Horse-drawn steam fire engines first appeared in the United States in the early 1850's. These steamers pumped 500 to 1,000 gallons of water per minute and could weigh as much as ten tons, using three horses to pull them. Their arrival coincided with the beginning of the first paid fire departments. At first, fire departments rented horses from livery stables or used whatever horses were available when a fire broke out, but large communities eventually recognized the advantage of keeping their own well-trained teams ready at all times. The era of bright steam engines pulled by spirited horses followed. Fire horses were carefully chosen, matched in size and color so they could pull evenly and present an attractive appearance, and selected for calm temperament because there was no place in the service for an easily frightened horse. They were carefully trained and became as dedicated to their work as human firefighters. Retired fire horses were often sold as wagon horses, and some would still dash off after a steamer heading to a fire.