54 August 2014

u FOCUS ON YOUTH u

Complied by Nancy Merritt, AMHA Summer Intern

Youth Perspective of the Morgan Horse

(Photo © Kristin M. Rathbun)

FOUR LEGS TO CARRY THEIR BIG HEARTS

As Morgan owners, trainers, and riders, we do all that we can to ensure the longevity of the breed. Horse shows, websites and magazines are forms of breed promotion that are carefully planned and budgeted, but there is one type that we never plan for. This breed promotion takes place in school hallways and lunchrooms, at birthday parties and sleepovers, and in class projects and

presentations. Even the youngest Morgan lover participates in the most important form of advertising. This month, we posed a question to AMHA Youth: What do you tell your friends at school about Morgan horses? I received insightful and intelligent responses from all over the country, but they all had one thing in common: whether it’s their unique movement at the trot or gentle personalities, Morgan Horses leave everyone with a smile.

56 August 2014

FOCUS ON YOUTH u FOUR LEGS TO CARRY THEIR BIG HEARTS

Zoie Marsh, Age 10Chapel Hill, North CarolinaBridleWood Farm Youth Club

“A Morgan is like a big dog, but it has a mane and tail, it’s much more fun to play with, and it’s not as aggressive (unless it thinks that your finger is a carrot). They are very sweet.”

Skylar Gutin, Age 11Tampa, Florida

“Anna is a beautiful and good natured horse but sometimes stubborn. We share a friendship. She likes to show off like me. We have won many ribbons together. West Coast Morgan is my favorite barn!”

Kelly Donovan, Age 12Northville, New YorkPossibility Youth Morgan Horse Club

“I tell my friends that I love Morgan horses’ nice smooth trot and jog.”

Alex & Devon Teran, Age 7Goshen, ConnecticutBerkshire Morgan Youth Club

“The Morgan horse is beautiful, gentle, and easy to work with. They can be used for many disciplines—jumping, equitation, pleasure, carriage driving, and reining.”

Colleen Long, Age 11Johnstown, New YorkPossibility Youth Morgan Horse Club

“What I love most about Morgan horses is that they’re versatile. The same horse can be found on an Amish farm pulling a plow one day, and be hitched to a

buggy the next day, being driven miles to the nearest town. They are also very versatile in the show ring—ranging from Western pleasure to park to reining to driving. They’re wonderful backyard pets, and because of their even temperament and patience, they’re excellent with children, and work hard to please their rider. They were even depicted in paintings because of their speed and handling in harness racing. Both the states of Massachusetts and Vermont chose the Morgan horse as their state animal. This breed is known to be very smart and courageous, which is perhaps the reason why the Morgan horse was used in the cavalry by the United States government in the 1800’s. They are sound, sturdy, well-mannered, and capable of living in any landscape of the Northeast,

from wide-open meadows to rock strewn fields. I think they are perfect for just about anything. My favorite feature of the Morgan, however, is their expressive and kind eyes. That’s what I love most about Morgan horses.”

Kiana Pearson, Age 12Ballston Spa, New YorkPossibility Youth Morgan Horse Club

“What I tell my friends at school that I love the most about Morgan horses is that they are so pretty and elegant, that they have so much spirit, they love to do work, and how

they’re so smart and always thinking. I also just love the Morgan’s conformation/build and movement at the trot.”

Elisabeth Coryn, Age 13Pinellas Park, FloridaTropical Trotters Youth Club

“I tell my friends at school that I think Morgan is the best breed any rider could ever ask for. Morgans have the best attitude. They are very versatile. For example I ride four different Morgan horses

at Bridle Creek Stables with Miss Kristin Cole, and they are all in different divisions. They are very willing, have great personalities, and they never fail to put a smile on my face!”

Hailey Carter, Age 10Graham, North Carolina

“Morgan horses are quirky and fun!”

Peyton Carter, Age 8Graham, North Carolina

“Morgan horses like to eat lots of different foods and some of them have really funny personalities. Like one of our horses will stick out his tongue when you scratch his neck!”

Kaley FelbergTropical Trotters Youth Club President

“When my friends tell me that they want to learn about the Morgan horse I tell them that the Morgan horse is versatile, compassionate, and is a quick learner. They have all of these qualities and while

58 August 2014

they possess these, they still have a distinct character that makes them their own kind.”

Tricia Bohannon, Age 10Norwich, New York

“I tell my friends at school that the thing I love most about Morgan horses is they are the most fun and challenging horse to ride but at the same time they are all kinds of friendly and loveable.”

Jasmine Williams, Age 10Graham, North Carolina

“Morgan horses are very pretty and I love to ride them as much as possible!”

Alexi Hunt, Age 12Chapel Hill, North CarolinaBridleWood Youth Club

“Morgans are just big kids—they like toys too!”

Ashley Easterling, Age 15Nassau, New YorkBerkshire Morgan Youth Club

“I always tell my friends how versatile the Morgan is and how you can spot this horse doing almost any task or discipline. I also tell them how good natured this horse is and that their goal is to please.”

Olivia Dumont, Age 10Kinderhook, New YorkBerkshire Morgan Youth Club

“The things that I love most about Morgan horses are their kind, gentle nature and their superior intelligence.”

FOCUS ON YOUTH u FOUR LEGS TO CARRY THEIR BIG HEARTS

Often times when I tell my friends that my family raises horses, I am asked what breed. While this may seem ordinary enough, it actually makes no sense.

What is it that makes people ask this question? Why, in fact, does it matter? Back in the day, horses were just horses. But in this day and age, it would seem there are as many breeds of horses as there are horses themselves! What is even more strange is the responses I have heard when I say that my family raises Morgans. “Ohh, aren’t Morgans great kids horses?” “Oh, I love that kind! They’re so pretty!” “Don’t they do well in saddle seat events? I’ve heard they have great leg action.” Again, this is pretty strange. These comments have almost nothing in common, with the exception that they are all about Morgans. So what is it that makes Morgans so popular? What I tell my friends is that it’s the Morgan’s great personality. The fact that the Morgan horse can be trained to do anything, with no restrictions is not known by everyone, and therefore our responsibility. It’s that “Look at me! Look at me!” expression. It’s the sense of pride that comes from being able to think, and to say, “My horse is a Morgan. Look at him! He is a champion.” It’s that ability to know that just the Morgan’s personality makes him a champion. Every Morgan, from the world champion in park saddle to the backyard trail horse is a champion. That’s what makes a Morgan, simply, a Morgan! It’s that same thing that makes a richly decorated show horse turn into a reliable child’s pet in just minutes. It’s the same thing that made a low-on-cash schoolmaster take in a runt “pony” as a debt payment! When Justin Morgan brought back Figure in the 1790’s, the response from his fellow frontiersmen wasn’t all that great.

WHAT MAKES A MORGAN A MORGAN?

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Dana Weiner, Age 15Chapel Hill, North CarolinaBridleWood Youth Club

“Morgan horses are one of a kind. They are very versatile and have amazing personalities that can put a smile on your face anytime you are around them.”

Julian Peek, Age 12Schuylerville, New York

“I would not just be able to tell my friends just one thing that I love about the Morgan horse. I would probably tell them about how they have big attitudes that come in small packages, also I would probably say they are very versatile horses. Meaning

they do everything from showing, to work, to being backyard pets. I would explain to my friends the history of the Morgan horse, like how he could out-pull and out-run many horses even though he was the smallest. I would also say how the Morgan was used in the United States Cavalry. Then I would end by saying they have four legs to carry their large hearts, and that three of my best friends are Morgan horses.” n

“Take the runt to the tanner’s, ye fool! At least you can get your money’s worth off his hide.” But Master Morgan wasn’t a fool, as the townsfolk said. He could see that not only was the colt beautiful, not only was he carrying the potential to do anything, he was smart and he loved. When a child came near Figure during luncheon, he did not do a single mean or dangerous thing. He was kind, and gently put his head down for the child to pet, and eat any treat given, taking all the while great care not to step on their little feet. Keep in mind Figure was a stallion! If credit should be given to anyone, we must take great care not to discredit Master Morgan from this entire picture. For if not for his own public humiliation and his great expense, both of money as well as time, we would not remember Figure at all. Why, there would be no Morgan horses to call champions! If a Morgan is beautiful, it is his personality that makes him beautiful. If a Morgan is able to do any event and learn how to do so with ease, it is his personality that makes him so. If a Morgan is calm and reliable around a child, and will allow a one or two-year-old to be led around upon him bareback, with its mother stabilizing it and walking along also, it is, again, his personality that makes him that way! So the next time you are out playing with your Morgan or watching the splendor of a foal’s first steps, remember it’s his or her winning personality and beauty that you are seeing. For all Morgans are truly champions.

Bailey Hartl, 11 years old

FOCUS ON YOUTH u FOUR LEGS TO CARRY THEIR BIG HEARTS

Meadowmere1/2H