Nelson (horse)

[2] Washington was known for being a skilled horse rider, as one of his friends the Marquis de Chastellux observed, remarking that Washington “is a very excellent and bold horseman, leaping the highest fences, and going extremely quick, without standing upon his stirrups, bearing on the bridle, or letting his horse run wild.” [3] Nelson was a significant icon for a number of years, being one of Washington's favorite horses and was described by many as a "splendid charger".

This is due to the fact that Nelson was not as easily provoked by the sudden, loud noises often experienced during battle such as gunfire compared to Washington's other horse, Blueskin, who was much more skittish.

[2] For this reason, Washington rode Nelson into a majority of Revolutionary War battles and events, including Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown.

[6] After the war, Washington retired Nelson and Blueskin to Mount Vernon where the two horses lived a life of ease and comfort.

[2] However, unlike many other wealthy horse owners, Washington would regularly check on his horses and ensure they were being tended to properly [7] Washington would visit Nelson's paddock often, where it was reported that "the old war-horse would run, neighing, to the fence, proud to be caressed by the great master's hands.