A Truly American Horse Breed – Plus a Happy Wife!

…continuing with our summer 2018 exploration of New England.

We departed the city of Burlington and headed south along US Hwy. 7.  I had a very specific goal in mind for the day, one that would earn ‘points’ for me with my wife…and I can never have too many points!

As we headed south I spotted this old depot along the highway.  This is the former Rutland and Burlington Railway combination depot from Ferrisburgh Vermont.  It was built in 1862.  It was moved a little south to Old Covered Bridge Farm along the highway.  It looks like it’s in great shape now but I found a photo that showed that it suffered through some ‘hard times’.  At one point it was being used as a store that was named “The Emporium”.  According to the most current information I could find, it was most recently used as a furniture studio.

This is the former Vergennes combination passenger and freight depot.  It was moved from Vergennes to Ferrisburgh next to the tracks at the ‘park and ride lot’ located at the corner of US Hwy. 7 and VT Hwy 22A.  Confused now?  I am! 

In any case, this wooden structure is the oldest known in Vermont that was moved to another location and restored.  This depot began serving passengers in Vergennes back in 1849!  Male passengers entered the depot on the left hand side and females had their own entrance on the right side.

The original plan re: moving this depot involved its restoration and its use as a visitor’s center, provide office space and serve as a location where local history could be displayed.  The park and ride lot was in use and the old depot has been restored, however I didn’t see signs that it was being used.

Yes indeed!  We did stumble across one more depot on this short drive south. This is the New Haven Junction Depot.  This attractive little depot, built in the early 1850s, is located at US Hwy. 7 and VT Hwy. 17 in New Haven.  It has been fully preserved and it now serves as the offices of Roundtree Construction.  That company has nicely restored this old Italianate style brick depot.

The Rutland and Burlington Railroad was chartered by the State of Vermont in 1843.  By 1867, its name was officially changed to the Rutland Railroad.  In the second half of the 1800s, the railroad was a key transportation artery for Burlington’s lumber industry and Rutland’s marble quarries.

Then we arrived at the most important attraction for the day!  This is the University of Vermont’s Morgan Horse Farm.  In 1905, the United States Department of Agriculture established a Morgan horse breeding program at Burlington Vermont.  The purpose of the program was to produce horses with true Morgan attributes, while increasing their size and retaining the positive virtues of the breed…strength, athletic ability, endurance, versatility, temperament and economy. 

Just 2 years later, Colonel Joseph Battell (first editor of the American Morgan Horse Register), donated his farm near Middlebury and the experiment farm’s breeding stock was relocated.  This was the founding of the United States Morgan Horse Farm… Today, this working farm that dates back to 1878, is home to more than 40 Morgan horses.

This statue in front of that beautiful old working barn was erected in 1921 in commemoration of Justin Morgan.  He was born in Massachusetts but by 1788 he’d settled in Vermont.  In addition to being a horse breeder and farmer, Morgan was a singing teacher and composer.  He also served as town clerk in Randolph Vermont.  

Morgan horses are named after Justin and it all began with a small bay stallion that he owned.  His name was “Figure” and he became the foundation sire of the Morgan horse breed… FYI…Interestingly, Justin Morgan only owned “Figure” from 1792 – 1795 during which time, he advertised him for stud in nearby New Hampshire.

“Figure” is thought to have stood about 14 hands and to have weighed about 1,000 pounds.  He was known for his genetic dominance…his ability to pass on his looks, conformation, temperament and athleticism.  His parentage is unknown although his sire is thought to be an English Thoroughbred stallion. 

This skeleton of a Morgan horse is on display in the barn near the gift shop.  No…it’s not the Skeleton of ‘Figure’, the founding stallion.  This is ‘Blackhawk’, #20 in the Morgan horse registry and #5 in the American Trotting horse registry.  “Blackhawk” lived from 1833 to 1856.  He was 15 hands tall and weighed 1,000 lbs.  He was an undefeated harness racing champion…

The Morgan horse is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States, and the only early breed to survive to the present time.  All Morgans trace back to “Figure” that stallion who was born in West Springfield Massachusetts in 1789.  In 1792 “Figure” and 2 other horses were given to Justin Morgan in payment of a debt.  What a deal that was!  The “Justin Morgan horse” evolved into the name of the breed. 

Throughout the barn there are displays of horse related equipment (included these carriages), plaques, photos, old stud service advertisements, art work, tributes and much more. 

The University of Vermont – Middlebury (UVM) Morgan Horse Farm features seasonal events and educational opportunities, apprenticeships, and of course an interesting attraction for visitors, especially horse lovers.

The first part of our tour included a stroll through the barn where several horses were in their stalls.  Viewed through the mesh, this particular horse is “Otter Brook Xenophon”.  This black chestnut stallion will be twenty-seven years old in April of this year.

Here’s a little more about “Figure”, the breed’s founding stallion.  First of all, he changed owners quite often.  I tried counting them up but it appears that he had at least 15 owners over the years.  Other than standing at stud, “Figure” had many other jobs.  He raced, cleared land, worked in the logging industry, reviewed troops, won a pulling contest, worked on farms, hauled freight, was exhibited at fairs…and he served as parade mount for President James Monroe in 1817.  In 1821 “Figure” died in Vermont after being kicked by another horse.  He was 32 years old… 

Here I’m peering over the tour guide’s shoulder to take a good look at the mare and foal in this stall. 

The UVM Morgan Horse Farm is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the Morgan Horse through breeding and selection.  The farm itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For over 60 years the farm has provided educational experiences and training for students and visitors.  The farm is responsible for perpetuating 3 different Morgan horse bloodlines that can be traced back to “Figure”.

Here our guide shows us both of the horses in that stall.  The mare was quite patient with her curious youngster!

Morgan horses served many roles in the 1800s.  They were used as coach horses, harness racing, riding for pleasure and work and as cavalry horses during the Civil War on both sides of the conflict.  Morgans have also influenced other major American breeds including the American Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse and the Standardbred.  They have also been exported to other countries.  In England, a Morgan stallion influenced the breeding of the Hackney Horse. 

Then we watched these 2 young ladies grooming this handsome stallion.  There were about 2 dozen people in our tour group.

Then, one or two at a time, visitors were able to approach the horse and pet him.  He was very patient… In this case, I think that the mom and daughter were really into the experience!

After departing the big barn we were free to wander the grounds.  We strolled over to the old “Remount Barn”.  It was built in 1914 for use as a stallion barn.  During this period of time, the farm was supplying the US Cavalry with breeding stock for remounts.  The barn is now serving as a maternity ward for up to 10 foaling mares.

This mare and her foal were fascinated by some workers in their paddock who were trimming trees and working on the fence.  Nice pose, don’t you think?  There aren’t too many things more striking and fun to watch than a young foal!

The farm actually supplied Morgan’s until the 1950s for cavalry mounts.  The line termed the “Government Morgans”, (there are 4 lines in total), are regarded as substantial in bone/structure and they’re considered superbly athletic.  The UVM Morgans are superior broodstock, they’re very versatile and they make great family horses.

 

If you’d be interested in buying a Morgan horse or two for your farm or children, they are available for sale at the UVM farm.  Check it out at https://www.uvm.edu/cals/morganhorsefarm/horses-sale.

Our next to last stop at UVM’s Morgan Horse Farm was the Colt Shed.  There were several juveniles just lounging around like most juveniles around the world. 

The Farm also offers stallions to the public for stud services.  Currently, “Abington”, “Equity”, “Jubilant” and “Unchallenged” are offered at stud.  Back in 2005, there was an estimated population of 175,000 Morgan horses worldwide…

To learn more about Morgan horses and their history, you can go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_horse.

Considering Vermont’s climate, it wasn’t surprising to find that they have a large indoor riding rink.  The young lady on the horse (both inside and outside of the riding rink) may be part of the Apprentice Program at UVM.  The program offers an intensive experience.  Apprentices spend a year living, working and learning at the farm.  They are involved in a wide variety of the farm’s overall operations. 

We both considered the UVM Morgan Horse Farm one of our favorite experiences during our 3 week adventure.  The Farm is open to visitors daily from May 1 through October 31.  The price is right.  Admission is only $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for teens and $2.00 for kids 5 or older. 

The University of Vermont at Middlebury is located at 74 Battell Drive in Weybridge Vermont.  Phone: 802-388-2011.  You can visit their website at https://www.uvm.edu/cals/morganhorsefarm/about-us.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave