Smoky, the cow horse

by Will James

"Smoky, the cow horse" by Will James is a novel published in 1926 that won the 1927 Newbery Medal. The story follows a wild horse captured and trained by cowboy Clint, who becomes renowned as the finest cow horse around. When Smoky is stolen and brutalized by a horse thief, his life takes a dark turn through violence, rodeo fame, and abuse. Through years of hardship and separation, the bond between horse and cowboy endures, leading to an unexpected reunion that will test whether trust can be restored.