Jefferson’s Horse Obsession | Richmond News

Richmond News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 7, 2026 · 1m

Thomas Jefferson didn’t just love horses—he treated them like doctors, riding two hours daily to clear his mind and find peace. In her new book, “The Horses of Monticello,” anthropology professor Carrie Bess Douglass reveals how these animals were vital to colonial Virginia life, powering farms, transport, and even races. Drawing from years of research at Monticello and her own lifelong passion for horses, Douglass uncovers a deeper, almost mythical bond Jefferson shared with equines—so profound, some called him a “centaur” in his youth. Her vision for the book, complete with over 260…