THE HORSE. 715 



ably large for a horse of his size. This superabundance of muscle exhibited itself at every 

 step. His hair was short, and at almost all seasons soft and glossy. He had a little long 

 hair about the fetlocks, and for two or three inches above the fetlock on the back side of the 

 legs; the rest of the limbs were entirely free from it. His feet were small, but well shaped; 

 and he was in every respect perfectly sound and free from any sort of blemish. He was a 

 very fast walker. In trotting, his gait was low and smooth, and his step short and nervous. 

 He was not what in these days would be called fast; and we think it doubtful whether he 

 could trot a mile much, if any, within four minutes; though it is claimed by many that he 

 could trot it in three. 



Although he raised his feet but little, he never stumbled. His proud, bold, and fearless 

 style of movement, and his vigorous, untiring action have perhaps never been surpassed. 

 When a rider was on him, he was obedient to the slightest motion of the rein; would walk 

 backwards rapidly under a gentle pressure of the bit; and moved sideways almost as will 

 ingly as he moved forward; in short, was perfectly trained to all the paces and evolutions of 

 a parade-horse. &quot;When ridden at military reviews (as was frequently the case), his bold, 

 imposing style, and spirited, nervous action attracted universal attention and admiration. He 

 was perfectly gentle and kind to handle, and loved to be groomed and caressed; but he dis 

 liked to have children about him, and had an inveterate hatred for dogs, if loose always 

 chasing them out of sight the instant he saw them. When taken out with halter or bridle, 

 he was in constant motion, and very playful. 



He was a fleet runner at short distances. Running horses short distances for small 

 stakes, was very common in Vermont fifty years ago. Eighty rods was very generally the 

 length of the course, which usually commenced at a tavern or grocery, and extended the dis 

 tance agreed upon, up or down the public road. In these races the horses were started from 

 a scratch, that is, a mark was drawn across the road in the dirt, and the horses, ranged in a 

 row upon it, went off at &amp;lt; the drop of a hat or some other signal. It will be observed that 

 the form of Justin Morgan was not such as in our days is thought best calculated to give 

 the greatest speed for a short distance. Those who believe in long-legged racers will think 

 his legs, body, and stride were all too short, and to them it may perhaps seem surprising that 

 he should be successful, as he invariably was, in such contests. 



But we think his great muscular development and nervous energy, combined with his 

 small size, gave him a decided advantage in the first start over taller and heavier horses; 

 just as any ordinary horse can distance the finest locomotive in a ten-rod race. At all events, 

 the history of racing in this country and England proves conclusively that small horses may 

 have great speed. In such a race, a horse of great spirit and nervous energy derives a 

 decided advantage from these qualities, especially after being a little accustomed to such 

 struggles. When brought up to the line, his eyes flashed and his ears quivered with intense 

 excitement, he ground the bit with his teeth, his hind legs were drawn under him, every muscle 

 of his frame trembled and swelled almost to bursting, and at the given signal he went off like 

 the springing of a steel trap. His unvarying success in these short races may perhaps be 

 partly accounted for in this way, though he was undoubtedly possessed of more than ordinary 

 speed, and was a sharp runner. 



Among the many races of this description that he ran were two in 1796, at Brookfield, 

 Vermont, one with a horse called Sweepstakes, from Long Island, and the other with a horse 

 called Silver Tail, from St. Lawrence County, New York; both of these he beat with ease. 

 Mr. Morgan (who then owned him) offered to give the owner of Silver Tail two more chances 

 to win the stake, which was fifty dollars, by walking or trotting the horses for it, which was 

 declined. There are many accounts of other races which he ran and won; but, these 

 accounts not fully agreeing as to the details, we have not mentioned them. 



In harness Justin Morgan was quiet, but full of spirit; an eager and nimble traveler, 



