Rex (horse) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rex

Rex in poster for The Law of the Wild
Breed	Morgan
Sire	Pride of Mountain Vale 6986
Grandsire	Anchor 4596
Dam	Black Bess 0218
Maternal grandsire	The Admiral 4871
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1916 or 1917
Country	United States
Owner	Lee Doyle

Rex the Wonder Horse in a movie ad from 1926

Rex, also known as Rex the Wonder Horse and King of the Wild Horses, was a famous Morgan stallion. He was born in 1916 or 1917 and stood about 16 hands tall. Rex became a big star in movies and film serials during the 1920s and 1930s. He was known for his exciting performances and unique personality on screen.

Rex's Amazing Trainer

Rex's trainer was a man named Jack "Swede" Lindell. He discovered Rex at a boys' school in Golden, Colorado. Lindell noticed something special about Rex: the horse would try to bite a whip when it was cracked. Instead of stopping this behavior, Lindell encouraged it! This helped create dramatic scenes in Rex's movies. Lindell was very protective of Rex and never left him alone on set unless Rex was safely in his own trailer.

How Rex Acted in Movies

Rex was a natural actor. He learned to be comfortable around cameras and film crews. However, he could still show his wild side sometimes, which made for exciting movie moments!

In one silent film from 1927 called No Man's Law, Rex played a hero. He helped a young woman who was in trouble with some bad guys. Rex chased one villain, rearing up and bucking like a wild horse until the villain ran off a cliff. Then, Rex nudged the other villain over a ledge and into a watering hole. After that, he gently guided the young woman back to her father.

Sound films became popular, but they were no problem for Rex. He continued to star in many movies and serials.

A Wild Moment on Set

During the filming of The Law of the Wild, Rex caused quite a stir! He was supposed to charge the camera, with Lindell standing behind it. But Rex didn't stop when Lindell gave the signal. He reared up, knocking over equipment and making the cast and crew scatter. Rex even chased an actor named Ernie Adams, who tried to hide under a car. Rex dropped to his knees and tried to bite Adams under the car! Lindell finally got Rex to calm down by simply cracking his whip. Rex then walked calmly over to his trainer. This exciting event was so memorable that it was even recreated in a 1956 film called Stranger at my Door.

Spotting the Real Rex

In the 1936 serial Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island, Rex appears in some parts, but two other horses sometimes filled in for him. You can tell the real Rex apart by a small white mark on his forehead, just under his mane.

Rex's Movie Roles

Lobby card for The Devil Horse (1926)

See also

• Wonder Horses