She’s lovely!!!
I got my cowhorse bred mare from a friend who has her older full sister and younger full brother - they are both palominos, my mare is sorrel, which is why I got her - they didn’t want the sorrel. :rolleyes: My friend was selling her for the owner/breeder who she personally knows. My mare is pretty well bred and was started to go to the futurity, but the owner/breeder lost interest in her, so I got her at the bargain basement price ($1500). There are plenty others out there who are nicely bred, broke and not that pricey. You just have to look for them and get the word out you are looking.
My mare is great at doing everything. We placed 2nd in the very first show we did - an obstacle challenge. We would have placed 1st except for rider error. :o She trail rides just fine, too. We also won the trail class at a play day this year. She’s a fun little horse. Personally, I don’t know that I would have a horse that I could not do alot of things on. 
But, of course, cows are her forte … Here’s a pix of us at our last show … yea, you KNOW that’s FUN!! :lol:
[QUOTE=Fancy That;7566579]
PoPo - get in touch with Jo Johnson in Fresno/Clovis CA…she has AMAZING Morgans and puts a good handle on them with the horsemanship training you like.
http://www.jafmorganstockhorses.com/
In fact, let’s take a field trip over there in October when you are down for the Harry Whitney clinic? You can find her on FB…she is a real hand.[/QUOTE]
Funny you should mention her - I found her in a roundabout way when I was looking at a saddlemaker’s website. She and I were emailing last night! 
[QUOTE=kewpalace;7566607]
But, of course, cows are her forte … Here’s a pix of us at our last show … yea, you KNOW that’s FUN!! :lol:[/QUOTE]
That is awesome - what fun!!!
If you are not set on a purebred QH or Morgan, take a look at Aztecas. I have a PRE/QH yearling by Faralay II out of a foundation QH (Blue Valentine) that is incredible (well I think so). The cross is typically athletic and good minded (of course you need to look at the parents). Well suited for what you are interested in. My husband’s comment when I brought my baby home was “well if you can’t make a nice dressage horse or bridle horse out of this one you don’t know crap and you can give him to me!” Nice job with your horse at the Buck clinic! I was riding in the afternoon class on my big buckskin gelding.
There is a reason why the U.S. Govt chose Morgans crossed with tbs for their remounts.......hardiness, trainability, good feet, stamina, able to make good use of little food. Morgans by themselves are quick, smart, long lived, known for soundness, hardy, sometimes gaited, but sometimes on the shorter side. (Im not talking about the Morgan/ saddlebreds here, that have been developed for show horses, talking about the using Morgans that have Lippitt blood up close.) Although I have nothing against the modern Morgan showhorse but I think that is not what you are looking for).
When I was working as a wrangler taking 60 people out on rides over rugged landscape, I rode an old style Morgan so I could “rescue” people in a hurry. Very handy little horse that I could always count on…AND…I always felt I had a horse under me and in front of me and “with” me.
After reading many of your posts Pocket Pony, I think you are a serious rider who spends a lot of time trying to educate yourself with the idea that someday you might make a bridle horse.
Consider the upright conformation of the Morgan and how that horse could carry a spade with the balance that that will require. Many QH just are not put together in a way that will be easy for them to stay uphill and be ridden in the balance needed to be a bridle horse. Good hock and hindleg conformation is a must with a neck that comes up out of the shoulder properly. Speaking for myself, forward energy is a nice quality to have, more imortant than a horse that will forgive me for my mistakes. You have to have movement so that you can direct it.
Keep in mind that the Dorrances originally bred Morgans.
I have nothing against QH (I have owned some good using QHs) but some lines are riddled with genetic diseases and you also have to sort through the bloodlines to make sure you dont get a lot of halter horse blood. Good feet will be another priority so you`ll have to sort through quite a few to find one with a good foot under them and with good hocks and stifles. Also, for awhile the fashion was to breed a downhill QH. Lots of these things will ding quite a few off of your list.
Most Morgans have very efficient digestive systems and some can have a tendancy to founder, also can be insulin resistant but weighing that against all the problems that QH can have and comparing the two types of conformation for each breed, I`d vote for looking towards a Morgan or Morgan cross. UNLESS…you go to a reputable breeder of QHs, who knows their foundation bloodlines inside and out and breeds them for the purpose for which you will be able to fullfill your plans.
I am a Morgan/tb owner x 2
After looking for an old style morgan for many months, I finally lucked into a 15 hh black gelding who is a joy to me. He loves his job as a driving horse but is perfectly willing to be ridden and pull logs. I have never seen a horse who had happy ears so much.
Morgans are rare in my state and when I stabled him for a couple of weeks near my house in town, he got got quite a lot of attention from other horse owners. I have had an Appendix QH, a friesian, a holsteiner and another morgan in the past.
Check out RGmorgans.com Grundenranchmorgans.com
Also
http://hoovesblog.com/2014/03/25/the-ideal-average-owners-horse/
A few more comments on my beloved Morgan-
My mare has a tremendous amount of common sense. An example- early on we came to a wooden bridge on trail, and most likely she’d never encountered one before. We were at the trot, and she just stopped, studied it for a few seconds, and proceeded like an old hand.
OTOH, she also generally perceives no need for wasted effort. When I first headed her toward a low crossbar, her statement was, “You know we could just walk around that thing, right?”
She can go months between outings. When I got her, she’d been a broodie for a couple of years, hanging out in 300 acres. The seller just saddled her up and sent me off on a solo ride, and the mare was solid and sensible. There have been instances of weeks or a month between rides, and that’s never an issue.
She conveys to me that repetitive schooling is boooooring, and please don’t bother her with it. She learns fast and retains the info, and I try to keep things from getting stale for her.
In short, I try to keep a partnership of mutual respect going with her, and that very much includes acknowledging her intelligence and opinions.
I always swore that my Morgans talked in the barn at night, much like Merrilegs and Ginger. They always came out to work seemingly knowing more than when I put them away.
[QUOTE=ezduzit;7567305]
I always swore that my Morgans talked in the barn at night, much like Merrilegs and Ginger. They always came out to work seemingly knowing more than when I put them away.[/QUOTE]
Speaking of this - I started my now 12 year old, Remy, as a five year old in harness. Had maybe 40 drives and then I sold the cart and focused on riding. Recently I found a steal of a deal on a cart and hooked him back up - like he’d never had a day off. He’s had maybe 4 drives recently.
I figured that we could both use a lesson or two, so hauled him Sunday to a driving trainer. I drove him and then the trainer drove him, and I am STILL trying to figure out where he learned what he knew. I sure as heck didn’t teach him, and the trainer was pretty impressed too. It was awesome, and I think speaks to the great Morgan mind.
www.forevermorgans.com They rescue Morgan horses from kill buyer auctions and then adopt them out. Word is getting out and owners are beginning to contact them before sending the horse to auction.
[QUOTE=Lamb Chop;7567124]
A few more comments on my beloved Morgan-
My mare has a tremendous amount of common sense. An example- early on we came to a wooden bridge on trail, and most likely she’d never encountered one before. We were at the trot, and she just stopped, studied it for a few seconds, and proceeded like an old hand.
OTOH, she also generally perceives no need for wasted effort. When I first headed her toward a low crossbar, her statement was, “You know we could just walk around that thing, right?”
She can go months between outings. When I got her, she’d been a broodie for a couple of years, hanging out in 300 acres. The seller just saddled her up and sent me off on a solo ride, and the mare was solid and sensible. There have been instances of weeks or a month between rides, and that’s never an issue.
She conveys to me that repetitive schooling is boooooring, and please don’t bother her with it. She learns fast and retains the info, and I try to keep things from getting stale for her.
In short, I try to keep a partnership of mutual respect going with her, and that very much includes acknowledging her intelligence and opinions.[/QUOTE]
OMG - my Ana acts the exact same way. I put up an obstacle for her during free lunging and she went around it. Why bother waisting effort?
I also know not to school her to death with dressage training…she will actually let out a sigh to let me know she’s over it!
So we’ve reached an agreement: she will do 20 minutes of schooling in the arena without sighing and I will then reward her with a trail ride
It sounds to me that for what the OP is looking for, a Morgan would be perfect, especially one of Foundation/Sport-type breeding.
[QUOTE=Fancy That;7566296]
I wanted to add that though RITR said she needs to work hers regularly, not the case at all with mine. I put in some very good “deposits in the bank” from the day I got Fancy as a 3 year old and yes, I was more regular with her as she got “broke” but honestly, for the last SEVERAL YEARS, she can sit in a pasture for months and be dusted off to go to an event.[/QUOTE]
This is similar to my experience as well. I’m currently an absentee horse owner and see my horses rather infrequently before I leased them out. On one occasion when I was visiting/riding them for the first time in about three months, someone who had never met me or my horses before was absolutely shocked when she saw how well-behaved they were and how well they were going. It has never mattered how much time they’ve had off - it always seems like they’ve never missed any time at all.
My gelding has always been a baby-sitter for other horses and new riders, from the time he was started under saddle. Scary trail to go on? Sure, I’ll go first in front of the much more seasoned older horse. New rider with not-so-good balance? Sure, I’ll take it easy for them.
Also very true. My mare never took an off step, until one day she did (she was 15). Very weird for her, so we had the vet out… and it turned out she had significant arthritis in her knee. Injected it once, and she’s been fine since (she is now 18).
I am not the only one to have described my horses as “very cool” or “perfect”. 
Just be ready to probably start looking for a stupid wide saddle and a big girth to go with it (mine fit an XW County, XXW Black Country, and 40cm Duett and take a minimum of a 48" girth - they stand 15.1 and 14.2-14.3-ish).
ETA - Both of mine LOVE jumping. The mare hates flatwork, unless we’re driving. She is very good at that, too. She would probably also make a very nice Western pleasure horse. The gelding, on the other hand, loves flatwork (he hasn’t done much driving). Both are also very good on trails.
PS - Fancy, the picture of your girl in cross ties very clearly illustrates to me that she is, indeed, bigger than my two in every way!!! :lol:
[QUOTE=MorganJumper848;7565547]
My morgan is 16hh! I bought him as a three year old and it was the best purchase I have ever made. I bought him from a wonderful breeder though![/QUOTE]
I’d love to know where you purchased your Morgan. I’m looking for a taller, bigger bodied one but with the good Morgan brain…
I love this thread! I’d actually researched the Lippitts quite a bit but at almost 5’8" (and wanting to jump), I really needed something taller than the typical Lippitt.
Pocket Pony, I’m not sure where you are but there is a fabulous 3 year old available in Kentucky. He hasn’t been backed yet but lovely bloodlines and breeders are willing to geld. (I have nothing to gain from this, just passing on some of the research I’ve conducted.) Again, too short for me at 14.3.
I love the old Western Working Lines too. I would have dearly loved a colt or filly out of Primavera Valdez…
Any leads on taller, big bodied Morgans in the mid Atlantic area would be appreciated!
[QUOTE=re-runs;7566709]
After reading many of your posts Pocket Pony, I think you are a serious rider who spends a lot of time trying to educate yourself with the idea that someday you might make a bridle horse.
Yes, I’d love to make a bridle horse! And while I’m not interested in showing, you are right that I take my riding and horsemanship very seriously and am constantly trying to educate myself.
Consider the upright conformation of the Morgan and how that horse could carry a spade with the balance that that will require. Many QH just are not put together in a way that will be easy for them to stay uphill and be ridden in the balance needed to be a bridle horse. Good hock and hindleg conformation is a must with a neck that comes up out of the shoulder properly. Speaking for myself, forward energy is a nice quality to have, more imortant than a horse that will forgive me for my mistakes. You have to have movement so that you can direct it.
Could you elaborate on conformation? What about the hock/hindleg would be something negative to watch out for?
Keep in mind that the Dorrances originally bred Morgans.
I have nothing against QH (I have owned some good using QHs) but some lines are riddled with genetic diseases and you also have to sort through the bloodlines to make sure you dont get a lot of halter horse blood. Good feet will be another priority so you`ll have to sort through quite a few to find one with a good foot under them and with good hocks and stifles. Also, for awhile the fashion was to breed a downhill QH. Lots of these things will ding quite a few off of your list.
Yes, yes, yes. I would be worried about all of those things - especially the feet and also the too-early-IMHO starting of young horses, which seems to be predominant and accepted in the QH world. One thing I like in talking to Jo (JAF Morgans) is that she starts them at what I consider to be a reasonable age. I was talking to a friend who recently got a QH through an auction and at two years old these horses are already going and in regular hard work. That’s just too much.
Most Morgans have very efficient digestive systems and some can have a tendancy to founder, also can be insulin resistant but weighing that against all the problems that QH can have and comparing the two types of conformation for each breed, I`d vote for looking towards a Morgan or Morgan cross. UNLESS…you go to a reputable breeder of QHs, who knows their foundation bloodlines inside and out and breeds them for the purpose for which you will be able to fullfill your plans.
I am a Morgan/tb owner x 2 :)[/QUOTE]
How would I search or a QH breeder like that - what key words would I be looking for?
Is there a good site that lists Morgan breeders by region or types- ie Sport or Foundation/Old Type? My Stinky Pony aka Bosco is a Morgan. Love him, but we may be nearing a retirement or step down in expectations for riding sooner than I anticipated. Presently, I am torn between another full Morgan or possible a Morab. Just want to start informing myself on what is out there and thinking about what exactly I want. Thanks so much!
Happy riding,
Jessie and the Stinky Pony aka Bosco (a super smart Morgan gelding with a wicked sense of humor)
Pattnic - glad you joined in! Fancy looks, ahem, extra “big” in the sleepy-cross-tie picture. She picks up a touch of weight this time of year ;( But it’ll come off soon, our grass is already dead.
Those looking for Morgans - go to the Morgans For Sale Facebook page and ask around Also - check Morgan Showcase, all the other sites like equine.com, dreamhorse…and for FARMS, check out AMHA.
Here is a club that some of you might find handy with breeder listings: Cornerstone Morgan Club (foundation Morgans)
Agree with Grunden Ranch for nice big stout working type Morgans. Harder to find a Morgan closer to 16 hands than 15 hands.
here is one of my favorite big guys. This is ML Meadowlark Jazzspur, a solid 16.1 hands and built like a tank. Look up Linnea Sidi and Shery Jesperson for good, big, stout working/using Morgans
http://www.meadowlarkmorgans.com/index.php/stallions
I’ve always thought Winfield has some great Morgans. Over in Connecticut
http://www.windfieldmorganfarm.com/
There are so many great Morgan breeders…if you just start looking around from Rainbow Morgan Horse Assoc, Lippit Club, Western Working Morgan Club, Cornerstone and some of the Regional Clubs (look up on AMHA) you can find lots to choose from.
Be picky! There are many types of Morgans…if you like a certain type, keep LOOKING for that It’s worth it. I have a very specific type of Morgan I like
I love seeing that there are so many Morgan lovers on this forum. Another fan here. My mare is pretty awesome (at least I think so lol)…she is very forward and has the go go go attitude. Her spook is a jump in the air and then look. With leg or a tap from the whip she will go past pretty much anything. In our first parade we had to go under a bunch of floating balloons. Most of the horses in our group spooked at them but followed right after my girl.
I have been around some people that have told me they would hate riding such a forward horse. At one of the board barns we were at we would go around the ring twice before their Qh got around once.:lol: So maybe they aren’t for everyone.
I can go months without riding and still have a good ride when I hop on bareback (still with a lot of go).
Like a lot of Morgans she is a mix of bloodlines… I’ve done trail riding, some dressage but quit as she has arthritis. She’s done a little bit western showing before I bought her and we’ve showed hunter pleasure. Oh and she’s my second Morgan that is more of a hard keeper.
This summer I’m going to try to get my 7yr old riding her. I just got to get him comfortable with the fast trot.
She’s had the winter off so here she is out of shape. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/morgansnmind/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5ab84730.jpg
I bought my girl from a small breeder in NY.
Good luck searching for your horse!
