Nelson or Old Nelson (1763–1790) was one of several horses owned by George Washington. He stood sixteen hands high and was a chestnut with a white blaze and white feet. The horse was acquired by Washington in 1779 at about the age of 15, and died in 1790 at about the age of 27, quite old for a horse in that era. Washington was known for being a skilled horse rider, as one of his friends the Marquis de Chastellux observed, remarking that Washington “is a very excellent and bold horseman, leaping the highest fences, and going extremely quick, without standing upon his stirrups, bearing on the bridle, or letting his horse run wild.” Nelson was a significant icon for a number of years, being one of Washington's favorite horses and was described by many as a "splendid charger".