During the late 1940s and the 1950s,Westernswere a huge part of the television landscape.
New shows featuring cowboys debuted all the time, earning even more fans.
Popular series likeGunsmoke, Maverick,Rawhide, andBonanzabecameappointment viewing for most Americans.
Custom Image by Nimesh Niyomal
These four-legged co-stars often became household names, sometimes just as much as their human counterparts.
During the heyday of Westerns on television,the animal actors were well-compensated.
And how lame would those Westerns have beenwithout the cowboys swooping inon their steeds to nab the bandits?
Image via Public Domain
Bonanzais available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
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