On the History of Horses in Flatbush

“Horses stood under the trees along the fences, switching away the flies, now stooping to eat, now raising their heads and pointing forward their ears….” — Gertrude Lefferts Vanderbilt describing Flatbush horses in 1899

As important as they were to early rural society, it’s no surprise Flatbush was full of horses for centuries. Kings County was also an epicenter of horse racing, and noted race horses were bred in Flatbush by the Vanderveer family. According to William R. Vanderveer in his 1940s essay “Noted Horses of Flatbush” (yesss), the Vanderveers had a private training track along Flatbush Ave at Clarendon Rd. for their horses. As far back as 1788, the family had imported a celebrated English racing horse known as Grey Messenger, bred him, and sold the colts for generations. Wealthy people from around New York came to Flatbush to buy them, including an Astor.

Horses were also the main source of public transportation in and out of Flatbush, first pulling stagecoaches and then entire streetcars, the precursor to the trolley. It was a tough life for these literal workhorses — if they hurt themselves in the streets of Brooklyn the problem would usually be solved by shooting them on the spot and hooking up another horse. Once cars hit the scene, horses were often still used by merchants and laborers, sharing the road with “horseless carriages” for decades. (I mean, just imagine if your current car could give birth to a new car?? You might take forever to switch over too.)

These days, the only horses you’ll see in Flatbush are entering the park from the Kensington Stables or at the occasional street fair. And that’s probably a good thing.

Horses on the Vanderveer farm in 1888. The Vanderveers were known for breeding high-quality race horses. (Photo: Old NYC Photos)

This garage sale sign has as its base an old hitching post. This relic is located on the corner of Ave H and E. 18th in Fiske Terrace, and would have been used for tying up horses near the corner.

Horses were the main source of transportation for both goods and people before automobiles were invented. Here, a horse pulls a Flatbush Parlor Bakery truck sometime around 1875, at the intersection of Caton and Ocean Aves. (Photo: Adrian Vanderveer Martense via the Brooklyn Historical Society)

Horses had the tough job of pulling trolleys across metal tracks that were embedded in the road. (Photo: Old NY Photos)

Even when lots of people had personal cars, horses were often used for labor and deliveries. Here, a horse helps some landscapers on Albemarle Rd (photo via Flatbush Gardener).

Modern day horses in Flatbush: Kids enjoying pony rides at the 2019 Flatbush Frolic street fair.

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