Lord Nelson's Biography

My name is Lord Nelson. I’m an American Quarter Horse who came to Rutgers University in 1978 at age five. My first job was to carry university police and later, student safety volunteers, on mounted patrol. I also carried the Scarlet Knight mascot at Rutgers football games.

One day I became famous when I got excited, stepped onto the field and became the only horse in history to receive a penalty in a football game!

And I’m curious and mischievous! I love to be outside, so don’t ever leave my stall door open. I love all kinds of food – just about nothing at a picnic is safe. But I won’t eat a fresh peach. I’m smart enough to know that peach pits can be poisonous to horses. I also don’t like cheese puffs. That cheetah on the bag scares me to death!

After 22 years on mounted patrol, I’ve seen just about everything there is to know about equine science, from exercise, to diet, to getting old, to what makes a good horse farm. I’m proud to be back, working for the Rutgers Equine Science Center and telling everyone what I know.