The gentle and faithful school pony was both companion and guide to countless thousands of children, and school horses made a real, though frequently unrecognized, contribution to the development and progess of education in rural Canada from the 1880s right up to the 1960s. For those who remember Old Fred, Bingo, Buster, Major, and Bessie, and for those who have heard tell of them, leafing through this wonderful collection of personal reminiscences and cherished photographs is akin to the delight of discovering an old family diary and photo album in the attic.
When the School Horse Was King is a long-overdue tribute to these much-beloved animals and their invaluable role in the education and experience of rural children.