Stallion

Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright rode that pinto horse since the series began in 1959. So it was a big surprise that Lorne Greene imported as a birthday present a nice new bred for speed stallion. It's one beautiful animal but when Greene and Landon take possession of the horse at the railroad junction it arouses the jealous resentful ire of Clu Gulager who was looking for work there.

Gulager and wife Mitzi Hoag and son Vincent Van Patten have moved into an abandoned mountain cabin. Gulager is one of those resentful peckerwood types of anyone who has more than he does. He's also a racist lout who won't take a job involving real work or association with other white people. And he's an abusive bully to his wife.

Gulager steals the horse and that sets up the rest of this story. Gulager is truly one hateful individual. Hoag gives a quiet understated performance as an abused wife with nowhere else to go.

Gulager really makes this episode.

A somewhat ripoff of a season 2 episode called ''The Gift'' Not surprised the co-writer of that episode was involved in the writing of this episode too.

Joe gets his dream horse. And a ne'er do well played by Clu Gulager wants it. Apparently this is similar to season 2 episode of Bonanza. Brings to mind some Virginian episodes. Gulager played Sheriff on Virginian. This movie calls to mind a Virginian where a horse is stolen. This one involves class envy. It looks like True Grit at times too. Regardless of antecedent Landon is great as usual with music, which is recycled in Little House on the Prairie. Shame profanity made its way into later episodes. Still there's a good message about importance of right and wrong meaning more than material goods. Also forgiveness isn't easy. Vince Van Patten shines in Westerns.