8 



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. * * * 



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

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

 horse called Silver Tail, from St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Both of these he heat 

 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 $50, by walking or trotting the 

 horses for it, which was declined. * * * 



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

 traveler but patient in bad spots; and although for a long time steadily engaged in 



FIG. 1. The original Justin Morgan. (From Linsley's "Morgan Horses.") 



the heavy work of a new farm, his owner at that time informs us that he never knew 

 him refuse to draw as often as he was required to, but, he pithily adds: "I didn't 

 very often have to ask him but once, for whatever he was hitched to generally had 

 co come the first time trying." This uniform kindness at a pull was one of the striking 

 characteristics of the horse, and the same trait may be observed in the greater part 

 of his descendants. "Pulling matches" and "pulling bees" were as common in 

 those days as short races, and the "little horse," as he was often called, became quite 

 celebrated for his unvarying willingness to do his best and for his great power at 

 what is called a "dead lift." * * * 



The quietness and exceedingly pleasant temper of the Justin Morgan is strikingly 

 evidenced by the fact that he was often ridden and driven by ladies. A lady of St. 

 [Cir. 163] 



