Lippitt Morgans hold value not only as a preservation population, but also as an important source of old Morgan blood, substance, temperament, usefulness, and traditional Morgan type within the broader Morgan breed.

​

Because of that, some Morgan breeders may consider breeding a non-Lippitt Morgan mare to a Lippitt stallion when they are looking for old blood, bone, type, or traditional Morgan qualities. When done thoughtfully, this kind of cross can allow Lippitt influence to contribute to the wider Morgan breed while still respecting the need to preserve the full Lippitt population.

​

Preservation Comes First

LLP’s first priority is the preservation of the full Lippitt Morgan.

​

For that reason, LLP does not promote or encourage breeding full Lippitt mares to non-Lippitt stallions.

This distinction matters. Lippitt mares are one of the most limited resources in the preservation population. A mare can only produce a small number of foals in her lifetime, and each breeding decision represents a significant opportunity. When a full Lippitt mare is bred to a non-Lippitt stallion, the resulting foal is not a full Lippitt, and that mare’s breeding opportunity is removed from the production of a full Lippitt foal for that year.

​

Lippitt stallions, on the other hand, may be able to contribute to both preservation and the wider Morgan breed without the same limitation. A stallion can potentially sire full Lippitt foals and, when appropriate, also contribute old Morgan influence through carefully chosen non-Lippitt Morgan mares.

​

Not Every Cross Is the Right Cross

​

This does not mean every Lippitt stallion should be used outside the Lippitt population, and it does not mean every cross is automatically a good cross.

​

The mare, the stallion, the breeder’s goals, the pedigree, the expected foal, and the long-term purpose of the breeding all matter.

​

A Lippitt stallion should not be chosen simply because he is Lippitt. He should be considered because he is a good individual, a good representative of old Morgan qualities, and a thoughtful match for the mare being bred.

​

Questions to Consider

​

When considering a non-Lippitt Morgan mare bred to a Lippitt stallion, useful questions include:

​

• What traits am I hoping to strengthen in the foal?

• Does this stallion have the bone, type, temperament, movement, and usability I want?

• How does the stallion complement the mare?

• What has the stallion produced, if he has foals on the ground?

• What do his close relatives look like and do?

• What is the expected inbreeding coefficient of the foal?

• How much Lippitt influence do I want in the resulting foal?

• What purpose do I hope this foal will serve in the broader Morgan breed?

 

Using COI as One Tool

 

The 10-generation coefficient of inbreeding can be a helpful tool, but it should not be the only tool.

A stallion with a higher COI may have more concentrated ancestry, but that does not automatically mean he will reproduce himself more strongly. A stallion with a lower COI may still be very consistent. The best guide is a combination of pedigree study, the stallion’s own quality, his close relatives, his offspring when available, and the specific mare being bred.

​

For a non-Lippitt Morgan mare, it can be helpful to look not only at the stallion’s COI, but also at the expected COI of the foal and the way the two pedigrees come together.

​

Old Morgan Influence Beyond the Lippitt Population

 

For breeders looking at old Morgan blood more broadly, Lippitt is one important preservation group. Lambert breeding is another old Morgan family worth learning about, although Lamberts do not currently have the same organized preservation structure that exists around the Lippitt Morgan.

 

The goal is not simply to use old blood for the sake of old blood. The goal is to make thoughtful breeding decisions that preserve usefulness, soundness, type, temperament, and long-term genetic value.

 

When used with care, Lippitt stallions can offer meaningful value to the larger Morgan breed while the full Lippitt population remains protected as the preservation priority.

​