Horses and children didn't always mix

Sending a child to run errands while controlling a large horse wouldn't have been an issue in earlier days in regional areas.

Many children under 10-years-old would ride to school on animals many times their size, having an ability to control them, a skill that the majority of our techno-minded children of today have never learnt.

Sadly, there were still fatal accidents when children and horses were mixed. Arnold Jensen of Maryvale was one such example. He was the 10-year-old son of Norman Jensen and his wife Karen (nee Larsen) when, with his younger sister, was returning from Claymore after selling eggs.

On the way home, they came across a young friend who joined them on their cart. The two young boys began to squabble over who should take charge of the reins. The horse became unsettled and in a sharp turn of the road, the vehicle hit a stump and capsized.

Arnold's sister jumped clear and their young friend rolled into a corner of the cart. Arnold, however, fell and broke his neck.

Newspapers of the day said the incident was a warning to parents who allowed their young children to drive horse-drawn vehicles.

The small marker in Busselton cemetery, WA, signifying the final resting place of Arnold Jensen of Maryvale. Photo Samantha Elley

The funeral was held in the Anglican portion of the Busselton cemetery, where Arnold was laid to rest.

References

• 'Sad Fatality near Nannup', Sunday Times, Sunday 21 Jun, 1925, Page 1

• 'Little boy killed', Group Settlement Chronicle and Margaret-Augusta Mail', Tuesday 23 June, 1925, Page 2

• 'Arnold Jensen', Births, Deaths, Marriages, WA, accessed 21st April, 2025, Online Index Search Tool