Ep 17. Lightfoot

Victoria Barkley and her family own a large ranch in the San Joaquin Valley in California. The Big Valley follows the adventures of the Barkley family as they protect their land and deal with various challenges that come their way.

In season 4, episode 17, titled "Lightfoot", the Barkley family faces a new challenge in the form of a wild stallion that has been causing problems on their ranch. The stallion, named Lightfoot, has been wreaking havoc on the ranch, causing damage to fences, crops, and equipment. The local ranchers have been unable to catch or tame the horse, and some are starting to fear that Lightfoot will cause even more damage and harm.

Jarrod Barkley, the family's lawyer, decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to catch the horse himself. With the help of a young Mexican ranch hand named Miguel, Jarrod sets out to capture Lightfoot and bring him back to the Barkley ranch.

As Jarrod and Miguel track the horse through the hills and valleys of the San Joaquin Valley, they face a number of challenges and obstacles. Lightfoot is a powerful and agile animal, and he is able to outrun and outmaneuver the two men at every turn.

Meanwhile, back on the Barkley ranch, Victoria and her sons Nick and Heath are dealing with their own problems. Two of their ranch hands, Dave and Tom, have been causing trouble and are suspected of stealing from the ranch. Victoria decides to confront the men, but they deny any wrongdoing and turn the tables on her, accusing her of mistreating the Mexican ranch hands and favoring her own family.

As tensions rise between Victoria and the two men, Jarrod and Miguel finally manage to catch Lightfoot. But their victory is short-lived when they realize that the horse has been injured during the chase. The horse's leg is badly cut, and they must race against time to get the animal back to the Barkley ranch and give him the care he needs.

When Jarrod and Miguel return with Lightfoot, the Barkley family is initially skeptical of the horse and fear that he will cause even more trouble on their ranch. But as they see the animal's gentle nature and learn about his past, they begin to warm up to him and see him as an ally rather than a threat.

In the end, the Barkley family comes together to confront the issues that have been troubling them. They confront Dave and Tom, and the truth about their thefts finally comes to light. And with Lightfoot's help, they are able to mend fences with the local Mexican ranch hands and forge a stronger sense of community and cooperation.

Overall, "Lightfoot" is a compelling and engaging episode of The Big Valley that showcases the struggles and challenges faced by the Barkley family. The episode highlights the importance of trust, communication, and mutual respect in building strong communities and resolving conflicts.