What is the theme in Smokey the Cow Horse?

Any time you read a piece of writing (literature) you should ask yourself this question:

"What is this piece about?"  Then go with your gut and fill in the blank.

This piece is a (story/poem/essay/novel) about_____________. Love, isolation, greed, reality vs. illusion, good vs. evil, etc.

Whatever you fill in the blank with is one of the themes.  Most pieces have more than one, especially if it is well-developed and pays attention to detail.  Take Shakespeare, for instance.  His plays have 100's of themes all at once.

As long as you can point to examples from the beginning, middle, and end of the story to support the idea you've placed in the blank, you can be certain that your gut reaction is correct as a theme.

Good Luck!