The Morgan is one of the first horse breeds developed in the United States. Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility. Breed characteristics The Morgan is compact and refined in build, with strong limbs, an expressive face, large eyes, well-defined withers, laid back shoulders and a well arched neck. There is officially one Breed Standard for Morgan type regardless of the discipline or bloodline of the individual horse. The breed standard ranges from 14.1-15.2 hands with some individuals over and under. Registered Morgans come in a variety of colors although they are most commonly bay, black, and chestnut. Less common colors include gray, palomino, roan, cremello, perlino, dun, buckskin, and silver dapple. Also present are three of the pinto color patterns: sabino, frame overo, and splash overo. Breed historyAll Morgans trace back to a single foundation sire, a stallion named Figure, who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 1789. He was at one time owned by a man named Justin Morgan. The horse later came to be identified by the name of this particular owner, and "the Justin Morgan horse" also gave its name to the breed. Figure is thought to have stood about 14 hh, and to have weighed about 950 lb. He was known for his prepotency, passing on his distinctive looks, conformation, temperament, and athleticism. He died in 1821 at the age of 32 and is now buried in Tunbridge, Vermont.