Quarter Horse: Gunsmoke (June 1, 1958)

“Quarter Horse” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast June 1, 1958. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dillon becomes involved when old Mr. Thatcher stakes his entire ranch on a race between his quarter horse and Ed Butler's horse. Thatcher has grown tired of Butler's taunts about horseflesh and believes his special quarter horse can beat anything, but the Marshal discovers that Butler is running a thoroughbred racehorse against Thatcher's quarter horse in a 400-yard match.

Dodge City and the surrounding territory in Kansas, including the Long Branch Saloon and a race course across the river.

Characters: Matt Dillon, Mr. Thatcher, Ed Butler, Chester, Doc Adams, Mr. Hightower

Listen for: A high-stakes horse race where an old rancher risks everything on his quarter horse against a competitor's thoroughbred, with the entire town gathering to watch.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.