London’s history has largely been a ‘horse-drawn society’ and our reliance on them increased in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, reaching its high point in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. At its peak in the nineteenth century 300,000 horses kept London moving; from the morning dustman with their horse-drawn carts and 700 horse-drawn hearses within the city.

This collection aims to demonstrate the vast range of different roles horses took on to keep London moving. Horsepower was connected to virtually all businesses within London. This selection of images brings together examples of the various ways that horses were used. The images are mostly limited to the nineteenth century and twentieth century, although some drawings from the eighteenth century have also been included.

Until the twentieth century horses were the primary source of travel and transport, with the streets of London becoming increasingly congested with the high volumes of horses, carts and carriages. With the introduction of the omnibus in 1829, public transport dramatically increased, providing an affordable option to the hackney carriage and allowing people to commute from a distance. The role of the horse was at the forefront in any business that included travel or transport, from collecting fresh food at Billingsgate Fish Market to transporting letters with the Post Office. Additionally, the development of the police force, fire services and health services led to further reliance on the horse. Horse drawn ambulances and fire engines began to be introduced and the earliest mounted police force was established in 1805.

The twentieth century saw the gradual decline of horsepower, with horse traffic banned on many streets in London in the 1920s and 1930s, and the motor vehicle replacing horsepower especially following the Second World War. However, horses continue to work in London. The City of London police can still be seen patrolling the city regularly on horseback, and the Household Cavalry are still housed at Hyde Park and are a constant presence at Horse Guards.