When Gunsmoke premiered on September 10, 1955, viewers were instantly captivated by the image of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon racing through the rugged landscape on a powerful horse. That horse, known as Buck, was a striking buckskin Thoroughbred who soon became inseparable from James Arness’s portrayal of Dillon. The Matt Dillon Gunsmoke horse story reveals that Buck was chosen more for practicality than personality, but his onscreen presence left a lasting mark on the Western genre.
The Role of Buck in Gunsmoke and Beyond
For 20 years and 635 episodes, James Arness frequently partnered with Buck, a horse selected primarily for his size rather than intelligence or temperament. Arness once remarked,
Buck was chosen not because of his intellect or his fidelity, but because he is very large and only a very large horse will fit me,
according to INSP. He humorously added,
You’ll never catch Buck doing calculus on Gunsmoke. Confidentially, Old Buck is kind of stupid. Can’t even count to four.
Although Buck carried Arness throughout most of Gunsmoke, the horse was never referred to by name in the series. As Arness explained,
This horse is never identified by name in the show, simply because in Gunsmoke, as in the real Old West, horses were cheap and a cowboy—or a U.S. marshal—seldom had a favorite. He didn’t keep a horse that long. He’d swap his off on a long trip for a fresh horse, or sell him between jobs, knowing he could buy another when he needed it and avoid stable bills.
Buck’s Life Beyond Gunsmoke
Offscreen, Buck’s life was notable beyond his role as Matt Dillon’s steady mount. In 1956, Arness rode Buck in the film Gun the Man Down, and Buck’s fame extended to other popular Western shows. The horse was seen carrying Ben Cartwright on Bonanza as well as the trail boss on Rawhide, making him a familiar figure across the genre’s top series.
When Bonanza concluded in 1975, the horse was adopted by Lorne Greene, the actor who played Ben Cartwright. Greene later donated Buck to a therapeutic riding center, where the horse played an important role in helping children with mental and physical disabilities enjoy horseback riding, adding a meaningful chapter to his legacy.
Honoring Buck’s Legacy and Gunsmoke’s Anniversary
Buck lived an impressive 45 years, passing away in 1992. His lasting impact has been celebrated once more as Gunsmoke approaches its 70th anniversary. In recognition of this milestone, MeTV is presenting a month-long marathon starting August 30, 2025, running through September 27. Each weekday at 1 pm ET, the network will air themed “Best Of” episodes, while Saturdays at 11 am will feature the five made-for-TV Gunsmoke movies that followed the original series.
This week specifically honors “Best of Matt Dillon,” showcasing some of the most memorable episodes starring Arness. The schedule includes The Gallows on September 8, Caleb on September 9, Sam McTavish M.D. on September 10, Seven Hours to Dawn on September 11, and With a Smile on September 12. Throughout September, fans can revisit many of the classic series’ best moments, celebrating a show and a horse that defined television Westerns for generations.
