The Magnificent Modern Morab Horse

orab breed of horse is a selectively bred equine thathim passes through their pedigrees in great numbers
combines the finest traits of two treasured and wellprimarily through the 103 progeny of Flyhawk
documented breeds, the Morgan horse and theMHA7526.
Arabian horse, to form the best of both parent breeds.After that, little is recorded about Morabs until the
It has been the dream horse of breeders since the1920’s, when the famous publisher, William
1800's. The combination of the Arabian and MorganRandolph Hearst, had a short-lived Morgan breeding
characteristics is genetically complementary and givesprogram which included breeding Morabs for use in the
a refined, muscular, graceful horse with enhancedmountainous terrain of the Hearst Ranch. Hearst is
beauty and strength.credited with coining the term "Morab". He registered 18
Crosses between breeds can produce foals that lookMorabs and some of them were registered as
nothing like their own siblings or like the other crossbredMorgans with the "Sunical" prefix, under the
foals down the road. But this is not true of the Morab.now-extinct outcross rule of the American Morgan
First generation Morabs have a consistently uniformHorse Association (AMHA).
look, with some degree of refinement with very littleThe first Morab registry, the American Morab Horse
change shown in the second, third, forth, and even fifthAssociation Inc. (a closed corporation where members
generation of Morabs. In fact, they transmit theirhad no vote) was founded by Ilene Miller in 1973 and
characteristics with such a high degree of certainty towas also called Morab Horse Registry of America,
their progeny that it is possible to predict with incrediblewhich was often shortened to “Clovis”
accuracy what the successive generations of foalsfor the California town where it was located. When
will look like, and what traits they are likely to inherit. It isshe died in 1980, this first registry rapidly faded away. In
this ability of Morabs to transmit their distinguishing1976, The Hearst Memorial Morab Horse Registry was
characteristics to their progeny, calledstarted, and registered 50 horses. With the retirement
"prepotency”, which makes the Morab a distinctof the founders, the Hearst Registry merged with the
breed from the very first generation, rather than just aNorth American Morab Horse Association (NAMHA)
nice cross-bred horse.that was formed in Wisconsin after Mrs. Miller’s
Only the first generation Morabs can be triple breeddeath. NAMHA accepted all "Clovis" horses and began
registered. They are eligible for Morab registration,registering as many Morabs as they could find. The
Half-Morgan registration in the Archival Morganfirst Morab registered by NAMHA was in 1984.
Record, and Half-Arabian registration in theThe International Morab Breeders' Association (IMBA)
Half-Arabian Registry (IAHA), even though they arewas founded in 1986 as a full-service breed
technically neither half-Morgan nor half-Arab. In addition,association and registry for Morabs and half-Morabs,
many are eligible for registration in the various colorand incorporated in 1987 by Morab horse breeders
registries such as Pinto, Palomino and Buckskin, andwho wanted an organized way to promote their
also as American Warmbloods. Successivehorses. The International Morab Registry (IMR) then
generations of Morabs, bred Morab-to-Morab, are nostarted in 1992, and represents the Morab breed back
longer eligible for either half-registry, but they continueto 1973. The IMR requires documented Arabian and
to be registerable in the aforementioned specialtyMorgan bloodlines and allows a horse to be no more
registries, as well as in the Morab registry.than 75% Arabian to 25% Morgan, or vice versa.
Although the Morab’s official status as a distinctSo, just what are the characteristics that make the
breed began in 1973 with the establishment of the firstaverage 950 to 1200 pound Morab that ranges from
Morab registry, its history traces back as far as the14.1 hands to 15.2 hands in the variety of colors and
original Morgan horse, Justin Morgan, who can bemarkings common to both Morgans and Arabians so
traced back to the Godolphin Arabian. The Morabmagnificent?
history appears to have begun in the west and comesFor starters, the Arabian's skeleton is different from
from both the Arabian horse side of the story, and theother horse breeds in that it has fewer bones. It has 17
Morgan horse side, but there has been limitedribs, while other horses have 18; it has 5 lumbar
information prior to 1973.vertebrae, while other horses have 6; and it has 16 tall
When the 1857 book "The Morgan Horse", by D. C.vertebrae while other horses have 18. This skeleton
Lindsley came out, a lot of background was filled in. Inwas also passed onto the Morab, so there are only
his book he stated that when mares of Morgan bloodtwo breeds with this distinct and unusual skeletal
could not be obtained, mares possessing a strain ofstructure.
racing or Arabian blood could be considered; and heThe Arabian's powerful lungs and endurance capacity,
specifically recommended 1/8 to 1/4 Arabian blood ascombined with the broad, powerful chest of the
suitable. Because of this statement, there were manyMorgan, gives the Morab a naturally superior breathing
Morgan/Arab crosses registered in the Americansystem for enhanced endurance and stamina. The
Morgan Horse Association registry prior to 1948. Aftershorter back in the Morab, combined with the longer
that date outcrosses were no longer allowed.croup of the Morgan, gives the Morab a natural athletic
History’s first recorded Morab was bred inability, great strength and a smooth gait which enables
1855. This stallion was named Golddust and he hadthem to excel in competitive and endurance riding,
great merit because his sire was a Vermont Morgandressage, jumping and as a cutting horse.
and his dam was an unregistered Hoke mare that saidThe head of the Morab may be straight or slightly
to be by Zicaaldi, a chestnut Arabian stallion presenteddished with a large powerful jaw in contrast to a small
by the Sultan to the United States Consul, Mr. Rhind,muzzle with large nostrils. A wide forehead sets off
and imported by him. Golddust was pure gold in color,the Morab’s large expressive eyes. The body
stood 16 hands and weighed in at 1275 pounds. Heis compact, well muscled, stylish and smooth. The
was never defeated in the show ring at the trot, and itMorgan genes add a thick, luxuriant mane and tail to
was rumored that he could cover 6 miles per hour atthe Morab, which balances out the breed's muscular
the flat walk. No other stallion of his time producedbuild. Many breeders report that their Morabs are
better horses.never shod and require minimum hoof trimming.
Golddust was recorded as Morab #69 in the MorganIts intelligent, dependable and affectionate nature is the
Registry when provisions for recording the MorganMorab's most valued quality. When the people-loving
Arabian crosses were made in both the early Morgannature of the spirited Arabian is added, the breed
and Arabian Registries. However, this wascannot be beat in temperament and it is an easy
discontinued in the Arabian Horse Club Registry aroundhorse to train and handle.
World War I just before International Arabian HorseIn fact, the refined, sculpted beauty of the Arabian,
Association formed in the 1940's and began registeringjoined with the Morgan’s dramatic natural style
only purebred Arabians. Unfortunately, with thatand stamina, creates an elegant yet powerful horse
change, those earlier records were lost, but accordingthat makes it is easy to see why Morab owners
to the IMR records, over 100 of today’streasure their horses and usually keep them for life.
Morabs can trace back to Golddust. The connection to