The Conestoga Horse: The first outstanding horse to be developed in America

Lancaster County had its own horse to pull the Conestoga Wagons—the aptly named Conestoga horse. The Conestoga was the first outstanding horse to be developed in America. The Pennsylvania Germans bred this remarkable horse with the same kind of ingenuity that they displayed in being the first to rotate crops. Their preeminence as farmers could not be challenged anywhere in the colonies.

Conestoga horses, in general, were usually a bay or black, rather long of leg, muscular but not chunky, with a fairly small head and arched crest. It was well-mannered, and it had enormous pulling strength. Its average height was 16.3 hands. Its average weight was 1,650 pounds.

The horse was the outcome of breeding Flemish or similar important draught horses, like the famous Suffolk Punch of England, with lighter-boned, higher-blooded stock identical with or similar to the thoroughbred of today.

The horses were carefully trained and made excellent teams for the rigorous work of heavy hauls over roads that were often rutted, stony, or full of deep mud.

It was said that a six-horse Conestoga team, decked in full regalia, bells chiming musically, necks in conscious pride, pulling gaily-painted Conestoga wagons, was a sight to brighten the eyes and quicken the pulse.

---

‘I Heard the Bells’ – Legacy of the Conestoga Wagon’s Ringing Bells

Embark on a journey through time as we unravel the intriguing origins of the expression “be there with bells on.” This whimsical phrase, symbolizing enthusiastic commitment to an event, finds its roots in the enchanting era of the Conestoga Wagon—a time when transportation was an art form, and bells were more than mere accessories. Join me in this nostalgic exploration of history as we peel back the layers of uncertainty surrounding the phrase’s genesis.

And, speaking of the “Ship of Inland Commerce,” I recently stumbled upon a set of authentic Conestoga wagon bells at Bootlet Antiques in Columbia, PA—a treasure that I couldn’t resist purchasing. My wife, of course, wasted no time decorating them for Christmas. Click the link to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of the Conestoga Wagon’s legacy and discover the surprising connections between language and history.

Resources

• A Brief History of Transportation in Lancaster County