Working Horses at the White House

The presidential horses earned their oats and were on call 24 hours a day. Years of pounding the asphalt streets of Washington would take a toll on the feet and legs of these horses and they required and were given the best of care. Messengers, secretaries, clerks and the housekeeper used the government horses for daily business and for hauling produce and goods. The U. S. government maintained the stable and paid the salaries of the staff, but it did not furnish horses or carriages for the president’s personal use.

The scene at the White House before 1909 saw the constant arrival or departure of horse-drawn delivery wagons, hacks, and the occasional turn out of a dignitary, diplomat or cabinet member. Many prints and photographs of the early White House depict wintry scenes of annual New Year's Day receptions, hosted by the president, the north driveway filled with the waiting horses and the guests.

Colonel William H. Crook on the President's Horses

"A great many people think," said Colonel [William H.] Crook [White House disbursing agent], "that the expense of keeping the president's horses are borne by the government. Such is not the case. The government keeps up the office stable, of course, but all those horses on the north side are the president's own property, and their keeping is paid for by him. There are practically two distinct stables. When Albert [Hawkins] needs feed he buys it from a private firm, while the feed for the government horses comes from the quartermaster's department." Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 5, 1884.