In Search of the Morgan Horse in Vermont
Vermont Travel Ideas for Vacation, Recreation, Fun and History
Sep 23, 2009
The Morgan Horse is an original American breed embraced nationwide, but its origin dates back to one prepotent stallion that spent most of his life in Vermont. That horse was named Figure, owned by Justin Morgan, a singing master and composer of hymns and psalmody of the late 18th century.
Figure's powerful capabilities as a performance horse and his charismatic presence made him a popular stallion. Through that one great stallion a breed was founded. Over the years the breed was preserved thanks in great part to the efforts of both larger breeders and small farmers in the hills of Vermont.
Today, following the trail of the Morgan Horse in Vermont can provide a visitor a vacation odyssey of rewarding sightseeing that includes historic landmarks, breathtaking scenery, hiking and biking trails, and stays in charming bed and breakfasts where the ambiance will stir the imagination.
Randolph Center, Vermont
Justin Morgan brought Figure to Randolph, Vermont when the horse two years old. There Justin Morgan taught music and engaged in other endeavors while his horse worked as a logging horse and road race trotter.
Randolph Center, Vermont remains today a small picturesque village. A large well-tended cemetery contains Justin Morgan gravestone and other names known in the early Morgan breed such as Morrill.
While visiting Randolph, visitors might stay at the Three Stallion Inn, a historic bed and breakfast that also offers a gourmet restaurant, full bar and adjoining golf course. This historical landmark is another site of Morgan Horse history. It was once the Morgan horse farm of Robert Lippitt Knight, an influential Morgan breeder.
Morgan horses no longer live at the Three Stallion Inn bed and breakfast, but the barns still grace the well-kept premises. The Inn's common rooms are spacious and comfortable with many historical artifacts and books to be enjoyed. The bedrooms are comfortable and charming with their own baths.The restaurant and bar are popular gathering places, providing good food, drink, and music.
Many private farms in the Randolph area still raise Morgan horses and welcome visitors. A list of Morgan breeders can be obtained from the American Morgan Horse Association. The area also lends itself to cycling, hiking, and idyllic walks.
Not far from Randolph is Tunbridge, home of the Lippitt Country Show in August, the annual horse show for the Lippitt Morgan Horse.
UVM Morgan Horse Farm at University of Vermont, Burlington
Morgan Horse history and modern day presence are a living experience at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm at the University of Vermont in Burlington. This beautiful venue showcases stallions, broodmares, and show horses, lovingly trained and cared for by students in the university's equine studies and related programs. An imposing statue of Figure, the Justin Morgan Horse, stands at the Farm, overlooking the breed of his creation.
The American Morgan Horse Association and National Museum of the Morgan Horse
Not far from Burlington is Shelburne, Vermont, home of the American Morgan Horse Association and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse. Vermont visitors who are interested in the Morgan Horse will find a great amount of information available here at the breed's headquarters. Visitors are warmly welcomed. (Check their website for days and hours.)
Middlebury, Vermont – Robert Frost
While in the Burlington area, it is not far to Middlebury. About 10 miles outside Middlebury is the Robert Frost Wayside Trail, which treats the hiker to Vermont's famous landscapes combined with stops along the way for selections of Frost's poetry. Frost was a lover of the Morgan Horse. He kept Morgans during his lifetime and wrote about a feisty Morgan colt in his well-known poem, "The Runaway."
It is a fitting portion of a Morgan Horse Vermont odyssey to combine the footsteps of Vermont's Poet Laureate with the hoofbeats of Vermont's own horse.
Inn at Mountain View Farm, Bed and Breakfast, East Burke, Vermont
As mentioned, many Vermont citizens were instrumental in perpetuating and developing the Morgan Horse breed. One of these was Elmer A. Darling, a wealthy Morgan enthusiast who owned Burke Mountain in East Burke, Vermont.
Mr. Darling dedicated himself to acquiring breeding stock of fine Morgans. He designed and built a barn especially for his Morgans at his farm estate, Mountain View Farm, along with many other barns and working buildings. His estate was luckily kept intact for over 100 years for the enjoyment of tourists today as a quality bed and breakfast and meeting center. It is also an animal sanctuary.
As a guest at the Inn at Mountain View Farm one can browse through the beautifully preserved barns and imagine fine Morgan horses being harnessed for a drive, grazing the fields, or being groomed for a show. Or, one can walk along many of the flowered pathways or hike across the 400-plus acres still part of the property.
Following in the hoofbeats and history of the Morgan Horse will take the Vermont traveler to many venues to enjoy around the state of Vermont. Discoveries await along the way.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
