The Real Truth Behind Simón Bolívar's Horse: Was Palomo Actually White?
By Alexander Ross
Bolívar did not sweep across South America on a single miraculous mount. The brutal distances between Caracas, Bogotá, Quito, Lima, and Potosí, spanning over 12,000 miles across tropical rainforests and freezing mountain plateaus, exhausted entire cavalry regiments. Bolívar maintained a working string of horses, matching specific animals to the demands of local terrain.
| Mount Name | Physical Traits & Color | Documented Role | Myth vs. Reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palomo | Grey (tordillo), Colombian Criollo cross, ~14.2 hands | Boyacá, Carabobo, and entry into Lima (1819, 1824) | Folklore claims he was a giant pure white charger; military records show a compact, aging grey mount. |
| Pastor | Chestnut/Bay, Venezuelan Llanero breed, stocky build | Plains maneuvers in Apure and early Venezuelan campaigns | Ignored by neoclassical painters due to common coat color, despite logging thousands of miles. |
| El Muchacho | Sorrel, medium frame, local mountain stamina | High-altitude Andean transport across Southern New Granada | Favored by Bolívar for difficult climbs; left out of romantic national anthems. |
| Camp-Requisitioned Mounts | Mixed dun, bay, and roan mules and native horses | Daily marching across the Páramo de Pisba and Peruvian highlands | Over 60% died during alpine crossings; Bolívar rode pack mules during severe blizzards. |
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
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caballo de simon bolivar
