Koko

KoKo, "The Miracle Horse of the Movies", was a white-maned, white-tailed chocolate-coloured chestnut stallion trained by Hollywood's premier equestrian specialist Glenn H. Randall Sr. (as was the legendary Palomino Trigger ridden by Roy Rogers). It was purchased from Randall at the age of ten by cowboy actor Rex Allen. Rumour had it that KoKo was at one time earmarked for Dale Evans but was too difficult for her to handle. In any case, KoKo became Rex Allen's trusted and much loved steed and went on to perform as a trick or stunt horse, co-starring in a series of westerns Allen made for Republic between 1950 and 1954. KoKo also headlined with Allen on the rodeo circuit and (according to an interview in 1997) in "theaters, and auditoriums, nearly every summer. I'd go back for eight days and do a film and go back to the road. Take the horse and load 'im up and grab a few musicians." Allen also mused that he had more requests from fans for photos of his horse, than of himself. One of KoKo's offspring, a close lookalike, was named KoKo Jr but ultimately did not live up to his father's illustrious reputation. Unlike Trigger, KoKo did not end up as a museum exhibit but was eventually buried on Allen's ranch near Tucson, Arizona.