Horses are among the most versatile maritime pets, providing hauling, towing and transport on natural and man-made waterways. Their ability to swim provided stream and river-fording transportation for explorers, soldiers and traders.  

Regardless of their intended mission, those needed for distant wars, exploration and other purposes were transported to their intended destinations on vessels of various sizes.  Loading and unloading the horses was a complicated and sometimes dangerous task, but housing them either on deck or below also created challenges to their health and safety as well as that of their caretakers.

They were crucial to the operation of canal systems, towing boats along the water’s edge.  This practice is still in evidence today, mostly for tourism in the U.S. and Europe.  Horses and other pack animals such as mules and donkeys also helped build lighthouses, launch and return lifeboats and provide treadmill power for paddle wheelers and steamboats, creating propulsion (horsepower).  These animals were also used to haul trade goods to and from anchored boats.