The Morgan horse, America’s oldest indigenous breed, is easily identified by its curvy conformation, buoyant gaits, and diverse athletic talents.
The Morgan was founded by a single sire born in 1789, known as Figure or “the Justin Morgan horse.” He was named after his owner, a Vermont music teacher and writer of hymns.
Initially, the breed became renowned for helping 19th century New Englanders tame rugged farmland, settling the West, and its loyalty as a cavalry mount. Today, whether you want a show horse, sport horse, trail horse, or family horse, it remains the Morgan’s friendly personality and trainability that wins hearts.
Horse lovers are just as quick to praise the breed’s unique intelligence and desire to please. Meet a Morgan and you just might get your pockets frisked!
Another Justin’s Morgan
These characteristics are central to the relationship between 13-year-old rider Justin Mahoney and the gifted Morgan gelding Dragonsmeade Onegin GCH. In 2024, Justin won world and regional titles in the challenging sport of saddle seat equitation after only 18 months of riding. Making their story unique, however, is the fact Justin was born Deaf. His personal connection with Onegin is central to his achievements.
“[Onegin is] incredibly sweet and kind,” Justin says, signing while his mother interprets. “We feel very bonded. Our energy is similar—we both like to go fast. He’s also a joker, kind of teases me in the stall. We hang out and honestly, he’s a perfect fit to who I am as a person.”
Starting in the Saddle
Justin’s horse adventure started in April of 2023. He was visiting Katie Mair’s Sterling Training Center in Michigan, where his mother Donna and sister Halee had ridden years earlier.
“After I rode once, I just couldn’t stop riding,” Justin enthuses.
When he started lessons, the team decided Justin’s dog’s name, Bo (one of the spoken words in Justin’s vocabulary), could make a suitable stand in for the word “whoa.” Donna says he learned to “cluck and kiss for trot and canter,” but all other communication with his horse is through precise leg aids, balance, and his hands.
Justin’s team sees his hands as an advantage for their young rider.
“They are actually a gain for him, because he’s sensitive with his hands; it’s how he communicates,” his mom says. “He’s aware of his hands more than a hearing person might be.”
Justin, his family, and his coach agree that the limitations of being Deaf can lead to other senses being heightened. For instance, his instructor, Katie, is struck by Justin’s acute memory skills. If they fix a mistake, adjust a leg position, or master the feeling of a cue, coach and rider rarely need to address it again.
“I don’t have the luxury to fix things in the [show] ring,” says Justin. “It’s fast-paced, and all the other riders are getting verbal instruction all the way around the arena. If I make a mistake in the class, we can’t talk about it until after the show. Then I never forget—it’s so memorable after the fact.”
Doing Things Differently
“He’s been Deaf since birth,” his mother says. “For him, it’s not a challenge, it’s not a handicap—he just does things differently. He communicates differently.”
“Sound doesn’t bother me, so I can focus,” Justin explains.
In 2024, Justin and Onegin won the American Morgan Horse Association Saddle Seat Equitation Silver Medal at the prestigious New England Morgan Regional Horse Show. A few months later, the team emerged as champions in the United Professional Horseman’s Association Junior Challenge Cup at Morgan Grand National in Oklahoma City, finishing the event as the Saddle Seat Equitation 13 & Under Reserve World Champions.
These would be significant achievements for any young rider, especially for one riding only a year a half, but Justin has also been tackling the communication challenges of being Deaf.
Unique Qualities of the Morgan Breed
Katie, a veteran horse trainer, is impressed with Onegin’s intuitional skills.
“Donna and I look at each other and wonder if what we are doing will work,” she says. “Then, by the next lesson, Onegin and Justin have just figured it out. Onegin loves him.”
Justin’s mom agrees.
“To me, there is no better horse than a Morgan, and Onegin is a classic example,” Donna adds. “He wants to spend time with you. He’s a huge pet in the stall, but when Justin rides him, he’s this royal-looking performance horse. Those are the unique qualities of a Morgan.”
Learn about the Morgan horse through the official breed association at morganhorse.com.
This breed spotlight about the Morgan appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
