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BarbaraV340
We had an excellent tour, led by Heidi who was extremely knowledgeable and was able to pass on her knowledge in an interesting way. The horses were lovely and looked happy. It was good to see them working and to have the opportunity to pat them. We also enjoyed the well cared for grounds.
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kinx81
I know nothing about horses but enjoyed the tour. You could tell the young lady leading the tour was very knowledgeable and truly interested in working there. Impressive looking horses and very clean grounds.
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littlebranshill
I had to walk out. I own horses myself and have had 25 years experience with them and was looking forward to the visit. The stables are in a dreadful condition and we found one horse kept completely in the dark whilst its neighbour was a little better as it had a very dim light. The windows are too high for them to look out and the door is grilled and the bedding is sparce and dirty. I saw one young horse slapped across the chest for no apparent reason and then when he was long reigning the horse he whipped it twice very hard on its back legs sending it crazy - also for no apparent reason. That's when I left. There is no excuse for such treatment - no calm reassurance or kind words just physical abuse and shouting sending the poor horse into spinning craziness not knowing what it is supposed to do and very very agitated. The handler I believe was the current manager!! Outside the grounds are lovely and the place looks very manicured and well kept - such a pity that they don't spend some of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that they earn on bring the stables up to date and making them light and airy and following more natural horse training methods. I was disgusted!
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BeachGrandmax4
I found the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in some of my travel planning information. Since our granddaughter rides a Morgan horse during her riding lessons, I knew this was a must stop for us. We opted not to take the tour, but were able to see some of the horses in the stalls as well as a mama with her new foal out in the pasture. We bought some great gifts in the small gift shop and took lots of pictures of the beautiful barn and grounds. This is a beautiful farm and a good place to stop if you are in the area.
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hamishcw
Picturesque setting in rolling countryside. Collection of old stables, barns and paddocks with Morgan horses of all ages. Of real attraction to horse lovers and those interested in American cultural history. Easy access off highway and parking good.
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Jim1118
We had visited the farm many years ago but this visit was even better. The tour covered more of the farm with an improved introductory film. After the tour, we were allowed to wander around the whole facility. And, we even got to see a young Morgan being trained to high step pulling a cart and rider.
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Bend10Bend
Peek into horse history and understand the State's icon, the Morgan. Donated to the University of Vermont in the 50's a stunning mansion of a barn to house the best breed of American horse, the Morgan. Watch them exercise these forward moving horses, "Trot, trot", keep holding them back, trot. Go in spring to meet new fouls and see the big eyed beauties in a setting just as beautiful.
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imoxymoronic
If you remember reading Margurite Henery's book as a youngster, this is a must-see for you. Cost for a tour of the barns is $10. Our guide as well informed and passionate about Morgan horses and her job. There is a nice gift shop attached and the grounds are lovely.
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cherylb593
I went to the farm many years ago(1989) after having bought a Morgan horse. It was a pleasure to see this beautiful farm. Now many years later my daughter is an apprentice at the farm and I am so happy to have reconnected with this beautiful place. Everyone at the farm has a passion for the Morgan breed and the care and dedication they have for promoting and preserving this beautiful animal never fails to amaze me.
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TR26
I don't dislike them either, I have little feelings either way--though I dislike when horses are bred to the point of fragility, like thoroughbreds.So the Morgan Horse Farm was actually fairly pleasant. The Morgan is an American breed noted for its compact size and stamina and versatility. The UMV people have recently opened a small Morgan museum in the Middlebury city center which we visited yesterday, and I'd recommend going there first as it's a great orientation. Then again, you can get a great orientation at the farm.So we paid our $10 admission. The place was understaffed b/c most were away at a show. I wandered about, ad,admiring the stallions and mares in their stalls in the main barn and a mare and her foal in the big paddock. Then I sat about on their lawn, pausing briefly to admire the cemetary for past outstanding Morgans up on the hillock. My wife wandered more extensively through back barns and stables, and noted that she felt sorry for the horses--they get one year in a miserable foal paddock, then they're kept in stalls for all but 30 to 90 minutes 5-6 days a week so they won't get distracted and thus harder to train.My attitude toward animals is that we humans don't need to exploit them like we once did--but they're domesticated and so we need to care for them humanely. I don't consider these Morgans abused per se, tho' it would perhaps be nice if they were given more fresh air and a little sunshine. But I came away thinking that if I ever wanted a horse, I'd get a Morgan.