I have a Morgan mare that came from a bad situation, semi-feral, starved, and with a foal at her side at only three years old. I got her from a rescue at approximately 5 years old, barely halter broke and untrusting, to going under saddle with-in 6 months. I utilized AMHA’s DNA testing program to confirm she was indeed a Morgan, and worked with them to get her registered.
The rest is history. She’s 10 now, and we have been steadily chipping away at dressage, exploring trails, and are starting working equitation this summer. She’s incredibly intelligent, athletic, and kind, but she is definitely a one-person horse. She is easily caught, handled, and ridden by me, but tends to be mistrusting and nervous with others. I think if she had a different start as a young horse, this would be different.
I personally only feed her through slow-feed nets, with very limited access to grass. She also is on only a ration balancer, an ulcer preventative supplement, and an amino acid supplement. When she was on grass, she was an air fern, and I personally won’t risk it now.
Saddle fit was tricky with her short, curvy back and large shoulders, but she can still accommodate an 18" seat. A Black Country Eloquence X with a hoop tree was the trick, but difficult to find on the used market. I also use a semi-custom bridle from FlexibleFit, as off-the-rack bridles didn’t fit quite right, but a combo of cob and horse sized bridle pieces did the trick.
I’d absolutely own another Morgan.
