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Smoky the Cowhorse
Paperback
AnimalsGeneral Juvenile Nonfiction
Publisher: Les Prairies Numeriques
Published: Mar 1 2026
Pages: 262
Weight: 0.78
Height: 0.59 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Smoky the Cowhorse
by Will James
On an isolated range in the American West, a young horse named Smoky is born and raised. Allowed to run free for the first few years of his life, he's later captured and tamed by a cowboy named Clint. Clint sees something special in Smoky, and quickly falls in love with the intelligent, wild young horse. As the years pass, Smoky must overcome many challenges ranging from mountain lions and winter storms to horse thieves and the greatest challenge the wilderness faces: modern society.Winner of the 1927 Newbery Medal, Smoky the Cowhorse is Will James's most famous book. Upon winning the award, James expressed surprise, because he had intended the book for adults.
The story details the life of a horse in the western United States from his birth to his eventual decline. It takes place after the year 1910, during which the West dies away and automobiles are introduced. Smoky is born in the wild but is captured and trained by a cowboy named Clint. Clint is taken by Smoky's intelligence and spirit, and he uses him as his personal saddle horse. Under his guidance, Smoky soon becomes known as the best cow horse around. Later on, Smoky is among a number of horses stolen by a horse thief. When Smoky refuses to allow the thief to ride him, being loyal only to Clint, he is beaten repeatedly in punishment. Developing an intense hatred for humans from this treatment, Smoky eventually attacks and kills the thief.
When Smoky is later captured by local authorities, his now violent and aggressive demeanor prompts his use as a bucking bronco at a rodeo. Under the moniker of The Cougar, he becomes the most famous rodeo attraction in the South West, and people come from miles away to attempt to ride him. Years of performing at the rodeo eventually take their toll on his body and spirit, and he is left a shell of his former self.
As he is no longer of any use as a rodeo horse, he is renamed Cloudy and used as a riding horse, then later sold to an abusive man who starves him. During this time, Clint finally reunites with Smoky. While in town on business, Clint spots and recognizes the horse. After having Smoky's current owner arrested for his acts of cruelty, Clint reclaims him and takes him home with him. Although Clint initially despairs at the condition Smoky is in, his careful treatment of the horse begins to show results. In the end, Smoky has completely recovered his former health and personality.
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James, Will
Smoky the Cowhorse: A novel by Will James that was the winner of the 1927 Newbery Medal
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