Tarzan "The Wonder Horse" was a celebrated equine star of the silver screen, the big top, and the rodeo, captivating audiences with his exceptional abilities and charm.
Around 1925, Ken Maynard, a renowned cowboy actor, purchased Tarzan, a majestic half Arabian and half American Saddle horse, for a mere $50 in Newhall, California. This marked the beginning of a remarkable partnership between the two, with Tarzan becoming an integral part of Maynard's film career.
Maynard, impressed by the horse's intelligence, agility, and striking appearance, named him Tarzan, after the fictional hero of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels. However, this decision did not sit well with Burroughs, who subsequently sued Maynard. The dispute was eventually settled out of court, with Maynard agreeing to rebrand his prized stallion as Tarzan, The Wonder Horse.
For the next 15 years, Tarzan, The Wonder Horse, was prominently featured on posters, lobby cards, and in comic books, earning him a loyal following among buckaroos of all ages. He often stole the show, with more screen time than many of his co-stars in Maynard's Westerns. Tarzan's impressive acting skills, combined with his stunning appearance and remarkable intelligence, made him a true standout.
Ken Maynard and Tarzan developed a remarkable rapport, with the actor teaching the horse an array of tricks that have yet to be duplicated in the movies. Tarzan's film career began in earnest with the 1927 production of "Somewhere in Sonora" and continued until his passing in 1940, with his final role being in the 1938 film "Lighting Strikes the Range."
When Tarzan died, Ken Maynard was overcome with grief, and his career, already struggling, began to decline. The horse was laid to rest in a defunct stable in Hollywood Hills, but his legacy lives on, with his star forever shining bright in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
