December 30, 2003

Famous TV/Movie Horses.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim @ 8:04 pm

Buried in the text of my December 26th post was a question about the name of Hopalong Cassidy’s horse. I got no takers. Now, I’m curious about how well you know your television/movie horses.

How many of the following horses can you name? No Googling. We’ll use the honor system. I’ll post the answers in the comments section.

Roy Rogers’ horse

Dale Evans’ horse

Wild Bill Hickok’s horse

Jingles’ (Wild Bill’s sidekick) horse

The Lone Ranger’s horse

Tonto’s horse

The Cisco Kid’s horse

Zorro’s horse

Gene Autry’s horse

Hopalong Cassidy’s horse

72 Comments »

  1. I love this site, brings up Gabby Hayes memories…………..

    Comment by Susan Rose — May 5, 2004 @ 12:16 pm

  2. This is a great idea and memory lane to travel again !

    Comment by Jerry — May 10, 2004 @ 10:34 pm

  3. Please send the names of the famous horses and their rider !

    Comment by Jerry — May 10, 2004 @ 10:41 pm

  4. I just now realized that the comments (and the answers) were zapped when I switched over from BlogSpot. So, here they are:

    Roy’s – Trigger

    Dale’s – Buttermilk

    Wild Bill’s – Buckshot

    Lone Ranger – Silver

    Jingles – Joker

    Tonto – Scout

    Cisco Kid – Diablo

    Zorro – Tornado

    Gene Autry – Champion

    Hopalong Cassidy – Topper

    Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — May 10, 2004 @ 10:44 pm

  5. rex allen koko lash larue black dimond tom mix tony john wayne duke flash gordon falcon james arness buck chuck conners razor tex ritter white flash bat masterson stardust festus mule ruth

    Comment by carol hicks — October 26, 2004 @ 9:05 am

  6. George “Gabby” Hayes Horse–Eddie

    Comment by G. Braun — January 16, 2005 @ 7:43 pm

  7. LOOKING FOR PICTURE OF NICK BARKLEYS HORSE ON BIG VALLEY 0 . PETER BRECK PLAYED NICK BARKLEY HIS HORSE WAS A BEAUTIFUL BLAK AND WHITE STALLION NAMED COCO.

    Comment by BRAD — January 19, 2005 @ 7:19 pm

  8. ………………

    Comment by Pati — March 14, 2005 @ 3:05 pm

  9. MR DILLON ON GUNSMOKE HORSE NAME??

    Comment by MMCLEAN — May 19, 2005 @ 7:01 pm

  10. MMCLEAN,

    Off the top of my head (no Googling), I think it was “Buck,” but I wouldn’t bet the ranch on that.

    Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — May 19, 2005 @ 7:45 pm

  11. Just found the answer to a long-running question I had – What was the name of Red Ryder’s horse?

    It was Thunder – now, how about Little Beaver’s?

    Comment by N.L. — July 23, 2005 @ 9:35 pm

  12. Does ANYONE know the name of the horse Capt. Parmington rode in the F Troop series?

    Comment by Rich — November 10, 2005 @ 12:24 pm

  13. How about—Dice? TONY?–RING-EYE?—Steele?—Travler?—Raider? How about Custer? Zorro? and the Durango Kid? Little Joe?

    Comment by Jan — November 27, 2005 @ 11:11 am

  14. Does anyone know a Western movie sidkick with a horse named Calico. Pleese.

    Comment by Don Briscoe — January 26, 2007 @ 11:32 am

  15. Hop-a-Long Casssidy’s horse was Topper

    Comment by Dusty — April 26, 2007 @ 5:25 pm

  16. Hi, Wild Bill Elliott horse was KoKo, also Buster Crab had a horse in the title too.

    Comment by william praegner — August 30, 2007 @ 1:58 pm

  17. Hi, Wild Bill Elliott horse was KOKO and Buster Crab had a horse in the title too.

    Comment by william praegner — August 30, 2007 @ 2:00 pm

  18. My sons are wondering so I figured I ask here and see if anyone could answer their question. What breed of horse was The Durango Kid’s (Charles Starett’s) horse, Raider… and also Smiley Burnetter (a.k.a. Frog Millhouse)’s horse Old Ring-Eyed Nellie?
    Thanks for any help you can give us!

    Comment by Billie — October 10, 2007 @ 7:36 pm

  19. FOR THE PERSON ( number 7 ) WHO WAS COMMENTING ABOUT PETER BRECKS HORSE (Nick on the big valley) and was wanting a picture.. He didnt ride a black and white horse… He rode a CHESTNUT WITH FLAXEN MANE AND TAIL.. you had the name right Cocoa.. Michael landen ( little joe )on Bonanza rode a black and white paint.. and so did the cisco kid.. his horses name was diablo

    Comment by JEANIE — December 17, 2007 @ 10:16 pm

  20. Didn’t the Rifelman have a horse and what was his name? Did Clamity Jane have a horse and what was her name?
    Thanks, Robin

    Comment by Robin — January 24, 2008 @ 10:41 pm

  21. What’s the name of Adam Cartwright’s horse on Bonanza?

    Comment by virginia — April 8, 2008 @ 2:16 pm

  22. In regards to Little Beaver, his horse was named Cayuse.

    Comment by JJ Hinojosa — April 12, 2008 @ 7:46 pm

  23. What was poncho’s horse’s name you know the Cisco kid’s side kick

    Comment by Bob — April 17, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

  24. Where would I find a photo of Rex Allens Horse Coco and Coco Jr.
    Also what breed of Horse were they?
    Thanks

    Comment by teressa — June 12, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

  25. john waynes horse was named dollar not duke dean martins horses name was dice, jimmy stewarts horse;s name was pie when john wayne died dollar was taken by a friend and roped on for awhile if you watch the movie robin hood with errol flynn the palamino that maid marion is riding registered is golden cloud also known as triggerersog who was purchased by roy rogers dale originally had a palamino named pal but he was to high strung so they got buttermilk

    Comment by marsha boyer — June 24, 2008 @ 9:02 pm

  26. I know that the Cisco Kid’s horse’s name was Diablo, but in some shows I could see a difference in the horse at times. Diablo’s face was mostly white, but in some movie shots it showed Diablo with an almost black face. I’m sure it was a stunt double for Diablo. Do you have any idea who this other horse could have been?

    Thanks in advance

    Comment by jerry littrell — September 9, 2008 @ 11:40 pm

  27. Would you happen to know what Cowboy had a horse named Sapphire??

    Comment by george — January 14, 2009 @ 10:00 am

  28. My husband thinks “dad gum it” was Ponchs horses’ name. Does anyone know or sure?

    Comment by Virginia — April 10, 2009 @ 8:36 pm

  29. I dont think Dale’s horse was Buttermilk. I think it was Buttercup.
    Was trying to match cowboy heroes up with their horses this morning & found this on google. Terrific!

    Comment by Sandra — June 9, 2009 @ 10:56 am

  30. I have a question for you… my mother used to call me “Saffire” on occasion. The way she used the name it made me think there was a horse with that name…

    I can’t ask her because she died a long time ago.

    Do you know the reference? (I just started searching on-line)

    Jen

    Comment by Jennifer Levine — September 4, 2009 @ 12:06 pm

  31. Jen,

    “Sapphire” was Kingfish’s wife’s name in the Amos and Andy show. She was a great character who always tried to keep Kingfish from getting in the soup with various hairbrained schemes, much like “Alice” in the “Honeymooners.”

    I don’t know if your mother was referring to her, but it’s the only Sapphire that comes to mind.

    Jimbo

    Comment by Jim — September 4, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

  32. “Loco” was Panchos horse

    and John Wayne rode a number of different horses. Bo (or Beau), Dollor, Dollar, Cochise, Duke, Banner, Steel, Alamo, and Starlight

    The two he rode for the longest period of time seem to be Banner (14 years) and Dollar

    Comment by cooler — September 10, 2009 @ 11:51 pm

  33. Hi,

    Dale Evans’ horse’s name was Buttermilk, because she was a light buckskin colored horse.

    It was not Buttercup, although that’s a cute name.

    Wild Bill’s horse’s name was Buckshot because he was an appaloosa, with spots all over him.

    Comment by Vivian Reilly — December 9, 2009 @ 4:00 am

  34. What are the names of Steve McQueens and Yule Brenners mounts in ‘The Magnificent 7’ ?

    Comment by AJ — January 24, 2010 @ 4:25 pm

  35. What is the name of the “Lone Rangers” nephews horse?

    Comment by AJ — January 24, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

  36. I would like more information about the movie horse “Steel” if you have it. Like where he was born and raised. Thank you

    Comment by Bryan Harris — February 6, 2010 @ 7:34 pm

  37. it would apear that some folks have a lot of time on thier handsso what was tontos grandmothers maiden name?

    Comment by james pinkard — March 28, 2010 @ 7:45 pm

  38. Just catching up with the posts on cowboys’ horses but William Praegner had it wrong with Wild Bill Elliott’s horse. It was not Koko, but “Thunder” at least in the Red Ryder films. The horse went onto Allan Lane in the series and later became Blackjack. KoKo was the name of Rex Allen’s horse and Buster Crabbe’s horse (in the Billy the Kid series at PRC) was “Falcon.” Dale Evans called her horse “Buttermilk” after her favorite drink.There was another horse that looked like Cisco Kid’s horse “Diablo” but I don’t think it was ever used as Diablo’s double horse. The horse’s name was “Dice” or “Pair of Dice” and was used in several films, westerns and non-westerns including “Duel in the Sun.”

    Comment by Mike Newton — April 26, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

  39. Re: No. 36 above: Information about the Quarter horse “Steel” can be found in the book HOLLYWOOD HOOFBEATS. It can be found on Amazon and also the catalog, Back in the Saddle. The horse was popular among movie cowboys. He was ridden by Ben Johnson in “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” He was my favorite movie horse next to Trigger.

    Comment by Nancy Lacey — April 29, 2010 @ 12:47 pm

  40. Was there a horse called Big Red in any Westerns

    Comment by Bernie NIcholls — October 17, 2010 @ 7:48 am

  41. Very interesting read.

    Comment by Jessica Morgan — October 18, 2010 @ 8:23 am

  42. For the longest time I thought Little Beaver’s horse was named ‘Quiver’! I later found too many confirmed title’s of ‘Papoose’. Cayuse is a name only referenced this page. If I were a betting man I would go for Papoose! The problem, Red Ryder was the hero and his horse ‘Thunder’ took center stage. I do know in the early 40’s radio programs, Little Beaver rode Papoose.

    Comment by Bob Rollins — October 24, 2010 @ 1:25 pm

  43. In the Majority of the movies Little Beaver was played by “Rocky” Lane. Don Reynolds played the role in the last one or two. In all movies his horse was “Papoose”

    Comment by USTAWUZ — December 5, 2010 @ 9:08 am

  44. What was the breed of Beau John Wayne’s horse?

    Comment by Angie — February 19, 2011 @ 4:12 pm

  45. I am referring to an earlier post asking for the name of the Lone Ranger’s nephew’s horse. If you have ever seen “A Christmas Story” that the kid’s father was trying to answer to win the Nehi Leg Lamp. The mother was the one who answered correctly, “Victor.” The Lone Ranger’s nephew was of course Dan Reid who grew up in Radioland to become the father of the Green Hornet. On television, the horse resembled Silver a great deal although no mention was ever made of its parentage.

    Comment by Mike Newton — March 26, 2011 @ 6:53 pm

  46. The horse called “Steel” must have the most popular horse to the cowboy stars. You could always indentify him by the “three-prong brand” he had on his lower left hip. John Wayne, Robert Taylor, Clark Gable, Joel McCrea,Tim Holt, Ben Johnson are just a few that I have seen riding him…oh yeah maybe even Randolph Scott!

    Comment by wayne — April 26, 2011 @ 8:54 pm

  47. I always thought Little Joe called his paint horse “cochise” Am i correct? Hoss I am not sure of his horses name but he was a dark colored horse and also very pretty.

    Comment by Flo Bessemer — October 20, 2011 @ 1:37 pm

  48. Re: who played Little Beaver in the Red Ryder films and what was the name of his horse. One blogger said it was Rocky Lane. It was Robert “Bobby Blake” in 23 Red Ryder westerns: 16 with Wild Bill Elliott and 7 with Allan Rocky Lane. Little Beaver’s horse was called “Papoose” This was the original name taken from the comic strip. Red Ryder’s horse was Thunder. In the Cinecolor westerns, Jim Bannon played Red Ryder and Don Kay Reynolds (Little Brown Jug) played Little Beaver.

    Comment by Mike Newton — November 26, 2011 @ 6:20 pm

  49. Re: What kind of a horse was Raider (the Durango Kid). I believe it was a Moab. Part Morgan and part Arabian. Starrett said that in his 17 years of westerns – 1935-52- he rode 33 white horses. Smiley Burnette’s horse “Ringeye” was rented from a stable. It’s breed was never revealed but it was shore a swayback nag.

    Comment by Mike Newton — November 26, 2011 @ 6:25 pm

  50. utiful palimino stallion named Golden Sovereign and Trigger played the part of Golden Sovereign as well as his beautiful self in that movie.

    Comment by Lola — February 10, 2012 @ 9:16 pm

  51. My last comment was cut in half…

    Sunset Carson rode Cactus (he was a white stallion)

    Rex Allen’s horse, Koko was a beautiful Rocky Mountain Horse Breed, dark roan with a flaxen main and tail.

    Trigger played the part of Golden Sovereign and himself in one of Roy’s movies. Trigger was also in the Don Juan movie with Errol Flynn. Olivia DeHaviland was riding him.

    Tom Mix rode Tony.

    Comment by Lola — February 10, 2012 @ 9:20 pm

  52. One more..

    Joel McRae rode Charcoal

    Comment by Lola — February 10, 2012 @ 9:21 pm

  53. Wasn’t the movie studio owned horse,STEEL, the roan with the really wide white stripe down his face? It almost covered his entire head to his nose.I remember noticing this particular horse in many western movies in the 40s and early 50’s. I was thinking that I read somewhere that his name was Steel. Someone should put a book together on all these horses for us horse lovers. What fun that would be.

    Comment by Linda — February 10, 2012 @ 9:32 pm

  54. Cannot find the name of Black Whip’s horse in the Republic Serial “Zorro’s Black Whip”. Black Whip was played by Linda Stirling

    Comment by Rob — August 20, 2012 @ 9:56 pm

  55. Response to #43 from USTAWUZ. Don’t mean to ruffle your feathers, pardner, but you’re all wrong. First off, Bill Elliott made the majority of Red Ryder movies at 16, while Allan Lane played RR in 7 films. Bobby Blake played Little Beaver. Republic missed the deadline at renewing the production license and didn’t want to pay the increase in fees. Also, Bobby Blake was outgrowing the part and they couldn’t find a suitable substitute, so the series dropped. Eagle-Lion picked it up in 1949 with Jim Bannon in the lead, with Don Kay Reynolds (Little Brown Jug) as Little Beaver.

    Comment by Mike Newton — November 18, 2012 @ 5:35 pm

  56. What was Dale Evans horse(s) name. I have found 2 answers Buttercup & Buttermilk – I found one note on the web that Buttercup was a mistake but other sites say the 2 horses died 6-7 years apart – does anyone have a difinative answer. Thanks

    Comment by ray mitchell — November 25, 2012 @ 11:50 am

  57. Dale Evan’s horse was definately Buttermilk.

    The best looking movie horse was Randolph Scott’s palomino horse…… Stardust.

    The horse was actually leased by its Owners to numerous cowboys actors.

    Comment by Kevin Goldston — December 15, 2012 @ 12:36 pm

  58. Wondering if anyone knows the registered name of “Coco” the horse Nick Barkley primarily rode in The Big Valley? Interested in his pedigree, who owned/bred him.
    Thanks!

    Comment by Penny Garzarek — May 9, 2013 @ 12:12 am

  59. in the 40s & early 50s we had radio & coal oil lamps.I lived for 1 sat per mth when we took wagon 6 mi to town,parked it & team in a wagon yard & I got a nickel for the lil theater..always serials short westerns-tex ritter,tom mix,who always said-dig dirt tony..lil beaver,red ryder & woman ranch/owner-dutchess??…lil beaver= you betchum & me fetchum RR…johnny mack,whip Wilson,lash larue,etc,etc,…but daily,after work & chores,we’d have,maybe,half/hourafter dark for radio-serials-sargent preston of tha youkon & his dog-king–ruurr,ruurr-on king-on you huskies you…skyyy king…wiiilld bill hichock & tha beee-baarr-beee-riiderrs & jingles-wait fer me wild bill…sorry to bore y’all,but your comments brought it all back,jus when I thought I’s losin my mem & I’m much obliged to you all for the warm feelins…

    Comment by Burt — January 29, 2014 @ 7:19 am

  60. As a kid in the fifties I grew up watching Roy Rogers & Trigger. Also as an adult some years later I visited Roy’s museum on the high desert in Victorville, California. And while I agree that Trigger was a very handsome horse I believe that Randolf Scott’s Stardust was better looking!

    Comment by Fifties Kid — May 12, 2014 @ 10:46 am

  61. What was the name of the beautiful brown horse with the golden mane, that was in movies with Randolph Scott?

    Comment by Harold — November 23, 2014 @ 5:25 am

  62. Response to 51: Rex Allen’s KoKo (whose grave is situated in Railroad Park, Willcox/AZ) was not a Rocky
    Mtn Horse, but a Morgan. And he was not a roan, but what is called a black chestnut (obviously carrying a flaxen gene). Rocky Mt Horses carry the Silver Dapple gene and are diluted blacks.
    Response to 53: Steel (by a TB, out of a QH mare)… he carried the legendary Pitchfork brand, but is said to have been bred by the late Hyde Merrit at his Ranch in Arizona. I’d personally like to learn more about his ancestry and whether he ever sired any offspring. And his color was chestnut… not roan.

    Comment by Anette Steyn — March 4, 2015 @ 10:19 am

  63. Does anyone know and recognize that the pinto Michael Landon road in Bonanza was switched half-way or about the Bonanza series, NOT the same pinto. Two different, but closely matched horses.

    Comment by Paula Wells — June 10, 2015 @ 3:16 pm

  64. Randolph Scott, was it a Missouri Fox Trotter, Thank yo

    Comment by steve — July 11, 2015 @ 3:43 pm

  65. Who were the “Owners” refetred to by your commentor of the sorrel with flaxen mane & tail made famous in Randolf Scott’s 1950s westerns & that he called “Stardust”? What breed of horse was he? What other movies did he appear in & when?
    My parents bought a horse, that could have passed for Stardust, from a dealer in Scotts Valley, CA in 1961 or 1962. The well trained reining horse came from a Hollywood used stable & reputably had a film career. The horse was sold to the dealer after being foundered. The dealer nursed him back to health with patience & a special diet.

    Comment by Robin Cadwalafer — July 11, 2015 @ 5:06 pm

  66. I’d like to see fotos of the horse KoKo.

    Comment by Judy wilder — August 13, 2015 @ 1:50 am

  67. I’d like to see photos of the horse KoKo.

    Comment by Judy wilder — August 13, 2015 @ 1:52 am

  68. Nothing at all has been said about Dear John! A most famous roan, that would buck on que, be seen sitting on his haunches, a trick taught. Slim pickins his owner said he could jump anything, lets hear it for DearJohn!

    Comment by dondouglas — October 4, 2015 @ 6:06 pm

  69. Everyone knows that when Charles Starret was in his black outfit dressed as the “Durango Kid”, he rode his white stallion, “Raider”. Few know that the big chestnut horse that he rode when he was out of his disguise was called “Socks”. No one was tougher than Durango, except my Dad.

    Comment by Lou Scatena — December 23, 2015 @ 12:04 pm

  70. Boss’s horse was named Chub.

    Comment by Sheila — January 3, 2016 @ 2:32 am

  71. When I were a lad growing up in the UK (50’s) we watched many b/w cowboy shows eg lone ranger, cisco kid, gunsmoke etc; I vaguely recall someone had a horse called “Sapphire”. Am I correct or not ? Thanx.
    btw, we did not get the amos and andy show.

    Comment by Priapus — July 21, 2016 @ 12:21 pm

  72. If I remember correctly, Joe Cartwright’s paint was “Cochise”. And I too believe during the series the horse was switched with a look-a-like.

    And I agree with # 57 – Randolph Scott’s movie horse was the best looking and I think Randolph Scott was the best looking cowboy ever!

    Comment by Beth B. — December 29, 2016 @ 1:34 pm

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