Back when I was just a kid, the television airwaves were full of westerns. There were only three channels available to watch, not like today when, even without cable, there are too many options with a wide range of topics. I would spend hours with my feet almost touching the base of our large black-and-white console television, mesmerized by the cowboys and horses galloping across the screen. I was so young; In fact, he believed that if he cut a hole big enough in the glass front of the set for him to pass through, he would be able to go to the shows and live in the Old West. Only knowing that my parents’ severe reprimand prevented me from carrying out my plans.
Being so young when I first discovered cowboys and horses, my love at first was not for the handsome cowboys, but for their horses. When I laid my head on my pillow at night, my last waking thoughts were “Stop, Silver!” I could imagine myself on the back of that white horse as he reared up and kicked at the sky. I always wondered how the Lone Ranger managed to stay. Much later, I rode a horse that would do the same trick and found that while it looked impressive, it was quite easy to stay on board. I even loved Toro’s horse, Scout. Since I couldn’t have a real horse, I started collecting plastic ones. My collection started with Silver and the Lone Ranger and the second addition was a Breyer pinto pony which, of course, I named Scout.
Who didn’t love Trigger? He really wasn’t that fond of Roy Rogers, and Dale Evan’s horse Buttermilk was definitely nice, but Trigger wasn’t just beautiful, he was smart too! He was able to perform over 100 tricks and the palomino tack was amazing. I can’t say I was pleased to learn that Trigger was stuffed and put on display after his death. To me, it was a rude death for such a magnificent animal.
When Trigger disappeared from my life, color television was becoming more popular, as were the weekly Westerns. We didn’t have color TVs when they started showing up in local appliance stores, but my grandparents did. It was a special pleasure to be at his house on Sunday night and see “Bonanaza” in “living color”. I was beginning to take an interest in both cowboys and their horses. You would think he would have been a “Little Joe” (Michael Landon) fan, but my sister claimed him. For some reason I still can’t explain, I liked “Hoss” (Dan Blocker). When it came to the Ponderosa horses, I chose the buckskin that Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) rode. Buckskins were popular in the old westerns and I liked Ben’s horse as much as I liked the buckskin in “Gunsmoke.” Who would have thought they were the same horse!
When “The Virginian” and “Laredo” came on the air, we finally had a color TV. I don’t think there was a girl who didn’t love James Drury or Trampas (Doug McClure). The Virginian was riding an Appaloosa and Trampas was riding a Buckskin. I never got the names of any of his horses. Laredo provided more teen heartthrob like rangers Chad Cooper (Peter Brown) and Joe Riley (William Smith). Once again there was an ante in the series ridden by Joe Riley. Chad Cooper’s horse was actually owned by actor Peter Brown. But the only one whose name he knew was the horse ridden by Reese Bennett (Neville Brand). Reese often talked to his horse, so I knew her name was Cactus.
I think the last western that captured my imagination was “The High Chaparral.” The show was well written and remains one of my favorites. I fell in love with “Buck” (Cameron Mitchell) and his horse, Rebel. Buck was a bit rough around the edges, but he had a sweet nature that shone through. His bay horse was a mongrel, as were most of the horses used in the show. I loved the Rebel’s arched neck and ear cups paired with a bridle adorned with some feathers. Manolito (Henry Darrow) came second with his fun-loving character riding a beautiful chestnut horse, the Mackadoo, in a Spanish style. I’m happy to report that this show, along with many more of my favorites, is currently available to watch. During an episode of “The High Chaparral” I was impressed by a stunt involving Rebel & Mackadoo. The Apaches were chasing Buck and Manolito. They stopped behind some bushes, dismounted, and made both horses lie down, hidden until the Apaches galloped past. The horses quickly get up and remount.
For a long time, he had decided that the name “Sirocco” would be a splendid name for an energetic horse. I never had a horse that fit, but I stored it in my memory the same way. It was during a recent broadcast of “The High Chaparral” that I found out where the idea originated from. Blue (Mark Slade) had captured a wild stallion. I don’t think there was a western where someone, at some point, didn’t capture a wild stallion. He was fighting for a name when his father, Big John Cannon (Leif Erickson), suggested “Sirocco” explaining that it meant a hot wind. I was very surprised to realize that I remembered that name for so many years without connecting it to its origin.
I remember the names of many of the television horses that I have loved over the years. I know that they played an important role in my attachment to horses throughout my life. I have a plaque hanging on the wall in my office that says, “Dogs leave footprints on your heart.” Given that sentiment, I have to add, “horses leave footprints on your soul.”
© 2013 Kristie Allison
