Horse Maintenance and Stabling
Horses were an asset to the London omnibus companies. Find out how they were looked after and cared for
London General Omnibus Company Capacities of Stables (1900-12-31)TfL Corporate Archives
Horses were a financial asset
In the late 1860’s, the price of a horse could vary between around £26 to £60, that’s £3,000 to £6,000 in 2023 money. The London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) logged horse purchases in a register
London General Omnibus Company Ltd: Horse Book (1875-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
The Horse Book
Register relating to the purchase and sale of horses including type of horse, purchased from, date purchased, name of the horse, and price
The company also recorded the sale of a horse which could be sold on cheaply. Horses were sold on if they were “worn out”, “lame” or subject to illness like colic also known as “gripes”
London General Omnibus Company Ltd: Horse Book (1876-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Each horse had a unique name
"Victoria", "Smiler", "Nimrod", "King Tom", "Walter", "Respect", "Pero", "Harvey", "Hercules", "Champagne", "Breadalbane" are some of the names listed in LGOC's Horse Book from 1876
They were all well looked after with dedicated employees and veterinary staff keeping them, washed, groomed, fed, and shoed
Horse washers (1901-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Horse washers at Hackney depot in 1901
Each horse had to be individually washed, brushed and groomed after a days work
Horses were fed oats and maize, the latter being cheaper, with a weight of 60lbs costing £1 11 shillings 6 pence, whilst 38lbs of oats cost £1 in 1865 (c.£103 in 2023)
Printed Extract from London General Omnibus Company Ltd Minutes Book (1865-12-14)TfL Corporate Archives
Maize for Horse Food
Inspired by several companies based outside London, the LGOC started to feed its horses maize
In 1910, the Managing Director of the Associated Omnibus Company noted in company minutes that “there is a marked improvement in the condition of our horses, which I attribute largely to the feeding partly on maize…”
Associated Omnibus Company Limited: Board Minute Book Managing Director's Report (1910-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Extract from minutes discussing the improved condition of horses due to the feeding of maize
Thomas Tilling Ltd: Register of Omnibus Horses (1903-02-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Thomas Tilling Ltd: Register of Omnibus Horses
When a horse became ill and couldn't work anymore, they were retired to the Knackers Yard
This register extract records the sale of horses to the Knacker's Yard, including their names, the date of sale, stable yard origin and cause of death
Deed relating to Queen's Arms Public House, Kilburn (1898-02-21)TfL Corporate Archives
Stabling at Queen's Arms Public House, Kilburn
When the horses weren't operating the buses, they were stabled at various locations across London. Some London businesses would lease stabling yards to the companies
Yard stables were leased to the London General Omnibus Company by Young's Brewery on the 21st February 1898
Deed relating to Queen's Arms Public House, Kilburn (1898-02-21)TfL Corporate Archives
Drawing of the Queen's Arms Yard Stables Premises
Leased to the LGOC to house their horses by Young's Brewery
Sometimes omnibus companies would enter into stabling negotiations with each other to provide additional resting places for the horses, thereby enabling them to put on extra omnibuses.
In 1910, the Managing Director of the Associated Omnibus company entered into an agreement with the LGOC to stable 90 horses at Britannia Street, King’s Cross, at a rental of £2 3s 6d per horse (c.£194 in 2023).
Associated Omnibus Company Limited: Board Minute Book Managing Director's Report (1910-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Stabling agreements between companies
Omnibus companies would enter into stabling agreements with each other to provide extra resting places for the horses, thereby enabling them to run extra omnibuses
This 1910 agreement details the LGOC stabling 90 horses of a rival company at the rate of £2 3s 6d per horse
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
