When it comes to famous Morgan horses, the two most famous were known for being used as Calvary mounts in the Civil War by "Stonewall" Jackson and Sheridan, both high-ranking officers from the Confederate and the Union, respectively. The horses went by the names Little Sorrel and Reinz.
Another and quite possibly the most famous warhorse was used by a Comanche, who also happened to be the last surviving soldier of the Battle of Little Bighorn, in which General George Custard and his soldiers lost their lives.
The Morgan Horse is the state horse of two states. In 1961 it was named the state horse of Vermont. Then in 1970, it was named the state horse of Massachusetts.
Morgan horses were used as major players during the California gold rush; more than 125 horses were taken west.
They were also used for staging or better known as taxis in Chicago in 1839, more than 1500 of them. They were given to Chicago as well as New York City by New England for transportation, and then some were sent to California for ranch work and harness racing.
In Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, October 2007, over 200 Morgan Horses were used in the first ever all horse Halloween Parade. It became the biggest Horse Parade in Wisconsin history.
Morgan Horses can live up to and past 20 years old.
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Possibly the most famous Morgan Horse was "The Justin Morgan Horse" or Figure as he was called when he was first born. He started off as just a typical farm horse doing chores. He moved a log that no draft horse was able to move. President James Monroe rode the horse on a Munster-Day Parade ground. There was a horse in Vermont that was the fastest racehorse but "The Justin Morgan Horse" outran it. Some even say he was the greatest stud horse of all time as many mares were bred with him. Many Morgans today still exhibit the same characteristics and physical features as Justin Morgan since he was bred and he produced many other unique offspring.
One famous Morgan Horse of television came from the Walt Disney series "Zorro" which ran from 1957 to 1959 on the ABC station. It starred Guy Williams and of course his sidekick horse "Tornado".
Congress was responsible for the establishment of The United States Morgan Horse Farm in 1905. The farm was established in Weybridge, Vermont and was maintained by the Federal Government until 1951, then at which time the control of the farm was turned over to the University of Vermont and is still run by the University today.
During the 1850's and 1860's, the Vermont State fair became popular for being a venue for showing Morgan Horses.
As the years progress, the size of the Morgan Horse was becoming smaller, so efforts to breed them with other breeds were made to increase the size. Their size makes no difference in Japan though, they actually prefer it, they don't like their feet too far off the ground.
There are over 18,000 Morgan Horses within the vicinity of Vermont alone.
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