Vermont Magazine Summer 19 | Page 7

So, in 1907 it became the U.S. Government Morgan Horse Farm. Under the U.S.D.A., the farm bred Morgans as cavalry mounts until the 1950s. Known for their exceptional athleticism, U.S. Morgans competed in 300- and 400-mile trail rides in full cavalry appointments. The Government Morgans are one of the four main families of Morgan horses. Of the Morgans living today, an incredible percentage of their pedigrees can be traced back to the U.S. Morgan Horse Farm. Just as automobiles finally replaced draft animals, Morgans were finally no longer used as cavalry mounts. In 1951 the U.S.D.A. concluded its program in Weybridge and disbursed the herd to several land grant universities—and the University of Vermont became the steward of the Morgan Horse Farm. University of Vermont (UVM) students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have worked with the Morgans from Weybridge since the 1950s, studying equine management, reproduction, and ge- netics. The now “UVM” Morgan herd is one of the highest regarded in the world, known for conformity in type and confirmation. The farm offers horses for sale, stallions at stud, and breeding services. Internships for matriculated undergraduate students provide the opportunity to live and work on the historic farm, learning firsthand what it takes to care for 40 Morgan horses. VTMAG.com 5