Claire L. answered 05/05/19
M.A. in International Studies; Research Analyst for NCSL
The USPS actually still uses horses for some of its routes, particularly those in very rural places, like the bottom of the Grand Canyon. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/special-delivery-mail-by-mule/ However, after instituting Rural Free Delivery in 1890 and implementing in nationwide in 1902, horses were phased out in the 1910-1920 time period, with the USPS operating the largest civilian automobile fleet in the world. https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/27609/when-did-the-u-s-postal-service-completely-transition-from-horse-drawn-to-motor