In the 1800s my family raised Morgan's and even had a County race track that only allowed this breed for racing.

I am looking for a horse to take me into the back country Wilderness areas and wonder if this breed is suitable? One thing to note is that I am over 6'6" tall and 250 pounds. Below is a sample of the mountains this horse would visit.

These animals were used by the armor clad knights which put a lot of weight on them .Morgan, Clydesdale, Percheron or a 15 hand mule should be able to haul you as they're all draft animals.So where is this scene in N. Cal we backpacked in this area summers and hunted in and around the Marble Mtns out of Ft Jones,Etna,Callihan,Scott Bar,etc.

This is Lora. I'm Crazyhorse's other half. (you know, the redhead, NOT the hothead!)

Justin Morgan's horse was the founder of the first breed which originated in the US. The first Morgan was ridden by Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys in the Revolutionary War. He was sturdy enough to plow all day then win races (trotting harness). This stallion was prepotent (passed his desirable charactaristics on to his children).

The Morgan is one of the founding breeds of the American Quarter horse.

Morgans are known for being 'bomb-proof' which is why many police horses are Morgans or Morgan crosses. The most popular of the Morgan crosses is the Morab, Morgan/Arabian.

They're strong, have incredible endurance, very intellegent, long-lived. They are flashy without being frail-looking. Mules whose mothers are Morgans are exceptional.

Most Morgans are around 15 hands, although you do sometimes see one as big as 15 3.

I am picking up a Morgan mare and Filly from Colorado Springs next month. She has been used for several years for hunting in the Rockies, both mulie and elk. Her current owner looks to be about 6 foot tall.

Absolutely get a Morgan!

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where is this scene in N. Cal we backpacked in this area summers and hunted in and around the Marble Mtns out of Ft Jones,Etna,Callihan,Scott Bar,etc

The picture is from the south end of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness Area on the Middle Fork of the Eel River. This is about 75 miles south of the Marbles. Trust me this horse will see the Marbles.

Crazyhorse's Redhead -- Thanks for the history. My great great grandfather was a farmer/logger and is known in the history books as the second doctor to our area and traveled far and wide on his Morgan's. By the way my wife is also the redhead and I am the hothead here.

I do need to say that we have amazing mountains all around us here!

I have used many breeds of horses here in Montana and IMHO the morgan is one of the best because of all the reasons already explained. The only problem I have found is alot of the newer morgan are pretty small. I like my horses to be 15.1 or 15.2. Alot of the morgans I am seeing now are 15 or less.

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I am over 6'6" tall and 250 pounds

I worry about the smaller horses and want a large one myself. I was hoping for well over 15 hands.

333_OKH:

I use my morgans in the mountains, and though they are not tall, they ride like a much bigger horse. Morgans are sort of the Labrador of the horse world; they can do everything reasonably well and are kind and enthusiastic.

You can also find morgans that go at or over 16-hands.

Don't mind Morgans, but I don't think you can lump them in with those heavies that packed the armoured elite of Europe.

hre I go givin my opinion again... not only does your horse have to pack your big butt up the mountain, he also has to pack himself! It has been my observation that smaller shorter legged horses seem to do better than big lanky long legged horses in steep rocky country. find the smallest horse that fits your hight and weight. stay away from thoughabreds and appendix. Foxtrotters, Arabs, Morgans, Morabs, come to mind.

I hope they're ok . I going to go pick up a Morab mare this afternoon for the wife to ride out in the woods

I've had a couple Morgan's, my current riding horse is a reg Morgan, from my limited experience they're awesome in the mountains. Here's mine, on the left, from last fall, in the Willmore in NW Alberta...

Oh by the way the Morgan on the left above isn't a small horse, a little under 16hh, and I'm not that small at 6'1" 230, but he can haul me 12 hours and he goes hard all day.

So ya I think if you get the right one (like any horse) they are well suited for high country riding.

Morgans are great horses and buy a big Morgan and you'll be fine...I would worry more about the individual horse than the breed anyway. buy one that was raised in the mountains and not in a pen is the best advise your going to get.....

Myself, I will always ride quarter horses and some Throughbreds or running quarters.......