Silver(IV)

The Lone Ranger's white horse, like the Ranger, are fictional characters created by George W. Trendle, or by Fran Striker, for Detroit radio station WXYZ. They first appeared on radio in 1933. For publicity, the radio station hired a horse named Hero. With Brace Beemer, the voice of the Lone Ranger, they both would do public appearances. Later years Brace bought his own white horse named "Silver's Pride", that he would prefer using for appearances. As years went by naturally movies were made of the Lone Ranger adventures. The Lone Ranger (1938) featured Silver Chief as Silver. The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939) featured Silver Chief as Silver. When the television series The Lone Ranger (1949) aired there were several different white horses. Hugh Hooker the original owner of a white stallion named White Cloud was personally picked for the series by Clayton Moore who would play the Lone Ranger for the series. White Cloud was 12 years old at this time and a very impressive tall horse. Said to be 17+ hands tall. White Cloud owned by stuntman/wrangler Bill Ward at the time would also work on the television series as stuntman/stand-in for Clayton. Another white horse that Bill Ward owned, named Traveler played Silver for stunts requiring action scenes. Bill Ward, dressed as the Lone Ranger would ride during chase, leap off at a full gallop, and do jumps off of Traveler. Nobody else rode Traveler. Not even Clayton Moore. During the period when Clayton Moore was replaced by John Hart, another horse was brought in to play Silver. This white horse named " Tarzen's White Banner" renamed "Hi-Yo Silver" by its new owner George W. Trendle, was next to play Silver. This would be the same horse that Clayton Moore would do special appearances with. As far as later Lone Ranger movies like The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and The Lone Ranger (2013), it is unknown at this time which horses were used as Silver.

White Cloud lived out its life at the Ace Hudkins stables. Passing in 1959 at the age of 21 or 22. Burial at Hutchins Brothers Ranch Burial Site: 14612172, North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Hi-Yo Silver lived out its life at the Wayne Burson Ranch. Passing in 1976 at the age of 29. Traveler became the USC Trojan mascot at football games. Unknown where and when he passed.

It should be noted that western actor Buck Jones rode a white horse named Silver and claimed he originated the yell "Hi-Yo Silver" in his western movies way before the Lone Ranger existed. Even had a movie titled The Lone Rider. Jones sued about all this, but lost the case.