Someone noted that Smiley Burnette did "Petticoat Junction" which is true but that showed had a spin-off.....the even more popular "Green Acres." Smiley did that one too (both shows as train engineman Charley Pratt). THere is a Gene Autry connection here because a co-star on Green Acres was Pat Buttram who played the ever "helpful" Mr. Haney.
I don't recall Pat Buttram's horse's name but let me clear something up.......Pat Buttram was an Autry sidekick.....Pat BRADY was Roy Roger's sidekick on the TV show. Roy was a founding member of the "Sons of the Pioneers" and Pat Brady (his real name) was a longtime bass player and singer in the group as well. Pat Brady's jeep was named Nellybelle which rumor has it was the name of the tank he drove with Patton's 3rd Army in WWII. Roy (Leonard Slye) and PAt were both from Ohio.
I find it continually amazing that any of us give a particular shit about this stuff............