Adolphus

Lois Castellain was an illustrator and author. Her most memorable character, the Clydesdale Adolphus, was created when she was at school in Surrey. When World War II broke out, she did voluntary service, and Adolphus, adorned in gas mask and tin hat, appeared on the walls of her office. Adolphus, and his friend Dodie the Shetland, made regular appearances in Riding Magazine, first appearing in September 1939 in the Young Riders’ Section. They were heroes of a cartoon series that illustrated the points of the horse: these being easy to see on 25 year old Adolphus as he was so bony. Dodie, being better covered, was not such a useful example. The dustjacket of Adolphus the TV Horse mentions a TV series, but I have not yet been able to find any information on it.

Finding the books
Adolphus is difficult to find, and tends to be expensive when it does turn up. Adolphus the TV Horse is considerably easier to find. Adolphus, Arabella’s Carthorse, might well be a reprint of Adolphus, though as I have been unable to find a copy at all, I can’t confirm this. It is very hard to find indeed.

Sources and links
Dustjacket, Adolphus the TV Horse
Riding Magazine, September 1939 onwards