Old Bob

When the Lincolns lived at Soldiers' Home, President Lincoln would often travel to the White House for meetings and other engagements. Washington, DC was still a young city at that time and the president would travel by horseback on his trusty horse, Old Bob. During Lincoln's state funeral in Illinois in 1865, Old Bob followed his casket as the riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen warrior who will never ride again.

It's sweet that they included Old Bob in this bronze statue of Lincoln at Soldiers' Home. Relationships between riders and their horses can be special, unique friendships. I'm sure on their solitary rides to and from Soldiers' Home, Old Bob helped carry the burden of worry, war and sadness that weighed down on Lincoln's shoulders.