Home / USA Horses / Morab Horse

By Smith Northam

Last updated: 21st July 2023

Morab Horse

By

Smith Northam
Last updated: 21st July 2023

The Morab Horse is a relatively new breed of American horses that developed from a cross between the Morgan Horse and the Arabian Horse. Its name is a portmanteau formed by combining the name of its parent breeds (Mor from ‘Morgan’ and ab from ‘Arabian’). Initially developed as a working horse, these animals, at present, are widely used as show horses and are even popular as family pets.

Morab Horse Pictures

Quick Information

Behavioral Characteristics Calm, lively, willing, adaptable, hardy, affectionate, intelligent, curious
Physical Traits Stout and muscular but sleek body with a straight to concave profile and a refined head, large and expressive eyes, a well-proportioned, heavy neck. The chest is deep and wide with a stout and short back. The legs are sturdy with large joints and broad, rounded and tough hooves
Coat Colors All solid colors including bay, gray, chestnut, dun, buckskin, palomino, and roan with the first three being most common;
Breed standards do not allow white spotting patterns
Height/Size 14.1 – 16 hands (adult)
Weight 1,075 pounds (average)
Common Uses Single Riding, Carriage Riding, Sports, Eventing, Endurance, Show
Health Problems Healthy
Type Working Horse, Riding Horse, Sports Horse, Show Horse, Carriage Horse, Family Pet Horse
Best For All levels of horse owners, riders, trainers
Ancestors (Bloodlines) Maremmano; Salernitano; Persano; Anglo Arabo Sardo; Purosangue Orientale; Arabian; Thoroughbred
Popular Traits Multi-talented, eager, excellent trots, easy trainability, sturdy
Blood Type Warm
Suitable for First Time Owners No (slightly experienced)
Feeding/Diet Hay and grains
Time of Origin Late 19th century
Country of Origin USA
Associations and Registries PMHA
IMBA
MHA

Video: Morab Horse Video

History and Development

The Morabs developed as a cross between the Morgan and the Arabian horses in the early 19th century in the USA. Interestingly, during this time, though they were accepted as a formal breed, the crossing between these two horses was already famous even the 1800s.

It was during the 1920s that a breeder and newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, developed the breed by selective breeding between a Morgan and a Crabbett Arabian with an aim to create a robust and sturdy working horse, especially for drawing carriages and light farm works for his ranch situated in California.

The result was as success. The mating gave birth to a stallion having an excellent trotting speed and a fine, golden color coat. It was Dorsey who first coined the term Morab.

However, it took almost five more decades as the first Morab registered in 1973. Presently, the Morab horses require documented Morgan and Arabian bloodlines, with no more than 75% from either breed.

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