Len,
I think you can add Kansas to that list of states that had the most horses. After all, they possessed the vast majority of Missouri's fine mounts. It still amazes me that any resident living in western Missouri from 1852 through 1870, was able to eek out a living, working the soil or ranching. The exception being, if you were a staunch Union supporter. Being a retired law officer & not condoning outlawry, I can understand what drove some to that trade as there was very little that allowed a person to survive.