Four Legged Pals -- Those Wonderful Movie Horses

Horses in B-Westerns were often as famous as the six-gun heroes that rode them.  In fact, many films were all about the horse.  Let's meet a few of the equine stars...

Apache -- a beautiful paint horse -- was owned by Bob 'Tumbleweed' Baker.   Baker rode Apache in all his starring roles.  Baker is believed to have sold Apache to Montie Montana who have a penchant for beautiful paint horses.  [A different Apache was ridden by Bill Williams in the "Kit Carson" TV series]

Baron -- a handsome white horse -- was owned and ridden by Tom Tyler in many of his 1930s films.

Black Diamond -- a stunning Black thoroughbred -- ridden by Lash LaRue whose outfit was all black.  Some researchers suggest the same horse was sometimes called 'Rush.'

Black Jack -- was beautiful black stallion -- owned and ridden by Rocky Lane.  According to Bobby Copeland's book "Silent Hoofbeats" Black Jack was a Morgan that Lane bought from Bill Elliott in 1946.  I believe the horse was probably 'Thunder' in both of their respective Red Ryder roles.

Brownie -- his favorite it has been suggested -- was just one of dozens of horses ridden by Bob Steele.  Others were named Flambow, Boy, Shiek Coco, Zane and Sacks.

Cactus -- a dazzling white horse -- ridden by Sunset Carson.  Research suggests the horse was originally named Silver by Republic Pictures, but Carson later changed it to Cactus.

Champion -- “Wonder Horse of the West” -- a sorrel with a blaze and three white stockings appeared throughout Gene Autry's film and television career, but there were at least four different Champions. 

Diablo -- a flashy paint horse -- owned and ridden by Duncan Renaldo (especially in the 1950s "The Cisco Kid" TV Series) was just one of many Diablos used in Renaldo's film and TV shows.

Duke -- "The Miracle Horse"  -- in early 1930s John Wayne oaters was (like a lot of things in the movies) not always as it appeared.  It seems -- on close examination -- Wayne was actually mounted on many different white steeds.

Falcon -- a palomino with a brand (maybe 'S') on his left shoulder -- was the primary mount used by Buster Crabbe during his days with PRC, but he occasionally appeared on a other colored horses.

Additional reading:

Silent Hoofbeats (2001) by Bobby J. Copeland… A salute to the horses and riders of the bygone B-Western era

Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across The Silver Screen (2005) by Petrine Day Mitchum and Audrey Pavia… In Hollywood Hoofbeats, author Petrine Day Mitchum tells stories in page-turning detail, covering topics such as behind-the-scenes portraits of both famous movie horses and those virtually unknown; personal accounts from their trainers, owners, and costars; simple and complex horse stunts, from a fall in mid-gallop to a race across a bridge during a live explosion; and historic black-and-white photos and richly colored contemporary stills.

Horses in the Movies (1979) by Harold F. Hintz… Horses have always been an important part of the movie industry. The B Westerns owed much of their popularity to horses. In fact, horses had some of the most important parts. Some horses achieved great popularity their names known in almost every household. 

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Hold your horses… before you write to tell me I missed your favorite six-gun hero and his steed -- there'll be more coming soon.

Stay tuned...