| The Morgan show
horses from Merriewold's breeding program are perfectly suited for owner/riders
involved in the equestrian sports of Dressage, jumping, eventing, competitive trail and
reining. Breeders looking to improve their stock will also benefit from the proven
potential of MWM's foals. And
families who want an all around usable horse for fun and recreation will find that perfect
horse here - at Merriewold Morgans. About eight years ago I started my breeding program with the desire to
produce a Morgan that could successfully compete in the sport of Dressage with an adult
amateur or junior rider. The Warm Blood breeds dominate this sport but their large
size, and strong build is not appropriate for all riders. There is a need for a
medium sized, athletic, easily trainable (tractable) horse for the sport horse market. The
Morgan is ideal for this niche.
Some Morgan breeders base their program on
specific lines of Morgan breeding: Brunk breeding, Working Western,
Government. With the help of Jackie Brittain I have instead
looked for individual mares that
exemplify the qualities that we want in our program. We then find the best stallion
to compliment and improve the mare’s traits. To produce a superior sport Morgan.
In the Merriewold breeding program there are three
qualities we consider to be the foundation traits that we desire in our Morgans.
The distinct Morgan personality
The unmistakable Morgan beauty
The renowned Morgan versatility
The most important of all Morgan traits is
the Morgan personality or disposition. Highly trainable (tractable), intelligent,
and willing. They are known for having a great work ethic. Brave, safe,
unflappable, are also terms often used when referring to Morgans. They are also
renowned for their energy and endurance. But their best trait of all is their desire
to please.
There is no mistaking a Morgan!
The chiseled head with large wide set eyes and small tipped ears.
The elegant arched neck set high on a laid-back shoulder. The athletic yet
refined build with a short back, generous girth and high flagging tail. These traits
make a Morgan stand out in a crowd.
In the early years of the breed, the Morgan
was prized for having the strength to do farm work on the weekdays and the elegance to
pull the family carriage to town on the weekend. Today you can find Morgans
excelling in many divisions of the horse world. From eventing to endurance, driving
and dressage, reining, ranch work, and the family mount. Morgans do it all.
Two additional traits that are important
for a “sport” Morgan
are an athletic build and substantial height.
An athletic build in horses denotes a free
moving, laid back shoulder, a powerful hind quarter and withers higher than the croup.
This conformation helps to give the horse three correct gaits with balance, energy
and suspension. In addition good bone and sound feet are essential.
According to the American Morgan Horse
Association, the ideal Morgan ranges in size from 14.2hh to 15.2hh. In our
program we would like to produce individuals that are at the larger end of the scale with
15h-15.3h being ideal.
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