Horsemanship of Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) was a commanding general during the Civil War and a two-term U.S. president. Born in Ohio near the Ohio River, Grant grew up around horses, possessing a natural affinity which allowed him to ride, train, and manage horses from an early age. His father Jesse R. Grant placed much confidence in his ability and gave him tasks involving horses that were considered difficult, especially at youth. At age five he was noted for doing difficult stunts bareback and soon after was also performing chores, hauling timber, and driving teams of horses for long distances by himself. From boyhood through his military career, Grant had a well established reputation for training and managing horses. As a youth, neighbors would have him train hard-to-manage horses. As a cadet he set a high-jump record at West Point that stood for 25 years.

Horses played an important role throughout Grant's military career, carrying him with dispatches, inspecting and encouraging troops, and taking him into battle, sometimes having his horse shot from underneath him. During his lifetime he mostly owned and rode large and powerful horses. Noted for his love of and ability to ride and manage horses, Grant was occasionally gifted some of the best horses available from friends and his admirers.