Morab

For the village in Karnataka, India, see Morab, Belgaum.
Morab
A bay Morab under saddle
Country of originUnited States
DistributionUnited States
Traits
Height
  • 144–157 cm[1]: 487 
Colorany solid color
Breed standards

The Morab is an American horse developed through the cross-breeding of Arabian and Morgan horses. The breeding of Morab horses began in the late 1880s with the intent of creating a fine carriage horse that was still substantial enough for moderate farm labor.

History

The Morab originated in the late nineteenth century as a result of cross-breeding of Arabian and Morgan stock; it retains some characteristics of each breed.[2]: 450  The first Morab registry was created in 1973. Prior to this, Morabs were primarily undocumented horses bred for type.[citation needed] Many early Morabs were registered with the American Morgan Horse Association, as the Morgan studbook was still open that time, and these horses have since been fully assimilated into the Morgan breed.[citation needed]

Characteristics

The Morab usually stands between 144 and 157 cm (14.1 and 15.2 hands) at the withers,[1]: 487  but may reach 163 cm (16.0 h).[2]: 450  It may be of any solid color, including bay, black, chestnut or gray, or sometimes buckskin, palomino or dun.[2]: 450 [3]

The head is generally fine, with a broad forehead, large eyes, small ears, and a slightly concave profile. The mane and tail are thick, the tail high-set and often held high.[2]: 450 

References

  1. ^ a b Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. ^ a b c d Élise Rousseau, Yann Le Bris, Teresa Lavender Fagan (2017). Horses of the World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691167206.
  3. ^ Morab Coat Colors, "Morab Color Coats Info @ Purebred Morab Horse Association (PMHA)". Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2009.