One of my favorite songs of the Old West is Old Paint, but I've alway been puzzled by some of the references. Here are the lyrics...

OLD PAINT

I ride an old paint,I lead an old Dan
I'm goin to Montan' for to throw the hoolian
They feed in the coulees, they water in the draw
Their tails are all matted, and their backs are all raw
Ride around, ya little dogies, ride around slow
For the Firey and Snuffy are rarin' to go

Old Bill Jones had a daughter and a son
One went to college, and the other went wrong
His wife she died in a pool-room fight
And still he keeps singing from morning to night
Ride around(repeat)

When I die, take my saddle from the wall
Lead me down to my pony, take him out of the stall
Put my bones on his back, point our faces to West
And we'll ride the Prairie that we love the best
Ride around(repeat)

Now, I would guess from the context that an "old Dan" is a mule. But what's a hoolian? And how about "the Firey and the Snuffy"?

Thanks in advance, LEJ