On the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate freedom, fireworks, and patriotism. For centuries, brave men and women have valiantly fought for the stars and stripes, but shouldn’t we honor the brave horses who have done the same?  

Horses have served our nation since long before the Constitution was signed, providing vital services such as transportation, communication, farm help, and, of course, companionship. In an age of instant communication, it may be hard to imagine a time when people relied purely on four-legged horsepower. In fact, where would America be today without the power of a horse?  
 
We all know the story of Paul Revere, who said the iconic words, “The British are coming,” to announce the arrival of British soldiers who were planning to seize supplies stockpiled in Concord, Mass. In reality, Revere more likely would have said “the Regulars are coming” since the residents of Concord would have referred to themselves as British. Thanks to the horse that made Revere’s famous Midnight Ride possible, there was a militia waiting for the British on the fateful morning of April 19, 1775. 
 

Besides serving as messenger carriers during the American Revolutionary War, horses were also used for transportation and as workhorses. While humans could do some heavy lifting, horses were relied upon to move weapons and supplies, pull cannons, wagons, and carts, haul baggage, and even wounded soldiers.  
 
On Christmas night in 1776, while George Washington led the Continental Army across the Delaware River, ferries were used to transport artillery and horses across the river. Equipped with ramps that made loading and unloading easier, one ferry could transport several horses, a wagon, and its passengers. According to firsthand accounts, six ferries were used to carry horses across the Delaware River, and it took a total of 23 ferry trips to move all the artillery, guns, horses, men, and carts across.  
 

The fastest horses delivered messages and orders across the front lines of the war, enabling prompt communication between commanders and troops, while others were cavalry horses engaged in reconnaissance and liaison missions. Washington, who was dubbed “the best horseman of his age,” almost always rode his horse, Nelson, who is described as a 16hh light chestnut with a white face and white legs. After escorting Washington on the day the British army surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, Nelson happily lived out the rest of his days at Washington’s Mansion House Farm at Mount Vernon.  
 
Along with their physical roles, horses played a significant role in the mental health of soldiers, providing encouragement and companionship even in the darkest of times. As we know now, horses are incredibly sentient animals, allowing their presence around humans to be extremely comforting (or, in the case of enemy armies, extremely intimidating). 
 
Although horses played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War and in the advancement of America as a whole, they are largely unsung heroes who deserve to be commemorated. So, this Fourth of July, while you’re celebrating your independence, make sure to also celebrate the horses who made it all possible.