The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farmby Fran FolsomTucked away off a long, winding road in the little town of Weybridge Vermont is the world renowned University of Vermont (UVM) Morgan Horse Farm. This National Historic Site sits majestically on 215 acres of lush pasture and woodlands. The palatial 19th century Victorian barn is home to, at any given time, 80 to 100 Morgans, the state horse of Vermont. (place picture number one here) The lineage of the Morgan horse dates back to 1789 when Justin Morgan, a schoolteacher from Randolph Vermont, was given a small bay stallion as payment on a debt. Morgan named the stallion Figure for his short, sturdy build. Records show that Figure weighed less than 1000 pounds and stood only 14 hands in height, but, he could do the work of five horses.(place picture number 2 here) His genetics were so strong that no matter what mare Justin Morgan bred him to the offspring had Figure’s characteristics, build, intelligence and speed. He lived to be 32 years old and sired hundreds of progeny. Today, many Morgan champions are directly linked to Figure, or, Justin Morgan, as he became known by in horse circles. These horses have held high places in history. The breed’s traits of being fearless and loyal make them ideal for cavalry and artillery units. In the Civil War the Vermont Cavalry rode Morgan horses. Union General Philip Sheridan’s Morgan, Rienzi, and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson’s Little Sorrel were directly descended from Figure. Morgan horses have been bred and raised on the UVM Morgan Horse Farm since 1870 when it was owned by Colonel Joseph Battell, a wealthy philanthropist. Battell spent his life breeding, studying and researching the pedigree of the Morgan horse. In 1907 he donated the farm to the U.S. government for the sole purpose of breeding, training, selling and exhibiting the breed for the cavalry. The government turned the farm over to the University of Vermont in 1951. Today, it hosts between 50,000 - 60,000 visitors a year; horse lovers, Morgan owners and breeders from all over the world. Inside the barn are photographs, trophies and ribbons garnered by UVM Morgans at shows and competitions throughout Vermont, and across the country. The UVM farm has gained national recognition for its apprentice internship program, a year long course teaching the history and traits of the Morgan horse and about foaling, breeding, caring for and training of the horse. This is total emersion, the schedule is a tough one, six days a week the apprentices live, eat and sleep (sometimes) with the horses. They also give guided tours of the barn, an excellent opportunity for visitors to observe up close the beauty and intelligence of the Morgan horse. If you’re lucky, you might see a Morgan in the training circle being put through its paces by an apprentice, on voice command alone. No reins, leads, or ropes. Each year a raffle for a UVM foal is held, with proceeds benefiting the farm and its mission to preserve the breed. The winner of this year’s foal, UVM Quicksilver, will be announced on October 31st. Take a chance and help a worthy cause, who knows, for the price of a ticket ($2.00) you could win an outstanding UVM Morgan. If you win and don’t have housing for the foal, an apartment is no place for one, no problem, you can donate it back to the farm. UVM Morgan Horse Farm
74 Battell Drive
Weybridge, VT
802-388-2011
www.uvm.edu/morgan Tours are available on the hour, 9:00am - 4:00pm daily – May 1st to October 31st. Admission; $5.00 adults, $4.00 students, children under 5 free. Images courtesy of Vermont Bureau of Tourism http://www.travellady.com/Destinations/vermont.htm http://www.travellady.com/Special/RoadTrips.htm http://www.travellady.com/Special/heritagetravel.htm | 