Morgans for novices like me?

Debutante · #1 12th Sep 2002, 09:29 PM

Since there are so many knowledgeable ‘horse people’ on the NR forums, I’d like to ask your opinions on the Morgan Horse . I have absolutely fallen in love with the breed, particularly the calm, gentle temperament it’s known for and its old-world appearance. I’m currently in the market for my first horse and of course, would adore a Morgan gelding or mare…I think.

Problem is, all the breeders I talk to (and the Morgan books I read) are extremely biased to the point of giving the breed God-like qualities, which is normal I guess.

What I really need are brutally honest opinions on the Morgan, and whether you think one would be suitable for a novice rider/owner like me. By the way, I’m well aware that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ individuals in EVERY breed – (by that I mean ‘suitable’), but I’m looking for some generalizations here, if possible. Also, I would be boarding him/her at a reputable yard where he/she would have the best of love and care.

All opinions/comments/advice/questions are most welcome.

Thanks,
Debutante

cvb · #2 12th Sep 2002, 09:43 PM

hi debutante - I was not sure which thread to reply to....

I don't know about morgans in Canada, but I have seen some in UK. Most are very gorgeous, but I think they have their moments !

One owner had one that had no brakes. An american trainer rode it and got it listening so it wasn't "bad" just poorly educated. (interestingly it did not look like a morgan until the trainer got it going well - just like a boring old arab type cross)

I get the impression that all that 'spark' and pizazz comes from somewhere, and they can be quite a handful.

Having said that, so can any horse - so if it was me, I would go and see some at shows - and see if I can wonder around the stables and warm up areas to get a better view. Go and see a few with an experienced 'second opinion'. I think if you 'click' with a particular horse and have a good support system, then you are more likely to cope with any new horse - whether morgan or not.

KarinUS · #3 13th Sep 2002, 02:30 AM

Even within the breed horses can be such individuals!
Quarter Horses are supposed to be good for beginners and calm and I've met some pretty 'evil' Quarter Beasts...
Thoroughbreds are supposed to be overly sensitive and hot and mine is extremely sensible.
I don't know of any Morgans, but I bet you can find a suitable one in that breed as well, if you know what you want and look around long enough to find it!

When you go looking take your camera and post the pics, so we can enjoy your 'journey' as well!

Shmon · #4 13th Sep 2002, 02:50 PM

Morgans in general are a good breed (from what I've read - I'm no expert!)

But of course, as Karin said, there's always discrepancies in personality within the breeds. Like her, I've known wonderful, calm, bomb-proof TB's while the supposedly level-headed QH is scared of a leaf blowing down the driveway.

If you're looking for a Morgan, I wouldn't stop you, but make SURE when you're looking that the temperament of the horse is right for you. Don't get the hot-headed Morgan over a sane horse of different breed just b/c you want a Morgan! Temperament is always the most important thing when finding a horse. And, make sure you're patient. Horse shopping takes a long time.

Good Luck! (I'm jealous you're horse-shopping!)

kedwards · #5 14th Sep 2002, 02:38 PM

I love morgans, they're adorable. They do have a reputation as being very willing horses.

As you are well aware, individual training and temperament is the key to finding a nice horse for a novice rider/owner. If there are plenty of Morgans around your area, then you should be able to find one that suits you well.

jUmPingIsLifE · #6 14th Sep 2002, 02:56 PM

you should judge the individual horse, not the breed i have only had two experiances with morgans

Yogi --- nutty, crazy NOT a novice horse, would bolt on a dime.
Lydia--schoolmaster, could be ridden and worked with by the most nervous beginner!

its the individual horse that counts...as you see by my two examples of morgans i have known, temperment and such depends on the horse

TNT · #7 15th Sep 2002, 02:40 AM

My Jasmine is Morgan/QuarterHorse. She's been a very good horse for me (a beginner). The only time she's ever been real difficult is when she's in heat. She has a wonderful trot that is very comfortable to sit. I always wanted a Morgan and she just kinda fell into my lap. I hope you're lucky enough to find a Morgan I think they're great!

lisae · #8 15th Sep 2002, 03:11 AM

I had a Morgan gelding for two years. Sold him last November. My situation is that the horse is kept at my house, and I primarily trail ride alone. Without a support system, he proved too much for me, because I am a tentative handler/rider and he had a personality that was at once both dominating and fearful. (He had tendencies to return to the barn, or balk out on the trail- don't ask him to go past cattle!) He would try everything and what he really needed was someone who could say 'stop that, I'm the leader, we're doing it this way." To his credit he never did anything dangerous (no bucks, no rearing, just a lot of hopping was enough for me) But when he was handled by experienced riders, he was a different horse and extremely willing. Very upheaded and dramatic in his movement always, though. Other Morgan owners I had met always believed that Morgans of his lineage were "opinionated". So as said above, it's the individual horse you have to evaluate.

Laetitia · #9 15th Sep 2002, 06:03 AM

Just don't get yourself a green horse.Novice with novice is not a good combination.Have an open mind and you'll find the horse for you, Morgan or not.Don't get talked into having something you're not that keen on.Spend time,is there a mad rush?I've been there and regretted it.Good luck.L

Debutante · #10 16th Sep 2002, 01:51 PM

To everyone who replied to my Morgan Horse query: Thank you! All of your opinions are very helpful.
I’m definitely not in a huge rush to find "my" horse. In fact, I’ve given myself at least 2 years to look around and find the "perfect" match (ha).

Fortunately there are lots of all-Morgan shows and events near where I live so I will continue to do my 'homework'. I want an older, safe and sane schoolmaster -- gelding or mare -- who is NOT green and is NOT more than I can handle. He/she will be a constant daily companion and have the love & attention of my entire family so he/she really needs to like people. They say that "good things come to those who wait" so, hopefully it'll all work out in the end.

Thanks again!

Debutante

kedwards · #11 17th Sep 2002, 01:37 PM

Good for your Debutante. That's wonderful, and very wise, that you're giving yourself the luxury of time to wait for the right horse. I'm starting a horse search and I hope I can be equally patient.

KarinUS · #12 17th Sep 2002, 06:25 PM

although I can't wait to hear the update on that one! LOL!!!

My plan was to find a horse by December 2002. My instructor told me to count on spending several months searching, so in April we decided to start looking in June 2002.
Sounds reasonable right? Well, what can I say, I've had my horse since May 2002 ....

(bad me!)

kedwards · #13 18th Sep 2002, 03:56 PM

In your case, Karin, it was a good thing you didn't let that wonderful horse trot on by

We should all be so lucky to find as a good of a match as you have.

kelsey · #14 18th Sep 2002, 05:10 PM

Hi Debutante, if you like the look and temperament of the old-fashioned Morgans, you should look at a Canadien (now the national breed of Canada!)

Many researchers now believe that Justin Morgan was a Canadien, not a TB as previously believed. DNA testing between the breeds backs this up. Canadiens are descended from the first horses brought over to North America from the French, and have a lot of Barb (large type of Arab) and Spanish and Norman blood.

My horse is fantastic! He is a dream on trails (he never spooks, the worst he will do is a little sideways jump like a "huh?"), and incredibly easy to ride and train. I got him as a green six year old (mainly used for driving) a couple of years ago - he now goes beautifully in a frame. His trot is so easy to sit, it makes me look like a much better rider than I am.

These horses are incredibly versatile, I know people are showing dressage in Eastern Ontario and beating all the warmbloods in the lower and middle levels, the provincial jumper champion in Quebec last year was a Canadien, and they are winning shorter-distance trail rides, and cleaning up in driving competitions. I know several people who operate riding schools who are planning to replace all their horses with Canadiens because of this versatility and the fact that they are so bombproof, easy to ride and can carry weight.

He doesn't have shoes (great legs and feet), and is such an easy keeper that he needs less than half the grain of any horse in the barn (including ponies). Great turned out with any horses, he sticks up for himself but never gets aggressive. No vices, has never bucked, napped, reared, kicked, bit, cribbed......pops into the trailer first time and pops right out again. No issues with strange places or new things at all.

I haven't needed the vet once, aside from shots and floating teeth. (The breed's nickname is the Little Iron Horse.)

I have ridden all sorts of horses, and I wouldn't trade this one for anything. He is a "what you see is what you get" kind of horse who never seems to have a bad day and is always ready to try his heart out at anything.

By the way, someone from England came into my barn and said, "Hey, you have a Welsh Cob" (I think they probably have a similar heritage?)

Anyway, enough raving for now. Did I already say that I LOVE MY HORSE?!?!?

Debutante · #15 18th Sep 2002, 06:21 PM

Hi Kelsey,

It is really interesting that you should bring up the subject of Canadiens because I’ve always said that the Canadien is the other breed (besides the Morgan) that I would absolutely LOVE to own. In fact, I had mentioned them again to my husband just this morning.

Almost everyone who has one adores him/her and everything you read on Canadiens supports all the great things you said about your fellow. (Yours sounds so fabulous if he were human I’d marry him ASAP.)

I have a terrific book by Lawrence Scanlan called ‘Le Petit Cheval de Fer’ (Little Horse of Iron) which is all about the resurgence of this wonderful breed.
Where are you located, if you don’t mind my asking? I am about one hour north of Toronto. Did you get yours from a local breeding farm? Would you have any recommendations for me?

Thanks so much!

Debutante
The Canadian Canadien Fan

kelsey · #16 19th Sep 2002, 05:43 PM

Hi Debutante! Your post made me laugh because I always tell my husband that I am going to divorce him and marry the horse.

I am just west of Toronto so we are (almost) neighbours!

Actually there are more Canadiens around than you might think. I got mine from a breeder outside Ottawa, he dropped him off for me to try out for a month (I was sold on him after the first day!)

Since then I have heard a few not so great things about this particular breeder (and noticed a few things about him in my own situation), so I don't know if I would recommend him.

There are a couple of breeders around here that are supposed to be good - I think there is one in Erin and a few out towards Niagara. There was a beautiful Canadien stallion at the place in Waterdown where my sister-in-law kept her horse. And of course there are a lot in Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Some of them have websites if you do a search for "Canadien horse breeders". You will probably also find some breed associations, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

I think that if you met a few Canadiens, you would see why everybody loves them!

Happy Riding!

mikka · #17 19th Sep 2002, 07:50 PM

There's a school near us (Ottawa) that has some Canadiens for sale - maybe it's one of the places that Kelsey has visited? They're a wonderful breed, so hardy and kind natured, if a little strong at times! Their site is www.centaurridingschool.com
It shows several pictures. My 13 year old daughter has ridden both Flick and Duke and they're lovely, though Flick is still learning and can be a bit heavy on the hand. I've watched Harley in action and he goes very, very nicely. Don't know anything about Haysom, but I can find out more if you're interested.

kelsey · #18 20th Sep 2002, 02:38 AM

I like the Centaur site! Don't tempt me with more Canadiens for sale. How is the instructor? I ask because I am about to move to a barn owned by a woman who moved here from Germany and is also a certified instructor. We are going to work mainly on dressage.

You are right about Canadiens being strong - mine dislikes having his mouth pulled on and he will just lean down and
chug along like a freight train if you do. Not bolting or anything, just saying, "I don't like the way you're riding so I'm taking over." (Fortunately, he also stops immediately on hearing "Whoa")

TNT · #19 20th Sep 2002, 02:59 AM

This is so strange! I had never heard of the Canadian breed until I read the posts in here. At work today a woman I work with gave me an article in todays newspaper it was about a man in Kalispell Montana who is trying to breed the ideal Montana horse. He is crossing Canadians with Fox Trotters. There's a picture of him with his stud Canadian and dang if it doesn't look just like my mare. I bought Jasmine from a woman who got her as a foal from a slaughter house . Her mom went to slaughter and the woman rescued Jasmine who was only 2 months old. She was told that she was Morgan/Quarter Horse. Everyone including my trainer says she looks very Morgan but after seeing and reading this article we're both wondering if she may be Canadian. Shes black with the kinky kind of mane and long thick tail arched neck, sturdy legs with big black strong hoofs that my farrier said were so strong he didn't think she needed shoes. She's built very thick and has a large chest and heavey boned. I'm really wondering if she just might be Canadian. No way to really prove it but I really thought it was strange that I'd never even heard of the breed and now all of sudden it's here and in the local paper today!

mikka · #20 20th Sep 2002, 02:59 AM

Hi Kelsey,

The instructors are excellent. The woman who owns the place is a level III dressage instructor and is well-respected in competition circles. I understand there's a new dressage teacher who's from, I think, Germany. She certainly knows her stuff, but I've heard some of the riders comment that she uses different terms for some things. I don't get the feeling it's a big issue. The other instructors all have, I believe, at least level II. I've also heard that the owner keeps up the schooling of the horses herself. I've ridden one of her Canadiens and found him to be not only a perfect gentleman, but unusually responsive to aids for a schoolie. And for a smallish chap he's definitely a big mover, which I really like.

Come to think of it, I've never ridden a Canadien I didn't like. I'm especially taken with their gentleness and incredible common sense.

If you ever head this way, I'd be happy to introduce you - and, of course, put you up!

Mikka