal Morgan, giving
his pedigree and general description OF
his form, weight, character of stock, age
at the time of his death, etc. This ac-
count appears to be an extract from ID.
C. Linsley's work on Morgan horses,
published in 1863; and it is due to the
author to say we believe it to be the
most reliable account of that most extra
ordinary animal known as the Justin
Morgan and his numerous offspring,
which have now become of worldwide
renown. 1t should, however, be under
stood that the Royal Morgan was thirty
years old before Mr.. l.. ever saw him and
the account he gives of his form is given
as he appeared at that advanced age,
while statements of another who only
saw him while in his prime might mate
rally differ. The fact, however, being
established that he lived from June, 1871,
till November, 1858, would naturally
raise an inquiry after all the material
facts in the history of this extraordinary
horse.
The circumstance of my having owned
and kept the horse from 1913 till 1893
has probably induced many of my
friends and acquaintance in different
parts of the country to make the same
requests as contained in your paper, as
ahnUa "
self in the place of one better qualified
to briefly state some facts in connection
with the history and treatment of this
horse, which l may regard as most in
teresting to those engaged in breeding
horses, which may also explain, in
measure, the cause of his extraordinary
longevity.
The first time l ever saw this horse
was at Derby Line, VT, when he was
five years old. He was then owned by
Messrs. Chamberlain Il Chase of Lyn-
don, Vt; having seen the original JUS
tin Morgan, l then regarded him as near
ly "A fac smile of that horse. This circum-
stance is easily accounted for, when we
consider that Royal Morgan was grand
son of old Justin, on the side of both his
sire and dam. At this time he possessed
a greater combination Gin my Judgment
of good points than | had ever seen in
any other horse-that is, as horse for
all work. His head, ear, and eye were
excellent, and every other point fully
equal to Mr.. Linsley's account, with all
the important muscles much larger than
have ever seen upon any other horse of
his size, except old Justin. Throughout
his long life as a stock horse, want Of
size and height were the only objections
ever raised against him among men of
good taste and judgment. Until he was
about ten years old his stock had obtain
ed no special notoriety, and himself only
noted as an animal of great beauty with
extraordinary power of endurance and
strength as a horse of all work COnse-
quently whenever an act was TO be done
requiring the greatest strength and speed
and endurance, this same little horse was
/
property of Reuben Crane of Derby, who
kept him till he Crane died, and | pur-
chased him of his estate in 1913 and kept
him till SO as above stated.
In early life his services as a stock
horse were quite limited; when Crane had
him. think he served about fifty mares
each season. When purchased him, al.
though then more than 20 years old, he
had all the external appearance of a colt
His greatest weight was in July n; he
then weighed 1910 lbs, and his reputation
was such as to command all the bushes:
| desired. One year he covered IA mare:
in three months.
During all these years he was seldom
in harness, except for exercise. He haC
all the oats he would readily eat from
April to September and from September
to November he was limited to one gal
lon per day. During the winter he go
no grain, but occasionally feed of car
rots, etc. kept him in warm box sta
BILE in winter, with an open yard attach
ed for exercise, and in box stable wei
ventilated in summer. ! bled him ever,
; spring, but never gave him any catharti
medicines, and during the whole tim
that owned him never knew him in
disposed in health for single moment
He had quarter crack in one front hooi
which sometimes famed him for day al
ter shoeing; with that exception, he wa
, never lame, and up to the day of hi
: death his limbs were perfectly free fror
: blemish, and in every respect perfect
e sound.
He was probably the most sure TO;
Y getter ever known in this State. Durin
the season of '5S he covered two mare
y and one of them produced colt since h
death.
y The most important matter in relatio
to this horse which remains to be mel
7, toned is the general character of h
I-s