In 1789 Justin Morgan, a Massachusetts school teacher, traveled to Vermont hoping to improve his fortune. Although little is known of the teacher's success, every school child in Vermont knows the story of his horse, a small, but spirited, stallion named Figure.
Of Thoroughbred and Arabian ancestry, this little horse went on to sire a long line of Morgans, America's first light horse breed. Today the legacy continues thanks to research and outreach efforts at the University of Vermont (UVM) Morgan Horse Farm, which, as custodian of the breed, is dedicated to maintaining and improving the Morgan horse.
Best Morgans in the World The 215-acre farm in Weybridge, Vt. - a national historic site and Addison County's leading tourist attraction - welcomes 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually. Among them are breeders and horse lovers from all over the world interested in obtaining a 'UVM' Morgan, considered the best in the world.
As Director Stephen Davis explains, "To be able to put the initials 'UVM' by a Morgan horse's name substantially increases the horse's value."
Vermont Senator Cheryl Rivers, a Morgan horse owner and strong supporter of the farm, adds, "Since its earliest beginnings the farm has had a major impact in producing a supply of breeding stock for the Morgan world. Today, it continues to play an important role in supplying quality breeding stock to Vermont, America, and to breeders in other countries."
According to Davis, "Equine reproductive research is an ongoing area of focus for the farm's staff and breeding herd. Unfortunately, technology for artificial insemination in the equine industry is not as advanced as it is in the bovine world."
However, that may change. Josie Bartlett Davis, coordinator of the equine studies program at UVM's Animal and Food Science Department, is collaborating on research on the preservation of stallion semen for breeding purposes with Katie Ballard of the Miner Institute, Chazy, N.Y.
Education for the Future The farm also has earned a national reputation for its apprentice internship program, which was begun in 1972 by Dr. Donald Balch, the farm's first director. This certified experience has proven invaluable to many young people aspiring to a career in the horse industry.
For Sarah Marquis of Leicester, Vt., who began her apprenticeship in August 1995, it's a dream come true. "I've always had Morgans," she says, "and my riding instructor was an apprentice here. I've wanted to work here from the time I got my first horse."
Apprentices work a rigorous six-day week for 12 months, with the work day starting at 7 a.m. But the program has its rewards.
"I have learned good management skills and a lot about breeding," Marquis notes, "helpful if I want to have my own breeding farm someday. But I'm also excited about being part of a farm that is helping to improve the Morgan horse breed and being able to share what I know (about the farm) with visitors."
Lynda Malzac, barn supervisor for the apprenticeship program and a former apprentice, says, "I try to challenge them at their level. Some are just starting out and have limited horse experience. I give them as much responsibility as they can handle safely. This is one of the best programs in the United States for hands-on learning in handling horses of every age and every stage of training.
"The program also provides apprentices with an opportunity to deal with the public and participate in exhibitions, which often leads to contacts for employment."
Melissa Bessey, a recent apprentice, says her experience helped her land a job at a Morgan sport horse farm in Parker, Colorado.
"Working at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm is the best thing I ever did," she admits. "I gained valuable experience dealing with people and handling young horses. It was also my first time away from home, and I had to learn to live and work with others."
She adds that she's proud to have worked at the farm and to have been involved in activities to promote the Morgan breed. More than half of the barn at Janeway Farm where she now works are UVM Morgans.
The UVM Morgan Horse Farm is located on Rte. 23, 2.5 miles from Middlebury, Vt. and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, May to October. Admission. For more information, call (802) 388-2011.
