Notable Horses

It is difficult to imagine that just one hundred years ago horses were still the primary means of transportation. For some presidents, horses were not just a necessity but also a part of their image. Before photographs, the military presidents, especially, were often portrayed in paintings on horseback. Horses that belonged to the presidents often achieved fame in their own right. The public was interested in knowing what horses and what style of carriage the president had. Zachary Taylor’s horse from the Mexican War, Old Whitey, accompanied him to Washington and enjoyed a pampered retirement on the White House grounds. Ulysses S. Grant, well known for his interest in horses, visited the White House stables daily. Some of the earlier presidents were interested in horses for sport. George Washington, an avid foxhunter and a founding member of the Alexandria Jockey Club, was admired for his horsemanship. Later presidents were more interested in pleasure riding. Theodore Roosevelt and his family frequently went out riding together. While John Kennedy was in office, a temporary stable was erected on the South Lawn for Macaroni, a pony given to his children by Lyndon Johnson. Most recently, Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan enjoyed horseback riding at their ranch in California.