About MHR | Moriesian Horse Registry

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The purpose of the Moriesian Horse Registry

The objective of the Moriesian Horse Registry is to preserve, promote, and support the Moriesian horse breed while fostering a strong community of enthusiasts.

Breed Preservation: The registry preserves and promotes the Moriesian horse breed by maintaining standards and genetic diversity.
Quality Assurance: It verifies pedigrees and characteristics to ensure registered horses meet breed standards.
Recognition and Promotion: The registry raises awareness of the Moriesian breed through participation in events and promotional activities.
Support for Breeders and Owners: It offers resources and services to assist breeders and owners in responsibly caring for Moriesian horses.
Community Building: The registry fosters a sense of community among Moriesian enthusiasts, facilitating knowledge sharing and camaraderie.

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The Friesian Horse

The Friesian horse reportedly dates back 3000 years though the horse we know today was developed in the twelfth century in northern Europe. Friesians were ridden by the Teutonic Knights and used as war horses for the crusades. They could carry large loads, exist on meager rations, and were agile enough to be effective in battle.

The Friesian is a heavy bodied, black, up-headed horse with an expressive face, high-set neck and outstanding crest. Their manes and tails are luxuriant and long and they have feathering from the knees down. They are intelligent, sweet natured and willing. Their powerful elastic gait, grace and agility make them excellent at dressage, driving and jousting.

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The Morgan Horse

Morgans originated with Justin Morgan, a dark bay stallion born around 1789 in Springfield Massachusetts. He is thought to have been of Thoroughbred extraction but speculation includes possible Arabian and Friesian heritage. Justin Morgan was known for his strength, speed and stamina. The breed grew and spread quickly as thrifty New Englanders recognized these qualities stamped into the offspring

The Morgan is easily recognized having an attractive head set on a muscular crested neck. They have strong shoulders, short strong legs and are both flexible and maneuverable. Morgans are known for their versatility: they excel in park and pleasure riding or driving, dressage, jumping, trail, western, and cutting. Their stamina makes them excellent endurance horses.

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The Moriesan Horse

The Moriesian Horse is the result of a breeding program initiated in the United States during the mid-1900’s to produce horses that combine the elegance and charisma of the Friesian with the versatility of the Morgan. They display an up-headed stature, expressive face, compact body and long thick mane and tail. Their slope of shoulder and movement tends to be more Friesian-like which gives them a regal appearance. Their average size of 15.0 to 16.0 hands makes them comfortable for most riders.

Lighter boned than a Friesian, Moriesians have more of the qualities sought after in a sport horse. The balance and symmetry of this animal is truly art in motion. They make natural show animals that are magnificent to watch, ride and drive. Many have shown themselves to excel in combined driving competitions and have proven apt competitors in classical dressage.

Moriesians are adaptable and eager to perform. Coming from two breeds known for their heart, mild manners, and friendly dispositions Moriesians make wonderful family horses. The breed is honest and willing to please. Its versatility brings lasting value to the owner.

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The Moriesian Standards

Head And Neck

The head should show a balance of Friesian nobility and Morgan refinement; the eyes expressive and soft, the face straight or slightly dished and short. The ears should be small and upright with turned in tips.

The neck should rise from a high set on the withers and show a clean arch to an upright head set. The throatlatch should be refined to allow flexion. The appearance is regal. The withers should be defined yet blend into both neck and back cleanly.

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Shoulders and Back

The powerful shoulders should be a blend of depth of the Morgan with sloping angle of the Friesian. Movement to be free, forward and with suspension. The back should be strong, well-muscled, short to medium in length, and the barrel round and deep. A long or weak back is a fault. It should blend into broad loins and a well-muscled and round croup. The croup should not be higher than the withers.

Legs and Feet

The legs should be straight, lighter boned than a Friesian but more substantial than a Morgan with well-defined joints. The front legs should have forearms longer than the cannon bones and the rear legs have well-muscled gaskins and cannon bones that are perpendicular to the ground. Legs may or may not be feathered. The feet should be size proportionate to leg bone mass, well formed, hard and strong.

Height, Color and Temperament

The height of the Moriesian should fall between 15.1 and 16.1 hands though variations are acceptable. Any color is accepted though most common are black, bay, and chestnut. The horse's temperament should be kind, alert, and willing. Both heritages provide the Moriesian a combination of stamina and versatility with calmness and loyalty.

Movement

The walk should have a distinct four-beat cadence and good length of stride. The trot should have a two-beat cadence, be balanced, animated, and show forward reach and engagement behind. The canter should have a three-beat cadence, be well balanced and powerful with drive from behind.

our crew

meet the MHR Registrar and registered Stallions 2000 to Present

Barbara Collins

From a Morgan background, growing up in New England riding and competing with Morgans, Barb has bred Moriesians for 25 years. She started crossing Morgan with Friesian in the late 1990’s to create a sport horse with bigger bone than a Morgan, yet with complimentary conformation, and versatility. She was especially drawn to their equally sensible and willing personalities.

Having always registered her Morgans, and wanting to do likewise for the cross breed, she started looking for a registry. The only one in existence was owned by Betty Pace, of Dark Knight Friesians, in Ogden Utah. It had been established in 1996 as ‘The Morisian Horse Registry’ and so far, only Betty’s horses had been registered.

In 1997 Barb took over the MHR registry, changed the name to ‘Moriesian’, which has become the defining name of the breed, created the Rules and Bylaws, and initiated the DNA testing requirements.

There are several large Friesian cross registries in which many Moriesians are registered. The MHR remains small, the owners dedicated and enthusiastic promotors of the breed. The most common remark heard at an event by bystanders seeing a Moriesian is “I want one!” It is the love for this breed that shines through and gives joy.