The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-01-10
OLD JUSTIN MORGAN
Could outwalk, Outrun and Outdraw
Any Horse of His Weight

| Couid OutWalk, Outrun and OutdraW
Any Horse of His Weight
IL is no disparagement to the eX-
cellence Of the Morgan horses 10 say
that their famous progenitor belong
ed to the common stock of New Eng
land horses, with a large infusion of
tTench-Canadian blood. Their pedi-
gree can be traced no farther back
than Old Justin Morgan, a horse own
ed by 4 man Of that name, who remov-
ed from Springfield, Mass, to Ran
dolph in Vermont, in 1895, taking this
two-yearold colt with him. Strange
as it may seem, nothing is certainly
known of his pedigree-not even his
sire. 1t was said by some that he was
sired by True Briton,' kept some
where in Massachusetts about that
time, and that True Briton's" ances-
try could be traced back to Byerly
Turk, an Arabian horse, but there is
no proof of il, and the proba abilities
are against it.
Mr. Morgan knew the sire of his
colt, but as the horse had no fame or
pedigree 10 boast Of, he was willing
his horse should stand on his own
merits He never claimed that the
horse had any Thoroughbred blood in
him. but was willing that people
should think so if they saw fit. That
ha n OF inf Of %, to-,
blood was shown by his heavy name
and tail. He had fine head, of me-
dunn size. with straight face, broad
forehead small ears set wide apart,
and eyes full OF intelligence and
gentleness. His back was short, but
rather long body, and wide. muscu-
lar loins. His body was round, close
ly ribbed and compactly built, with
deep, wide chest. short, closejointed
legs wide and thin, but remarkably
muscular and with long hair near the
fetlocks, lie was a small horse, only
about IA hands high, and his weight
about $50 pounds. In color he was
beautiful dark bay with black legs
and coarse black tail and name
He was said TO have been very
fast walker, but not a remarkably
fast trotter, as no attempts were
made to develop his speed in that di-
rection. 1t was said that he could
outwalk outrun, and outdraw any
horse of his weight ever pitted
against him.
His style OF movement" says
writer of his day was lofty, bold,
majestic, full OF life and spirit, but
he was managed with the greatest
ease, and lady could drive him with
perfect safety"
He was much admired as a parade
horse, at military trainings, where he
would dance at the music of the fife
and drum and stand on his hind legs
half the time Like most of.the stock
horses of his time. kept in the coun-
try districts. he had to work hard i'll
clearing and cultivating new land
work most trying TO spirited hors-
es. He exhibited wonderful strength
and Willingness TO draw heavy loads,
and patience in enduring uncomforta-
BILE labor
Old Justin Morgan lived to be 29
years old, and died in 1921, from the
effects of Kick by another horse. He
had three sons who inherited his
good qualities in an eminent degree, |
and well sustained his fame.
Sherman Morgan. the Oldest, was
foaled in 1903. Nothing is known of
the lineage of his dam. He was IA
bright chestnut in color. less than ii
hands high and weighed only 1925
pounds, being smaller than his sire.
In shape and build, he greatly resembl
ed his sire, except being more swag
bellied. From the age of four years
he was kept at hard work for nine or
ten months of the year his owner be-
ing engaged in teaming. He was a
free. quick traveller, with great en-
dlirance. He was willing, steady, and
powerful to draw as dead lift"