UVM Morgan Horse Farm Celebrates Vermont’s Favorite Equine
May 21, 2014
Scent can be such a powerful memory trigger. For me, the smell of hay instantly takes me back to childhood when I had a horse named Banjo.
While recently visiting the main barn at the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, a flood of memories came rushing back. I could see my 12-year-old self brushing Banjo’s mane, cleaning his stall, and tacking up for a ride on the old logging trails at the base of Equinox Mountain in southern Vermont.
I stopped riding a long time ago for a variety of reasons. But I still love being around horses, which is why I was eager to visit Vermont’s UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Located in a small community just outside of Middlebury, the farm is a National Historic Landmark located on 215 acres in Addison County. The farm’s main barn was built in 1878 for Colonel Joseph Battell’s prized Morgan horses.
-The farm has 60-80 registered stallions, mares, and foals.
The UVM Morgan Horse Farm’s Early Beginnings
Battell was a pioneering conservationist who began breeding Morgan horses in the late 1800s, and his interest would prove instrumental in saving America’s first breed of horse from extinction (the Morgan horse is Vermont’s State Animal).
In 1907, Battell gave his farm and Morgans to the U.S. Government. From 1907 to 1951, the U.S. Government operated the farm, focusing on breeding, training, selling, and exhibiting Morgans. The farm was eventually given to UVM, which has overseen it for more than 60 years.
The UVM Morgan Horse Farm is home to 60-80 registered stallions, mares, and adorable little foals. Open to the public, the farm is dedicated to perpetuating and improving the Morgan breed, and to providing educational training and experience for students and those interested in equine science.
My horse Banjo wasn’t a Morgan (he was a mix of Quarter Horse and Arabian), but my sister Jeanne used to have a Morgan named Peter, who was brilliant, full of personality, and very strong-willed.
Spending time riding Banjo on those old dirt logging roads has given me a lifelong appreciation for horses. It also created a lifetime of cherished childhood memories, and a love for the earthy, sweet smell of hay.
**If You Go: The UVM Morgan Horse Farm is located at 74 Battell Drive in Weybridge. The farm also hosts annual events and programs.
Scott
Posted at 16:55h, 21 MayIts said that scent creates the most powerful memories. Something about the nose being wired more efficiently somehow.
I’ve visited UVM when in Burlington, but never the Horse Farm. Will have to put it on the to-see list!
Great picture, BTW. Sounds like you had a pretty cool childhood!
Erica
Posted at 19:24h, 21 MayHi Scott — That makes sense. It really hits you when you smell something familiar from long ago. especially childhood. The Horse Farm is about an hour south of Burlington, right outside of Middlebury. It’s a lovely spot. Hope all is well!
Scott
Posted at 22:40h, 26 MayLOL, now I’ve had to go and read up on the science….Very interesting stuff, here’s a quick read on it that ‘splains it better than I. The sense of smell is wired to the same part of the brain that emotion is, where vision is hooked up to the logic part. (Or something like that, lol) So memories triggered by scent tend to be emotional and more powerful as a result than say something you’ve seen or heard.
http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/19/12817415-smells-like-nostalgia-why-do-scents-bring-back-memories
I get that with cut grass and some types of leather. Reminds be of playing baseball as a kid. Good stuff!