American Morgan Horse Association facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | AMHA |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Morgan Horse Club |
| Formation | 1909 |
| Purpose | Register and promote Morgan horses |
| Headquarters | 4037 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 130, Lexington, Kentucky 40511 |
| Services | Breed registry |
| Publication | The Morgan Horse |
| Affiliations | USDF, USEF, WDAA, 50 recognized clubs, 20 youth clubs |
The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is a special group for the Morgan horse. It helps keep track of these horses and supports their owners and breeders. The AMHA was started in 1909.
Its main offices are at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The AMHA also publishes a magazine called The Morgan Horse. They even have a museum in Maine and offer lots of helpful information and learning programs.
Contents
History of the AMHA
The AMHA started as the Morgan Horse Club in 1909. It was founded at the Vermont State Fair. In 1971, the club changed its name to the American Morgan Horse Association.
In 1988, the AMHA built a special place in Shelburne, Vermont. This complex held the National Museum of the Morgan Horse (NMMH) and other AMHA offices.
In 2020, the AMHA moved its offices to the Kentucky Horse Park. Today, the AMHA has about 7,000 members. They also have records for 90,000 living Morgan horses.
What is a Horse Breed Registry?
A horse breed registry is like a family tree for horses. It keeps official records of a horse's parents and ancestors. This helps make sure the horses are purebred.
Registering Morgan Horses
The AMHA keeps the official records for Morgan horses. The first records were started by Joseph Battell in 1894. These early books are now part of the AMHA's official records.
In 1948, the AMHA decided to "close the stud book." This means only horses whose parents are already registered Morgan horses can be registered. This helps keep the Morgan breed unique.
The AMHA works with Morgan horse groups in Canada and Britain. Horses registered there can also be registered with the AMHA.
Rules for Registration
Only purebred Morgan horses can be registered with the AMHA. This means both parents must be registered Morgans. Horses that are only half Morgan cannot be registered.
The AMHA does not allow cloned horses to be registered. However, foals born through embryo transfer can be registered.
National Museum of the Morgan Horse
The National Museum of the Morgan Horse (NMMH) is in New Gloucester, Maine. It's a great place to learn about the history of the Morgan horse.
The museum has many exhibits. It also has a research library. You can see old photos, sculptures, and paintings of Morgan horses. The museum helps preserve the history of this special breed.
American Morgan Horse Institute
The American Morgan Horse Institute helps support education. It gives money for learning projects and scholarships. This institute also helps put on the Grand National Morgan Horse Show every year.
Morgan Horse Competitions
Morgan horses can compete in many exciting events. These events are approved by the United States Equestrian Federation. This group holds all the purebred Morgan horse shows in the U.S.
The AMHA also works with other horse groups. These include the American Horse Council and the United States Dressage Federation.
There are ten regional shows for Morgan horses each year. The biggest show is the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show. It happens every year in Oklahoma City.
See also
- Morgan horse
- Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show
