Horses That Old Western Stars of B-Films and Their Sidekicks Rode
ROY ROGERS' HORSE, TRIGGER
Trigger first appeared in the film, The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1938 starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland under the name, Golden Cloud. He was Miss de Havilland's horse in the film. Roy Rogers bought the Palomino stallion and renamed him Trigger.
Trigger was never bred as many think. Therefore, Trigger, Jr. was not his descendant. Roy rode Trigger in many of his films and in his television series. He is the most famous horse in film history.
Trigger died in 1965.
BUCK JONES' HORSE, SILVER
Silver made 73 films from 1922 until 1942 and was Buck Jones' horse in approximately 50 of those films.
Buck died in a tragic fire along with 491 others in the 1942 Coconut Grove fire in Boston. A party was being hosted at the club for Jones.
ALLEN ROCKY LANE'S HORSE, BLACK JACK
Black Jack was originally called Thunder and was ridden by Will Bill Elliott when Elliott was making films as Red Ryder. Lane would take over the part played by Elliott with the same horse.
When Lane became Rocky Lane, he bought the horse and renamed him Black Jack. They appeared in almost 100 films together.
DALE EVANS' HORSE, BUTTERMILK
Buttermilk lived from 1941 until 1972. He was a buckskin quarter horse and appeared with Dale in many of her films and throughout her television series.
Many sites on the internet list Dale's horse as Buttercup. Buttercup is a flower that will kill a horse if eaten.
GENE AUTRY'S HORSE, CHAMPION
Champion appeared in over 70 films with Gene from 1935 until 1953 as well as Gene's television series.
Champion had his own television series following Gene's titled, The Adventures of Champion in 1955.
However, there were three Champions. The first died in 1947. The third lived to be 42 and died in 1991.
REX ALLEN'S HORSE, KOKO
Koko performed in over 30 films as Allen's horse and Rex took him with him to his ranch when he retired.
Koko lived from 1940-1967.
PANCHO'S HORSE, LOCO
Loco only appeared in just two films with Pancho in 1949 and 1950, but continued to be his horse in the television series, The Cisco Kid from 1950-1956.
LONE RANGER'S HORSE, SILVER
Silver was in the only two films as the Lone Ranger's horse that can still be found. More were filmed on the back lots of Republic Pictures, but are not available. Silver would continue to be the Ranger's horse in the television series of the same name.
LASH LaRUE'S HORSE, BLACK DIAMOND/RUSH
I can not find the dates of the horse's birth, or death. However, I can tell you that LaRue's horse was Black Diamond and at a later date the name was changed to Rush.
JOHNNY MACK BROWN'S HORSES, SCOUT/RENO & REBEL
Johnny started out on a white steed called Scout. Later, he changed to a Palomino first named Reno and then changed to Rebel.
SMILEY BURNETTE'S HORSE, RING EYE
Smiley made over 62 films with Gene Autry. He left Gene to make 56 films with the Durango Kid and came back for Autry's final six films. He also spent time with Roy Rogers and Sunset Carson. His horse through all this went through three name changes; Black-eyed Nellie, Ring-eyed Nellie and finally just Ring Eye.
TOM MIX'S HORSE, TONY
Tony made his debut with Tom Mix in 1917 and they would make 181 films together. Tony did his own tricks and was referred to as, The Wonder Horse.
Tony was the most famous horse in the world until Trigger came along. Tony was born in 1899 and died on October 12, 1942.
TEX RITTER'S HORSE, WHITE FLASH
White Flash appeared in 20 films with Tex. In Tex's later films, they used different white horses and still referred to them as White Flash, but the real White Flash was too old to play the part. He was put to sleep in 1961.
WILD BILL ELLIOTT'S HORSE, THUNDER
Will Bill played Red Ryder in the 40's with his black horse, Thunder. Later, Allan Lane would ride the same horse when he took over the role of Red Ryder. Later, when Allen became Rocky Lane, he changed the horse's name to Black Jack.
SUNSET CARSON' HORSE, CACTUS
Cactus was actually Buck Jones' horse, Silver. Jones died in a tragic fire and Carson decided to change the name from Silver to Cactus.
The two made dozens of films together in the 40's before Sunset was fired for showing up at the studio drunk with an under-aged girl. He would never gain back his popularity.
BOB STEELE'S HORSE, BROWNIE
Bob actually used dozens of horses of different colors. Brownie was just one of many. Others were Flambow, Boy, Shiek and Sacks. Brownie may have been his favorite. One can only guess.
DURANGO KID'S HORSE, RAIDER
When dressed in disguise as the Durango Kid, he rode a white horse named Raider. When out of disguise as Charles Starrett his brown horse was Bullet.
There were two horses playing Raider. One was the real Raider; the other was backup, El Granito.
Raider made 20 films from 1940 to 1952.
HOPALONG CASSIDY'S HORSE, TOPPER
Hoppy's original horse, King Nappy was injured in 1939 and replaced by his double, Topper. Topper would be with Cassidy throughout his film and television career until 1954.
WHIP WILSON'S HORSE, SILVER BULLET
Whip's horse, Silver Bullet was later shortened to Bullet and then changed to Rocket because Roy Rogers had a dog in his films named Bullet.
Whip and Bullet only lasted three years as a western film cowboy.
GABBY HAYES'S HORSES
Gabby didn't even learn to ride until age 40. In his films, he rode three horses including Calico pictured here, Eddie and Blossom.
Gabby Hayes was the most famous sidekick in western film history. Since he did not ride that much, his horses were never that famous.
ANDY DEVINE'S HORSE, JOKER
I never could find a photo of Andy on a horse in his western films and to tell you the truth, I don't remember ever seeing him on horseback in any of the films that I watched.
This is a picture of his horse, Joker in the television series, Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. This article is about horses ridden by stars and sidekicks in the old B westerns, but since Andy was a major part of that genre, I could not leave him out.
KEN MAYNARD'S HORSE, TARZAN
There were as many as 4 backups for the real Tarzan who was a trick horse and called Wonder Horse by Ken.
He worked with Ken during the 20's and 30's in films and into the 40's in a circus tour.
TIM HOLT'S HORSES
Tim rode Duke prior to his entering the military. When he returned to pictures, he rode Shiek, Lightning, Steel and Sundance.
The horses pictured here are Duke and below, Steel.
Questions & Answers
Question: What was Randolp Scott’s horse’s name and breed?
Answer: Stardust - Palomino
Question: What was James West's horse's name?
Answer: Shadow Trail
Question: Jock Mahoney played the Range Rider, what was his horse's name?
Answer: Dark Sorrel named Champion (Original) known as Wonder Horse of the West
Question: What color was Gene Autry's first horse?
Answer: Dark Sorrel with T-shaped white face.
Question: Was Dale Robertson's horse Jubilee a gelding?
Answer: No. A mare.
Comments
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 22, 2020:
Hi, Joy. Please give us that info. Thanks for stopping by.
Joy Hodges 6100 Oleander tr., Austin,to 78735I on February 21, 2020:
I know information on Lash LaRue horse Black Diamond and how he died .
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 14, 2020:
Interesting information.
Mike Newton on February 14, 2020:
Re: Jock Mahoney's horse...It was a buckskin...so he called it Buck. Annie Oakley's horse was Target...It was said that Andy Devine's horse Joker had a habit of backing away from Andy when he started to get mounted. That horse was a little sway back because of Andy's weight. Sunset Carson;s horse Silver was not Buck Jones' horse but the horse used in the Lone Ranger serials and in the Three Mesquiteers. In a later picture, Carson is given a horse by his father whom he calls "Cactus." It was this name that he used from then on.
westerfan on December 13, 2019:
more information on Sickle. Have seen him in TV series Sugarfoot ridden by star of show Will Hutchins. Also appeared on an episode of Laramie. Seen in a background of an old (but in color) western movie, may have been one of John Wayne's movies. Didn't catch the title. Sickle seemed to have a long career of TV & movies!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on August 26, 2019:
Thanks for helping out, Westerfan.
Westerfan on August 25, 2019:
Hi. have some possible answers for David and Janice. Re: brown horse with strange marking near eye: David thought it could have been O' Rouke's horse in F-Troop. You may be thinking of Sickle, a chestnut gelding ridden by Larry Storch in F-Troop, before that, in Maverick by Jack Kelly (as Bart Maverick). Sickle had a white stripe on his face, the top of the stripe curved into a crooked E shape between his eyes, hence the name Sickle. In the Maverick series, Bart wins a "thoroughbred racehorse" in a poker game. The horse's racing name was "Golden Girl", called Goldie by Bart. This is Sickle. Bart rides him/her almost exclusively for at least one season before giving Goldie to a girl stable hand in one of the episodes. Later, Sickle shows up as Larry Storch's horse in F-Troop. Larry rides him almost exclusively in all the later episodes of the show & poises with him in many publicity stills. You can Google image Larry Storch with horse or in F-Troop to find photos of Sickle. RE: Janice's question about Joe Cartwright's horse in Bonanza. At first Joe rode a black & white pinto names Cochise. Unfortunately, according to other TV horse stars websites, some one broke into the stables housing some TV & movie horses. Many of the horses, including Cochise, were attacked and or mutilated ( this is not really made very clear) and had to be put down. Another black & white pinto takes Cochise's place. Michael Landon may have had up to 3 different pinto's over the run of the series. If you look very closely at the markings of Joe's horse over the years, they change markedly! Hope this helps!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on July 09, 2019:
Hi David....This article covers horses of the Western stars of B Movies. I don't have an answer for your tv horse. Wish I could help.
David Richey on July 09, 2019:
From back in the 70's i recall a brown horse, white face and a brown spot by the horse's left eye. I saw this particular horse in so many tv shows it should have been named in the credits. Would you have any information? It may have been O'Rourke's horse in F Troop. Thank You.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on January 21, 2019:
Sorry, I don't have an answer for this one. Maybe someone out there can help?
Becky on January 12, 2019:
Sorry I didn’t give you more information,
The horse’s name was “California “ was from a western tv series. I think the co-cast character’s name was Costner the owner of the horse, he he had a large mustard, funny guy... the series was something like F/troop. Thank you.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on January 12, 2019:
Sorry, Becky. There was a California Chrome who won the Kentucky Derby, but not familiar with a jockey named Costner.
Becky on January 12, 2019:
Was their ever a horse called “California “ and the riders name was Costner?
Thank you.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on December 11, 2018:
Stardust, Susan. Thanks for stopping by.
Susan on December 11, 2018:
How could anyone forget the dark palomino Randolph Scott almost always rode. Does anybody know his name?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on August 20, 2018:
Mexican President Maximillion rode a white horse in the John Wayne film, The Alamo.
Trying to remember a movie with Maxmilion and a white horse in it. maybe 60's movie? on August 20, 2018:
Movie with MaxMilion and a white horse is all I can remember, trying to remember this movie maybe from 60's?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on August 03, 2018:
DW, Phoebe Ann Mosey, alias Annie Oakley, was not a Western Star of B Films. She worked for Buffalo Bill in a live western show on various horses. There are no references to her various horses that she rode in the arenas.
D Wogaman on August 02, 2018:
You do not have Tonto's horse Scout or what horse Annie Oakleys rode. Do you know?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on July 20, 2018:
Hi, ddrock
You are so right. Thanks for the heads up!
ddrock on July 20, 2018:
You forgot Tontos horse scout.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 19, 2018:
Dawn...you might have a treasure there in your hands. Take it to an expert pawn shop to get a value. They may have on call someone that is in the business of authentic photos.
Dawn 4M8wN5 on June 18, 2018:
I was going through some of my mother's old family photos and found a small old trunk that belonged to my grandfather. He carried it during WWll, among the love letters form my grandmother I found a lot of pictures. One of these pictures is a black and white photo of a cowboy on what appears to be a solid black horse. The horse has a beautiful saddle and head gear. On the back of the photo in my grandmother's handwriting is Lash Larue 1948 -1955, for his acting career I'm assuming. This is not a publicity photo it was in an envelope with a bunch of other b/w that they got developed. I send you a photo shot of it to confirm that it's him.
Discovery2020 on March 28, 2018:
Thanks, Con. Been busy writing novels.
Con griffin on March 21, 2018:
more of the same brilent
janice mallard on January 15, 2018:
what was Joe Cartwrights horse name
Jerry Noble on January 14, 2018:
The Lone Ranger had two white horses. The first silver was large, slow, and gentle. The second horse was smaller, faster, but harder to ride. It had a mole on his face. That is how I realized there were two. So I emailed the Lone Ranger Website and was informed I was right.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on August 03, 2017:
John Shultz, thank you for your comment. However, this Hub is about the stars of the B Western films. Randolph Scott and others mentioned above were A film actors. I agree with some of the people referring to Scott and Duke and Newman, etc.. They left out my favorite Western actor as did I....Joel McCrea who made films with Randolph Scott. But, like I said, those were A films and A actors. If Joel McCrea only made westerns that showed up at the Saturday morning theaters along with serials and yo-yo contests then he would have been the first one I mention.
johnmschultz2010@gmail.com on August 02, 2017:
WHERE is Randolph Scott's "main" horse??
Mr. Scott was a hell-a-va better "cowboy / westerner" than many of the "pretends" you featured here,
JMS
melvinmdo on July 04, 2017:
what about the Zorro ??
charles overton on May 30, 2017:
in watching tales of wells fargo, i've noticed Dale riding three different horses with a blaze face. Which one was Jubilee?
Pat osburn on May 21, 2017:
I do know that in the movie "the Shootist" John Wayne refers to his horse as "Ol' Dollar "
Frank on May 05, 2017:
But the riding horse style in western movies was not as modern western riding,true?,Could you give me some of information about it?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 01, 2017:
Well I can no longer find a place to reply at the bottom underneath last comment so will put it here. Question was about a horse named, 'Cyclone'. Don "Red" Barry rode Cyclone when he was the very first Red Ryder on tv. Thank you for your question.
Alan Purslow on January 10, 2017:
Cisco Kid house El diaplo
Tonto's horse was Scout
Jack Perrin horse was white and named Twilight
Nels on January 03, 2017:
Wasn't White Cloud the horse used by on of the Indian chiefs? Also who can forget Tonto's Scout?
Kir Rich on August 03, 2016:
HORSES, COWBOYS & RIDERS
“Horse Whisperer” (movie): High Tower, Pie and Rimrock
“Unforgiven”: Rocket
Alexander the Great: Bucephalus
Allen “Rocky” Lane (Voice of Mr. Ed [ Bamboo Harvester was registered name and was a 4-time winner of the Patsy Award aka: Animal Oscar] Was fed peanut butter to make his mouth move. Double was Pumpkin) : Black Jack was originally called Thunder and ridden by Wild Bill Elliott (as Red Ryder). Mesquite, Feather and Banner.
Andrew Jackson: Truxton
Andy “Jingles” Devine: Joker had a deep swayback.
Art Acord in the “White Horseman” : Raven
Audie Murphy: Rebel
Barbara Stanwyck as Victoria Barkley in Big Valley: Misty Girl
Ben Johnson: Bear. Country Gentleman (had a white face). Bingo (galloping stunt double), Steel, both in Wagon Master. Steel also ridden by John Wayne (Tall in the Saddle and The Conqueror), Gregory Peck (Yellow Sky) and Randolph Scott (The Tall T). Ben Johnson also on Steel winning World Champion Calf Roping Title at Pendleton, OR in 1949 in 12.5 sec. Ben Johnson as Sgt. Tyree in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon: Laddie played by Country Gentleman who also played Smoky in The Wild Stallion.
Bill Boyd (singer) Texas
Bill Cody: Chico, King
Bill Tumbleweed Baker: Apache
Bill Williams as Christopher Kit Carson in Adv. of Kit Carson: Apache, Buckskin
Billy the Kid: Kid Stewart Moore changed to Dandy Dick by Pat Garrett. Don
Billy Crystal: in City Slickers: Beechnut
Black Beauty Movies: Highland Dale 1946, later named Fury for the TV series. Was also in Giant, Wild is the wind, Bonanza, Lassie, My Friend Flicka and Rin Tin Tin. Docs Keepin Time, a Quarter Horse played Black Beauty in the 1994 version and also played a rearing horse in the Busch Beer commercials, in a rock video and was the star of the television series, “The Black Stallion”, “Gulliver” in the film, The Horse Whisperer.
Bob Baker: Apache
Bob Denver as Dusty in Dusty’s Trail: Freckles
Bob Steele: Brownie, Ginger, Rusty, Flambow, Boy, Sheik, Zane and Sacks
Bob Wills: Clover
Bobby Diamond as Joey Newton in “Fury”: Highland Dale
Brenden Frazier as Dudley DoRight: Horse (real name McFly) Brown Horse was Bullet
Broncho Billy Anderson: Ranger
Bruce Campbell as Brisco County Jr.: Comet (real name Copper)
Buck Benny: Cyclone
Buck Jones: Silver (Doubles were White Eagle and Sandy and two others who also played Silver)
Buddy Roosevelt: Pardner and Tommy
Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody): Isham was white horse ridden in the wild west shows. Charlie was his hunting horse who was buried in the Atlantic on the way back from Europe.
Burt Lancaster in the Scalphunters: Old Fooler who also appeared in the Rounders
Buster “Flash Gordon” Crabbe: Falcon
Cameron Mitchell as Buck Cannon in “High Chaparral”: Rebel (aka: Prince)
Cammie King in “Gone With the Wind” on pony: Mister Butler or Blackie??
Capt. Miles W. Keogh: Comanche (this horse was the only survivor of the Little Big Horn, aka: Tonka)
Charles Starrett as the Durango Kid: White Horse was Raider (Backup horse was El Granito). (Brown horse) Bullet.
Charlton Heston: Domino. As El Cid: Doit played Babieca. As Ben Hur: Altair, Rigel, Antares and Aldebaran.
Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain in the “Rifleman”: Razor
Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger: Silver Chief, (Originally called Dusty until Silver Cup Bread took over as sponsor, renamed Silver). Two horses played Silver--the Clayton Moore hand-picked Tennessee Walking Horse White Cloud and the Morab half-Arabian/half-Saddlebred stallion Tarzen’s White Banner, renamed Hi-Yo Silver by the show's owner George Trendle. In 1952 “Hi-Yo Silver” became Silver #2 taking the place of Silver #1 in the television series while John Hart briefly stepped into the role of The Lone Ranger. Silver #2 was trained by the famous trainer and handler, Glenn Randall who also trained Roy Roger’s Trigger. Silver #2 had an opposite temperament from the first Silver being a high strung stallion who was quite skittish of camera sounds. The following year, Clayton Moore returned to take his place as the Lone Ranger and continued to use Silver #2 but Silver #1 would often return to fill the role when scenes required a calm and obedient horse. One such scene in which Silver #1 received the Animal Award of Excellence required Silver to drag The Lone Ranger to water. Silver #1 was used for fear that Silver #2 might shy from the camera sounds and step on Clayton. But for all his skittishness, Silver #2 was the horse that Clayton always toured with and used for publicity events. Silver's TV show stunt double Traveler eventually had a stint as the University of Southern California Trojan horse. Silver was horse ridden by Thomas Mitchell in “Gone With the Wind”
Chuck Courtney as Dan Reid (Lone Ranger’s nephew) in The Lone Ranger: Victor
Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates in “Rawhide”: Midnight. In “Bronco Billy”: Buster
Clint Walker as Cheyenne Bodie in Cheyenne: Brandy
Dale Evans: A palomino called Pal in movies, but Buttermilk on TV
Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie in “Tales of Wells Fargo”: Fargo, Jubilee, Leo Jr., Hannibal
Dan Blocker as Hoss Cartwright in “Bonanza”: Chub, Ginger, Piute
Dan Reid: Victor
Daniel Reed in “Legend of the Lone Ranger: Tex
David Carradine in TV series “Shane”: Candy
Dick Foran: Smoke
Disney’s Spin & Marty: Skyrocket (Ma Rick)
Don “Red” Barry: Cyclone
Don Durant as Johnny Ringo: Bingo
Duke of Wellington: Copenhagen
Duncan Reynaldo as Cisco Kid: Diablo had two backups. (Reynaldo was born in Romania)
Eddie Dean: Flash, War Paint, White Cloud and Copper
Elizabeth Taylor in “National Velvet” (movie): Pie
Elvis: Rising Sun
Errol Flynn in Charge of the Light Brigade: Onyx. Twenty five horses were killed during the charge due to the trip wires. Flynn was outraged and notified the papers, but nothing was done.
Forrest Tucker as Mr. Callahan in Dusty’s Trails: Blarney
Fred Scott: White Dust
Fred Scott: White Flash
Fred Thomson: Silver King
Gail Davis as Annie Oakley: Target (Daisy was the double). Little bro Tagg: Amigo colt Pixie
Gary Cooper “The Westerner” Old Blue. Buck
Gen. Philip Sheridan: Rienzi and Winchester
Gene Autry: Champion, Champion Jr.and Little Champion (Gene has FIVE stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame) Champion’s hoof prints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Gene Barry as Bat Masterson: Stardust
George “Gabby” Hayes: Calico, Eddie and Blossom (Hayes learned to ride when he was 40!)
George Armstrong Custer: Vic (died at the Little Big Horn)
George Houston as the Lone Rider: Shamrock
George O’Brien: Mike
George Washington: Nelson
Glenn Ford: Jelly
Gregory Peck: “Big Country” Old Thunder. “Duel in the Sun” Dice
Guy Madison as Wild Bill Hickok: Buckshot
Guy Williams as TV Zorro: Tornado (black horse). Phantom (white horse, real name Dynamite). Daisey the mule was also a regular on the show.
Harry Carey Jr.: Billy
Harry Carey: Sunny
Harry Morgan as Col. Sherman Potter in “MASH”: Sophie
Henry Darrow as Manolito Montoya in “High Chaparral”: Diablo, Makado, Flax
Hoot Gibson: Mutt, Goldie (All Around Champion Cowboy Pendleton Rodeo 1912)
Hugh O’Brian as Wyatt Earp in “Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”: Candy
Jack (Addison) Randall: Rusty
Jack Holt: Robin Hood
Jack Hoxie: Scout, Fender, Dynamite
Jack Luden: Pal
Jack Nicholson in “Goin’ South” Old Speed
Jack Perrin: Starlight
Jack Randall (brother of Robert Livingston) Rusty
James Arness as Marshall Dillon in “Gunsmoke”: Buck (aka: Dunny Waggoner) (See Lorne Greene in “Bonanza” Horse sold to Greene
James Brolin “Bad Jim”: Bad Jim (Billy the Kid’s horse in movie)
James Garner as Bret Maverick: El Loaner. “Maverick” (1994 movie) had a horse named Ollie and a burro named Arthur.
James Sikking as Lt. Howard Hunter in “Hill Street Blues”: Apollo
James Stacy as Johnny Lancer in “Lancer”: Barranca
Jan Merlin as Lt. Cullen Kirby in “Rough Riders”: Joker
Jay Silverheels (Mohawk Indian) as Tonto in the “Lone Ranger”: Scout, White Feller and Paint. Scout could outrun Silver.
Jeanette Nolan as Dirty Sally Fergus in Dirty Sally: Worthless (mule)
Jesse James: Red Fox
Jim Bannon: Thunder
Jimmy Stewart: “The Six Shooter” Scar. Pie
Jimmy Wakely: Lucky (real name Tex) - Sonny, Sunset
Joel McCrea: Outlaw, Dollar
John Payne as Vint Bonne
Discovery2020 on July 27, 2016:
Don't recall that, pete
Discovery2020 on July 27, 2016:
Jimmy JN
I personally read a quote from Randolph Scott where he said that Stardust was his favorite horse. It was not second hand info. I read it myself. Sorry I don't remember when and where the article was.
pete on July 27, 2016:
was there a horse with guns on there bridel ?
Jan C on July 25, 2016:
aclakshmana3 years ago asked about a movie about a champion jumping horse called "Little Thief." Walt Disney produced a movie (filmed in Mexico with a mostly Mexican cast) called "The Littlest Outlaw" (1955). Pablito, a stable boy, steals "Conquistador," a jumping horse who is going to be killed because his owner's daughter fell while riding him. (The fall happened because the horse was abused by the trainer, Pablito's evil uncle). Pablito and the horse are helped by many people including a village priest. Eventually, in a dramatic scene where Pablito saves the horse by jumping him out of a bull ring, the truth is revealed. The owner and hisdaughter give Conquistador to Pablito.
Dot on July 24, 2016:
Grew up with westerns, still love them to this day. Loved all the horses some were great characters. My favourite being the Lone Ranger's horse Silver.
JimmyJN on July 12, 2016:
Thanks discovery2020. "Hey Jimmy, in Randolph's own words Stardust was his favorite horse" Where can I find that verification?
JimmJN on July 12, 2016:
Thanks discovery2020. "Hey Jimmy, in Randolph's own words Stardust was his favorite horse" Where can I find that verification?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 19, 2016:
Hey Jimmy, in Randolph's own words Stardust was his favorite horse.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 19, 2016:
Lynda, after extensive research it appears that the horse's name was the same as the title. I would assume they named him that in respect to his dynamic role in the film. No word on the trainer but would not be surprised if it were Audi since he would always use his own horses in his films. He mostly used Joe Queen.
JimmyJN on June 19, 2016:
I need help concerning Randolph Scott's favorite horse in his movies. I think it was Stardust but someone else is telling me it was a horse named Tony? I know Stardust was not his own horse but he rode Stardust in many of his movies. Can anyone confirm this for me? Thanks, Jim
Lynda on June 18, 2016:
Audie Murphy's horse in Tumbleweed was so much fun. I recently saw the movie again and was reminded what a good job that little horse did to make the movie work. Any information on him or who was the trainer?
The movie is great fun becuase of that little horse's interaction with Murphy. thank you
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on May 28, 2016:
I beg your pardon Robert........Tornado actually was in the Mark of Zorro. Sorry I left him out. Great looking horse!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on May 28, 2016:
This is a Hub about horses that belonged to FILM stars. You are referring to a tv series. Thanks for your interest.
Robert on May 28, 2016:
Why does nobody mention zoro and toronado?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on May 15, 2016:
That is Andy, Mike. I was saying in the above article that I never saw him on a horse in any of his FILMS which this article is about. The photo you are referring to is not from a film, but rather from a tv series, Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Thanks for the heads up however and thanks for reading my articles.
Mike on May 15, 2016:
The 4th picture from the end is Andy if not he sure looks like him?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on January 22, 2016:
Remember him and the jeep well. Thanks for the memory!
applejacket on January 22, 2016:
Loved this article on cowboy and sidekick horse's names so I thought i'd through in a teaser. Roy Rogers had a sidekick on tv named Pat Brady. Does anyone remember what he rode? It was a Jeep and was named Nelly Belle. How's that for trivia?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on October 13, 2015:
Hi BlackWolf.........the horse was an Andelusian which is a pure Spanish horse. Don't have a name for you.
Thanks for stopping by!
BlackWolf2121 on October 12, 2015:
This is for a different era. What about the horse Clint Eastwood rode in Pale Rider? Can only find pictures but nothing about he name or breed.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on September 17, 2015:
Wow! that is great trivia! Appreciate so much letting me know after all this time.
Nola Crenshaw on September 16, 2015:
Thanks, Leigh, but I don't get the connection between Silver and Vivien Leigh. Enlighten me.
"jen 2 years ago
Lone Rangers "Silver" was originally seen in the movie "Gone with the Wind" he was Scarlet O'Hara's, father's horse."
I provided that for you so you could see why she commented, and while the horse wasn't ridden by Vivien Leigh herself, well I can see where the correlation was made. This was so much fun to read thank you for your time and effort in putting it up for us to enjoy.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 09, 2015:
Yes, Ann..........Diablo was played by three different paint horses. One was for close up shots, another for stunt work and a third simply as a backup.
Thanks for stopping by......
Ann Engel on June 09, 2015:
I remember seeing Andy Devine as Hopalong Cassidy's sidekick in some of the earlier TV series and there were plenty of riding scenes. The COZI channel started running the series and movies last year so I've been able to catch up on a lot that I missed in my earlier years. The one that I would like to know about is the Cisco Kid series - Pancho rode Loco but Cisco's paint horses kept changing from scene to scene within each episode. I definitely saw three different ones but it might have been four as there were slight differences in the markings from one to the other. One of them even resembled a horse ridden by Chuck Connors in his Branded series but not 100% sure because of the wide time gap.
Bella herera on March 04, 2015:
I love all the western movies I whished I could see every singal character an picks one of their favirite horses to come to my town stockton
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 18, 2015:
Thanks for viewing and for the info provided.
Jeanne on February 18, 2015:
Randolph Scott rode a flashy sorrel with a white mane and tail. Such a beautiful site. The same horse appeared in almost all his movies
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on January 27, 2015:
Michele, I just ran across this accidentally. So sorry it took me 17 months to respond. If you still don't know, Randolph Scott's horse was Stardust. His horse died at 29 years of age in '73.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on January 27, 2015:
Hey, Lew
That is a great story! I just wish I had the answer, but I would assume like you do that he removed them to stay in character.
Lew Larsen on January 27, 2015:
I had a good friend who hitch-hiked to California in 1941. He took a landscaper helpers job and one day while working in the yard of a large residence, the owner exited the house and made small talk with the crew. MY friend didn't recognize the homeowner until one of his crew mates told him that it was Gabby Hayes. My friend said he didn't recognize him right off because the owner had teeth and he always thought that Gabby acted without teeth. I have always wondered if Gabby purposely removed his dentures in order to give more personality to the character he was portraying or whether his acting ust didn't show his teeth.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on September 21, 2014:
Sgt. Preston's horse, Rex was Richard Simmons's (actor portraying Sgt. Preston)personal horse.
Marylee on September 13, 2014:
I would love to know more about the TV horses such as Fury and Flicka, Sgt. Preston's horse, the only survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Comanche, also the white horse in the movie Snowfire. and of course the Black Stallion. Basically anything horses. I saw a Disney movie once called "The Calypso Pony" and another called "Chester: the story of a horse, " about a horse that was trained to pull in order to win a contest against a tractor. Would love to have these two movies in my collection, but can't find out anything about them.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on July 14, 2014:
Thanks, Leigh, but I don't get the connection between Silver and Vivien Leigh. Enlighten me.
Pamela Leigh on July 14, 2014:
My middle name, Leigh, is after GWTW star Vivien Leigh, therefore appreciate the info about Silver, above. LOVE this Hub & anything about horses (& dogs). PLEASE do one on horses
Of TV stars! Great work!Thanks!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on July 07, 2014:
Maybe I will do a Hub on horses of tv stars in the future. Thanks for sharing.
st.nightmad on July 07, 2014:
I would just LOVE to have more info/pics of "Stormy Night" the greatest appaloosa ridden in Wagon Train by Robert Horton as Flint McColough,
I just loved that horse!!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 22, 2014:
I have to add Joel McCrea to your list.
Fifties Kid on June 22, 2014:
Growing up in the fifties westerns were my first choice. My favourite cowboys were John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart & Randolph Scott. As their horses go Scott's horse stood out the most! And I agree that the other actors really weren't know for their horses. But I realised then and confirmed it later that Wayne always rode a very tall horse! Great hub!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on June 07, 2014:
Thanks for your comment, Elaine, but the title is "Horses of Famous Western Movie Stars".
Elaine Johnson on June 07, 2014:
What about the kids show Fury? I loved that horse that was part of my Saturday morning line up.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 23, 2014:
Great info, JT!
Jt parker on February 23, 2014:
There were actually two horses who played silver on the Lone Ranger series. I first noticed that in one show silver had a mole under one of his eyes. In another show he didn't. I wrote the Lone Ranger website and was told that when Clayton Moore came back after going on strike the owner of the original silver had removed him from the show. I also read where they used two white horses for several years. One of them was less friendly and did not take well to having a lot of commotion around him. Therefore in certain scenes they used the smaller mild tapered silver
Ronnie Owens on December 18, 2013:
This has been some good reading & remembering therphy for me. I knew most of everything said (not all) but good to be re-insured. Thanks Folks
WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on August 19, 2013:
"Yes, but I loved them as a kid, Will."
And so did I. In fact, I still do!
Randy Godwin from Southern Georgia on August 19, 2013:
Yes, but I loved them as a kid, Will. It's tough to grow up and realize everything is not so clear cut as it appeared in the old westerns. Not enough guys wearing white hats in the real world today. It is what it is....
WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on August 19, 2013:
You got it, Randy! It was Scout.
The Lone Ranger would say, "Hi-yo Silver, away", and Tonto would respond with, "Get 'em up, Scout."
The old westerns were not PC at all. Indians spoke with broken English.
Randy Godwin from Southern Georgia on August 19, 2013:
Didn't Tonto-- the Lone Ranger's Indian sidekick--have a horse named Scout? Or am I mistaken? I bet Will knows.
Great hub, by the way. :)
WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on August 19, 2013:
Randolph Scott's favorite horse was Stardust, a palomino:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/ameri...
Michele on August 19, 2013:
I have always liked the horse that Randolph Scott rode. So beautiful! I can't find out anything about him. Please help!?
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on July 13, 2013:
That is correct, Jen. Thanks for sharing.
jen on July 12, 2013:
Lone Rangers "Silver" was originally seen in the movie "Gone with the Wind" he was Scarlet O'Hara's, father's horse.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on May 02, 2013:
Great trivia, Michael! Thanks for sharing.
Michael Nolan on May 02, 2013:
Just a bit more on Buck Jones's horse, Silver. Buck actually had three light gray horses, Silver and his two doubles, Eagle and Sandy. All three lived in a barn behind Buck's house in Hollywood, and were treated as members of the family by Buck, his wife Dell, and their daughter Maxine. According to Dell, after Buck passed away in late 1942, Silver was so saddened that he stopped eating, and then passed away himself in 1943. (All this is from Buck Rainey's wonderful books on Jones, as well as his interviews with Buck's widow, Dell.)
amandajoyshapiro on April 21, 2013:
This would be great for film trivia.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on March 29, 2013:
Yes, I saw a photo of the stuffed Trigger on Roy's ranch many years ago.
Jmillis2006 from North Carolina on March 28, 2013:
Loved this hub, an interesting fact about Roy Rodgers horse trigger, when he died he was stuffed and posed in his iconic rearing pose, I believe the TV station RFD has him displayed somewhere in Missouri.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on March 28, 2013:
Thanks, Diana. I miss the good old days!
Diana L Pierce from Potter County, Pa. on March 28, 2013:
Well, done. I love the classic westerns. Voted up.
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on March 27, 2013:
Well, thank you Will! Glad you enjoyed it.
WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on March 27, 2013:
What a super Hub! I remember quite a few of those names, and enjoyed learning the rest.
Voted up and superb!
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on March 26, 2013:
Thank you for the well wishes. Sorry, I do not know anything about Little Thief. Wish I could help.
aclakshmana on March 25, 2013:
First I would like to wish you a speedy recovery.
I am delighted to go through your writing on films based on horses.It is very interesting and takes us back to our younger days. Some of them are older than that.In 1961 I had seen a movie based on an army champion jumping horse "little thief". I t was a beautiful movie and I am not getting any news about this movie. Can you or any one of you throw some light on this most touching movie I have ever seen.
aclakshmana@yahoo.com
India
WILLIAM EVANS (author) from GARLAND, TEXAS on February 13, 2013:
You lost me there, Melanie. Wish I knew.
