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Notable Horses

Gallery

  • Theodore Roosevelt on Horseback

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    This photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt on Bleistein was one of a series of twelve taken in 1902 as he took the horse over a variety of jumps. Roosevelt declared that the photograph was "the best picture I ever had taken or expect to have taken," and he gave copies to members of his cabinet.

    Library of Congress
  • General Zachary Taylor at the Battle of Buena Vista

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    President Zachary Taylor, a general known as Old Rough and Ready " during the Mexican American War, appears on his war horse Old Whiter in this Currier and Ives print. The scene depicted is the battle of Buena Vista in 1847.

    N. Currier (Firm)
  • Archie Roosevelt on Algonquin in Front of the New West Wing

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    Archie Roosevelt on his pony Algonquin, one of many pets owned by the lively Roosevelt children. In his most famous adventure. Algonquin was taken on the elevator up to the second floor of the White House to visit Archie when he was confined to his room with the measles. This photograph was taken outside of the new West Wing in 1903.

    Library of Congress
  • Andrew Jackson's Horse - Bolivia

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    Andrew Jackson raced horses for most of his adult life. While he was in the White House he often entered his horses in races under the name of his nephew and private secretary Andrew Jackson Donelson, to avoid negative public opinion about the sport. Bolivia, depicted here in a. painting by Edward Troye, was one of Jackson s most successful racers. Oil on canvas, 1836.

    Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
  • Cold Harbor, Virginia. U.S. Grant's horses

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    Left to right: This stereograph of Ulysses S Grant’s horses was taken at Cold Harbor. Virginia, on June 14, 1864. From left, the horses were Egypt, named for the district in Illinois where he was bred, Cincinnati, and Jeff Davis, captured from the plantation of the brother of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

    Library of Congress
  • William Howard Taft Horse - Surette

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    William Howard Taft's riding horse Sterrett stands outside the White House stables with a groom in 1909. The six-year-old horse was described as a golden sorrel and stood over sixteen hands high.

    Library of Congress
  • John Kennedy, Caroline, and John Jr. with Macaroni outside the Oval Office, 1962.

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    President John F. Kennedy standing outside the Oval Office in June 1962 with his children Caroline and John Jr. and their pony, Macaroni.

    John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • President Reagan Feeds Horse

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    President Ronald Reagan feeding his white Arabian El Alamein at his California ranch Rancho Del C'ielo in 1986.

    Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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.

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