# Smoky — Smoky the Cowhorse character guide > Smoky in Smoky the Cowhorse by Will James. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Smoky the Cowhorse, Little Smoky, Poor Smoky **First appearance:** 0001-smoky-the-cowhorse ## Snapshot A jet-black range colt with more brains than the average wild horse, he learns the cowboy's trade and earns a name that travels from state to state. ## Who they are Smoky begins life on the sunny side of a low prairie butte with nothing but his mammy for company, then passes through the hands of bronc twisters, roundup wagons, and remudas until he becomes a top cowhorse. What sets him apart is a sensitivity that cuts both ways: he figures things out faster than most horses, which makes him both quicker to learn and harder to break. His early arc is the story of that intelligence meeting the human world, and of the one cowboy whose voice and spur rowel he comes to trust. ## Relationships ### [Clint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/clint) _friendship_ Clint and Smoky share a deep bond of trust and companionship, with Clint as the devoted owner and trainer. ### [Jeff Nicks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/jeff_nicks) _friendship_ Jeff Nicks respects and cares for Smoky as a valuable horse on the ranch. ### [Old Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/old_tom) _friendship_ Old Tom has a fond, experienced horseman's appreciation for Smoky's spirit and ability. ### [The Cougar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/the_cougar) _rivalry_ Smoky and the cougar are natural enemies, with the cougar posing a deadly threat to the horse. ### [Pecos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/pecos) _rivalry_ Pecos is a rival horse who challenges Smoky for dominance and status. ### [Cloudy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/cloudy) _friendship_ Cloudy and Smoky have a gentle, companionable bond as fellow horses on the ranch. ### [Tom Jarvis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/tom_jarvis) _professional_ Smoky is briefly owned or handled by Tom Jarvis in a business transaction. ### [Clint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/clint) _friendship_ Clint and Smoky share a deep bond of trust and companionship, with Clint as the devoted owner and trainer. ### [Jeff Nicks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/jeff_nicks) _friendship_ Jeff Nicks respects and cares for Smoky as a valuable horse on the ranch. ### [Old Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/old_tom) _friendship_ Old Tom has a fond, experienced horseman's appreciation for Smoky's spirit and ability. ### [Clint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/clint) _friendship_ Clint and Smoky share a deep bond of trust and companionship, with Clint as the devoted owner and trainer. ### [Jeff Nicks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/jeff_nicks) _friendship_ Jeff Nicks respects and cares for Smoky as a valuable horse on the ranch. ## In the story ### [Smoky the Cowhorse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/smoky-the-cowhorse) Introduced as a newborn colt on the range, beginning his life in the wild. ### [I: A Range Colt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/i-a-range-colt) Born as a jet-black colt on the range, struggles to stand and take his first steps, begins nursing and exploring. ### [II: Smoky Meets the Human](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/ii-smoky-meets-the-human) Smoky is the central character, a growing colt who experiences the loss of his mother's constant presence, the birth of a brother, and his first fearful encounter with humans and corrals. ### [Where the Trails Fork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/iii-where-the-trails-fork) Smoky matures from a mischievous three-year-old into a serious gelding, learning through fights and forming a partnership with the buckskin. ### [IV: The End of a Rope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/iv-the-end-of-a-rope) Captured, roped, and tied; experiences fear and helplessness as he is separated from his herd and begins his training. ### [The Bronc Twister Steps Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/v-the-bronc-twister-steps-up) A wild range horse with no meanness, but full of instinct and fear. He is intelligent and willing to learn, but needs patient teaching. ### [VI: “The Squeak of Leather”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/vi-the-squeak-of-leather) Shows strategic intelligence in bucking, learns to work cattle, and begins to bond with Clint. ### [Smoky Shows His Feelings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/vii-smoky-shows-his-feelings) Shows fierce loyalty and protectiveness toward Clint, attacking strangers who approach his injured rider. Reunites with his brother, a bay gelding. ### [Smoky Starts Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/viii-smoky-starts-out) Smoky is promoted to day-herd work and cutting out, showing skill and pride. He becomes fearful in the corral but is calmed by Clint. ### [IX: Fights for Rights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/ix-fights-for-rights) Defends himself against Old Tom's rough handling and later fights alongside Pecos against a black horse. ### [Amongst the Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/x-amongst-the-missing) Now a seasoned cowhorse, Smoky demonstrates remarkable intelligence, speed, and loyalty, understanding Clint's every cue and even choosing to keep his saddle rather than buck when the cinch breaks. ### [XI: “The Feel of a Strange Hand”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/xi-the-feel-of-a-strange-hand) Stolen and brutally abused by the horse thief; his hatred for humans intensifies until he attacks the thief. ### [XII: “When the Good Leaves”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/xii-when-the-good-leaves) The Cougar's heart shrivels as Smoky's true nature returns, leading to his decline as a bucking horse and eventual abandonment. ### [A Many-Men Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/xiii-a-many-men-horse) Now called Cloudy, he is a livery stable plug, worn down by aimless riding and losing his will to live. ### [Dark Clouds, Then Tall Grass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/chapters/xiv-dark-clouds-then-tall-grass) Recovering from his ordeal, Smoky slowly regains health and spirit under Clint's care, eventually showing signs of remembering his old life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters/smoky - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/smoky_the_cowhorse_se/characters