In 2017, we celebrated Canada’s 150th anniversary with stories of 20 exceptional horses that have reflected our values and fired our national pride. One of those horses was Big Ben.

In the late 19th century, a remarkable Orlov Trotter named Clever Hans captivated the equine world with his alleged ability to perform complex intellectual tasks. Owned and trained by Wilhelm von Osten—a German mathematics teacher and part-time horse trainer—Hans was said to demonstrate extraordinary cognitive skills uncommon in horses. According to von Osten, the horse could add, subtract, multiply, divide, solve fractions, tell time, read words and numbers, spell, and even comprehend spoken and written German. When prompted with questions, Hans responded by tapping his hoof to indicate his answers.

Horses have played a crucial role in shaping human history, from their use in agriculture and transportation to their significance in warfare, sport, and culture. Across the world, museums dedicated to these majestic animals showcase not only their historical importance but also the people who have worked alongside them, fostering deep and enduring bonds.

In October 1873, after Canada’s Prime Minister John A. Macdonald approved the formation of a North West Mounted Police (NWMP) force, adverts like this one in the Halifax Chronicle appeared in newspapers across what is now Eastern Canada. They encouraged recruits to sign on to what Tony Rees writes would become “one of the greatest chapters in Canada’s national mythology; as rich in absurdity as glory, every bit as foolhardy and reckless as it was colourful and proud.”