AMERICAN BREEDS 125 



ians, the prestige which the Morgans had enjoyed as road 

 horses was shattered. Morgan mares were mated with, sons and 

 grandsons of Hambletonian, and later those of Denmark, to such 

 an extent that for years the breed, in its original purity and type, 

 has been threatened with extinction. To this very fact, however, 

 may be attributed, in some part at least, the merit that has been 

 attained in the Standardbrcd and the American Saddle horse. 

 A study of the blood lines of a great many of the most conspicu- 



FiG. 89. — A Morgan siiillion, showing the size, form, and character 

 typical of thia family of horses. 



ous representatives of the two breeds reveals to what extent the 

 Morgan has been incorporated, especially through foundation 

 mares. The blood has, therefore, been spent rather than lost. 



A description of Justin Morgan is typical of his descendants 

 (Fig. 89). lie was brown, slightly over 14 hands in height, 950 

 pounds in weight, very compactly made, with a short, strong 

 back, round, deep rib, broad loin, and strong coupling; a breedy 

 head, proudly carried, rather heavy neck, with prominent crest, 

 short legs well set and of unusual substance ; and an airy, busy, 

 but not high way of going. Bay, bro^vn, and black colors prevail 



