Breeds Of The Big Screen

How breeding, movement, and temperament shape the horses we see in Hollywoods movies and TV shows.

By Debbie Elliot

The biggest stars in equestrian sport will head to Los Angeles in summer 2028 for the Olympic Games. Long before that, horses played a pivotal role in the City of Angels, shaping its early development and becoming instrumental in the rise of Hollywood filmmaking.

It is not just Quarter Horses appearing in westerns who have become equine movie stars. Breeds such as Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Friesians, Connemaras, Spanish Mustangs, Arabians and even a Chincoteague Pony have all appeared on the big screen and become part of Hollywood history.

“Horses have always had a big part in the film industry,” said John Scott, a wrangler, horse trainer and stunt performer who has worked on blockbuster and Oscar winning films since 1969. “It goes back to the silent film days when Tom Mix was riding a horse called Tony the Wonder Horse. Back then, the actor was billed with his horse, such as Gene Autry and Champion; Roy Rogers and Trigger; Hopalong Cassidy and Topper; and the Lone Ranger and Silver. The horses were the heroes and they were a great attraction to kids.”

One of the first horses in movies was a Morgan stallion named Rex — also known as The Wonder Horse or The Devil Horse, as he sometimes attacked the actors, according to Roberta Smoodin, author of the book “Horses of Hollywood.”

Rex began his career in a 1924 silent Western titled “The King of Wild Horses,” then transitioned to sound films in the ‘20s and ‘30s. Smoodin said the key to Rex’s acting success was his sentience as viewers could see what he was thinking.

“In many ways, Rex was the ultimate silent-film actor, who emoted more believability and subtly than the great est human silent-film actors,” she said.

Displaying sentience and expressing emotions is what really makes an equine actor stand out from the herd, according to Smoodin. These horses move the plot forward rather than acting as background props or simply vehicles for cowboys.

“A lot of the horses John Wayne rode in his films demonstrated kindness and concern for him, and did errands when needed,” she said.

"Horses have always had a big part in the film industry." - John Scott

One of Wayne’s most famous mounts, Duke — who was thought to be an Arabian-Quarter Horse — got top billing in some of his early films. “This horse was an organizer who could carry out life or death missions on his own. His sentience, not to mention his leadership ability, could not be questioned,”

Smoodin said. Smoodin believes that the key to a great horse on screen is their intelligence.

“With some horses, you look in their eyes and they understand every word you say,” she said. “That helps create a bond with the human actor.

The Right Horse For The Role

While any horse — no matter their bloodlines — can be trained to appear on film, there are some breeds that are more popular with filmmakers than others. Scott has an affinity to Quarter Horses due to their versatility and their ability to stand on set for long hours.

“If a horse is fidgeting around, then the actor blames it on the horse if he can’t get his lines right,” Scott explained.

He also regularly uses Quarter Horses crossed with draft types, such as Percherons or Belgian Drafts, as they are patient and sturdy.

Scott, whose resume includes classic films such as “Little Big Man,” “The Revenant,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Legends of the Fall,” and “Unforgiven,” finds the right horse to fit the director and the actor, while also consulting with the wardrobe department on what the star is wearing.

“Usually if you’ve got a bad guy, you put them on a black horse as he’s got a black outfit,” he said.

“The horses have got to have a good, soft eye and they’ve got to have a great attitude,” Scott said of his equine casting strategy. “There is so much for the horse to see on a movie set, such as smoke, gunfire and people walking beside them with anything from umbrellas to sheets of plywood. Only three out of 10 horses work for me to be a movie horse because they have to be able to handle the stress of that environment.”

Scott likes to work with older horses as they have more experience traveling, loading onto trailers and being moved to different places than young horses.

“You can’t have a horse who will get spooked, or kick and bite an actor or member of the crew,” he stressed.

The challenge is selecting a horse you have never seen before and understanding what they like and don’t like, Scott explained

“They will tell you with their ears, eyes and disposition, and if they settle into everything, then you have got a good foundation to go on with. If they get hyper and they don’t want to be there, the best thing to do is get them off the movie set.

“I find that if you prep the horse, let them see what’s going on and allow them to understand what you want them to do, they’ll work for you. The key is to make the horse as comfort able as you’d like to be yourself. Let them go through it at their own pace, as that takes the fear away and builds up confidence.”

While some movie stars have a lot of experience in the saddle, it is also important to select horses who will put non-equestrian actors at ease. Scott recalled working on “Night at the Museum” with Robin Williams, who played Theodore Roosevelt.

“He was very scared of horses and didn’t want to ride because his friend (and college roommate) Christopher Reeve had fallen off a horse while eventing and suffered a spinal cord injury, but I told him I had just the horse for him,” Scott said.

He put the comic actor on his number one horse, a chestnut Quarter Horse-Belgian Draft cross named Tonto, and by the end of the film, Williams loved the horse so much he wanted to buy him.

“I’d never sell that horse,” pledged Scott, who still has the 34-year-old favorite at his ranch.

Other stars are particular about what they ride on screen, with Clint Eastwood requesting a flea-bitten grey for films such as “Pale Rider.” Eastwood was also very fond of Andalusians, and the breed appeared in many of his iconic Westerns.

A new obstacle for trainers is drones on set, as the drone operators often want to fly them over the horses’ heads.

“We had to educate them on how to shoot with horses,” Scott said. “We told them, ‘If you come at him from the front, he’ll accept it, but if you come over his back and head, it’s going to spook him.’”

He also helps directors understand that when a horse has had enough, he’s had enough.

“Some directors will take 20 takes of a scene, and that will wear the horse out,” he said. “We always have a double for our cast horses, in case the horse is having an off day, or he comes off the trailer and he’s lame, so sometimes we have to switch horses out if the main horse is tired.”

No Animals Were Harmed

Aside from ensuring the horses are not overworked, the growth of natural horsemanship and American Humane Society regulations have prioritized horse welfare on film sets.

“Liberty horse trainers really excel at promoting our business in a safe way, making it easy on the horse, making the horse look good and doing terrific work,” Scott said. “People like to see a horse running free, rearing, or doing tricks like pawing the air.”

In the American Humane Society’s “Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media,” horses can be taught to fall or lay down from a stationary position, but not from a gallop, canter, trot, or forced trip, and rocks must be removed from cushioned fall sites. There are also strict regulations on safety issues, such as how close they can be to fire or motorized vehicles with cameras on them; the angle that a pistol can be fired from horseback to prevent powder flashes burning the horse’s eyes; and shoeing rules, especially when the horse is walking on asphalt or cement. In addition, there are in-depth welfare regulations that cover feed, water, shelter, rest, weight for pulling and riding, and saddle time.

"He's ready to go to work at all times and he loves his job."- Raelin Schenck

The American Humane Society’s “No Animals Were Harmed” program ensures the safety program ensures the safety and wellness of all animals on set. Their Certified Animal Safety Representatives start working with crews before filming begins by reviewing scripts, consulting during pre-production, inspecting filming locations, and monitoring sets. They are also on-set during filming to supervise production and ensure all guidelines are followed. The American Humane Society gives No Animals Were Harmed™ certifications to TV and film productions that meet their high standards of animal welfare.

From The Show Ring To The Film Set

Louisiana-based Connemara breeder and trainer Raelin Schenck’s life revolved around working at a hunter/jumper barn until one day someone suggested her Connemara stallion, Wildwych Wily Casanova (“Sly”), audition for a role in “NCIS: New Orleans.” Sly won the part, despite auditioning against a number of other white horses, and his acting career began.

Prior to appearing on the CBS crime drama, Sly was a show horse who had competed in everything from the 1.10m jumpers at rated shows to lead line with little kids. “He’s been all over the place, so walking onto a set was no big deal to him,” Schenck said. One of Schenck’s other Connemaras, Porker, had previously been taught to do tricks, and he and Sly were both cast in the 2020 film, “The Lovebirds,” also filmed in New Orleans.

As more calls for movies and TV shows came in and her ponies’ acting careers took off, Schenck decided to pivot her own career from hunter/jumper training to the entertainment industry. One of their biggest roles was in AMC’s “Interview With a Vampire” series, for which Sly shot scenes where he had to drive a cart through the French Quarter, then Porker would be swapped in for stunt work like rearing on command.

“Both of them had been going to horse shows for years, so they didn’t even blink an eye at all the movie props and sets,” Schenck said. “You want to put a gigantic light on top of their head? They don’t care! They’ve been there, done that. We’ve stood under tents in the pouring rain waiting to go into our classes at horse shows, so times like that were great preparation for life on a set.”

Schenck said the Connemaras’ crazy pony humor and attitude is a big advantage while filming, as they will quite happily shoot the same scene over and over if they are going to get a treat at the end. Their endless patience and good brains are also an asset when working with people who have limited horse experience. Ireland’s only native horse breed is known for its hardiness, adaptability, and gentle stamina, which makes them natural movie horses.

“Standing around for hours is something they had to learn,” Schenck explained. “We used Sly in the movie ‘Sinners,’ and while the horses don’t show up on-screen a whole lot in it, they shot extensive footage of him. We were on set all night long with Sly standing in front of a big wagon. He had his harness on, but we didn’t even hook him up to it because it wasn’t going anywhere. He never moved; he would literally stand there and go to sleep.”

Schenck ensures that Sly and Porker always have hay to eat and water in front of them, and take breaks when needed.

“It’s kind of like being at a horse show, but without all the other horses around,” she said. “Sly and Porker love going to new places. I don’t even think they understand there’s a difference between what they’re doing now and what they used to do. They probably like the movie business a little better as they get lots of attention and pets.”

Schenck makes sure she hacks the ponies in between takes to keep them active.

“We wander around the huge studios in the parking lots — and find craft services, which is where the treats are all the time! The crew started bringing granola bars and apples for the ponies, who relish the attention,” she said.

Along with driving and rearing on command, Schenck has taught her Connemaras several tricks of the trade, such as teaching them to go to a spot on the ground by starting out with the command “go to your bucket.” She then cut the bottom out of the bucket so they were directed to a flat disc, which she made smaller and smaller until the pony learned to go to any specific spot even without a marker there.

One challenging trick was teaching the Connemaras to walk through fake rain when it was dry on either side.

“It was just a small little area of rain and the horse has to stay walking in it,” Schenck explained. “Of course, they wanted to just take two steps to the right where it wasn’t raining anymore to stay dry.”

Despite some strange requests from directors, the ponies are embracing their new careers and enjoying stardom.

“I don’t think Sly wants to go back to horse showing,” Schenck concluded. “I think he wants to stay on set. He’s ready to go to work at all times and he loves his job.”

For more information on Connemaras, please visit the breed page

Iconic Film Horses and Their Breeds

The Black Stallion: Arabian

One of the most iconic horses on screen, The Black in the 1979 film, “The Black Stallion,” was portrayed by Arabian Cass Ole. The Texas-bred stallion had a seven-year career as a show horse before becoming a movie star, winning over 50 championships including National Champion in Arabian Western Pleasure in 1975. Cass Ole’s looks and temperament caught the attention of movie trainers Glenn Randall Sr. and his son, Corky, who brought him to their Newhall, Calif., ranch to train him for the role of a lifetime. His owners stipulated that he was not to be used for running or swimming scenes, so three equine stand-ins were used for those shots.

Breed Traits: Arabians’ suppleness, balance, athleticism, naturally high tail carriage, and superior endurance and stamina make them stand out in movies. They are highly adaptable horses and have no problem traveling long distances over extended periods of time. . For more information on Arabians, please visit the breed page.

The Mask of Zorro: Friesian

While Antonio Banderas’ horse Tornado in 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro” and the 2005 sequel “The Legend of Zorro” was supposed to be an Andalusian, he was in fact played by multiple Friesians. The breed’s natural jet-black color, impressive on-screen presence, and flowing manes and tails were among the reasons for the switch. Their calm and predictable behavior made them very trainable, while their dramatic eyes and expressive faces fit the comedic aspect of the films.

Breed Traits: Friesians are intelligent, elegant per formers who are willing to learn. They are unique as they are large and gentle in stature and are notably recognizable for their black coats, as this is the only color recognized in the breed. For more information on Friesians, please visit the breed page.

National Velvet :Thoroughbred

Many of us grew up watching Elizabeth Taylor play a horse-crazy girl determined to race in the Grand National in the 1944 classic, “National Velvet.” While The Pie in Enid Bagnold’s original novel was a mixed breed piebald (hence his name), he was changed to a chestnut Thoroughbred for the film adaptation. The Pie was portrayed by King Charles, a grandson of Man O’ War whom MGM studio purchased for the film and then gifted to Taylor once it wrapped. He went to live with the then-teenage actress at her family’s property in California and was her personal riding horse until his retirement.

Breed Traits: Thoroughbreds are renowned for their agility, speed, and stamina. They are well-rounded athletes with powerful hindquarters that make them highly successful in the racing world.

Mister Ed: American Saddlebred/Arabian

Undoubtedly the most recognizable horse on TV, Mister Ed was played by a palomino American Saddlebred/ Arabian gelding named Bamboo Harvester. The expressive “talking horse” was trained by Will Rogers’ protégé, Les Hilton, who reportedly taught him to move his lips on command by touching his hoof. Bamboo Harvester was famed for his big personality, which aligned with the wise-cracking Mister Ed, and was known to walk off set when he was done filming. Actor Alan Young, who played Wilbur Post in the CBS sitcom, described Bam boo Harvester as his “best-behaved” co-star.

Breed Traits: Saddlebreds are praised for their bravery, confidence, personality, willingness to work, intelligence, and versatility. They boast a picturesque shape and smooth gaits. For more information on American Saddlebreds, please visit the breed page.

The Roy Rogers Show: Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse

A dashing palomino stallion, Trigger became as famous as his rider, Roy Rogers, in the 1940s and ‘50s. Golden Cloud, who portrayed Trigger, was known for his intelligence and was taught over 100 tricks by Rogers. They included walking on his hind legs, rearing on command, unlatching gates, taking off gloves, playing dead or lying down for a nap under a blanket. However, according to trainer Glenn Randall Sr., Golden Cloud’s greatest achievement was that he was housebroken. The char acter of Trigger was featured in numerous films and TV shows, such as “The Roy Rogers Show,” “My Pal Trigger,” and “The Golden Stallion.” He is immortalized with his hoofprints on the sidewalk in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Breed Traits: Known for their compact build and speed over short distances, Quarter Horses are bred for work. Their strength, power, and quickness make them particularly effective for ranch work and cow herding.

Hidalgo: American Paint Horse

Based on the real-life story of Frank Hopkins and his Spanish Mustang, Hidalgo, this 2004 biopic stars actor Viggo Mortensen and a horse named Oscar. While Oscar played a Mustang, he was in fact an American Paint Horse, as the breed was deemed bombproof and quiet. In the film, Hopkins and Hidalgo embark on a 3,000-mile race across the Najid desert, competing against purebred Arabians. Oscar was trained in liberty movements for the shoot, such as learning to walk behind Mortensen without a lead rope, follow ear and hand cues for emotional expression, and lie down calmly. Screenwriter John Fusco bought Oscar after filming ended and jumped him in local shows before retiring him at his American Indian horse conservancy. Mortensen took home another horse from the shoot, RH Tecontender, who also played Hidalgo in the movie. He joined horses from “The Lord of the Rings” on Mortensen’s Idaho ranch.

Breed Traits: Similar to Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses are known for their strength, balance, and speed over short distances. They are intelligent, trainable, personable, and calm under pressure.

The Lord of the Rings: Andalusian

The Oscar-winning fantasy trilogy featured several stunning horses, one of which was Shadowfax, Gandalf the Grey’s mount. The striking white horse was a fictional breed called Mearas — known for exceptional speed and intelligence — in the films and books, but in real life he was played by two New Zealand-bred Andalusian stallions, Blanco and Domero. Known as the “Horse of Kings” for their noble and majestic appearance, the Andalusian was the perfect breed choice to portray Shadow fax, chief of the Mearas. While Gandalf appears to ride Shadowfax without tack in the films, Blanco and Domero wore nearly invisible rope reins, neck straps and a specially designed “sneaky saddle” that was hidden under Ian McKellen’s robes.

Breed Traits: Andalusians are admired for their strong arched necks; flowing manes; and long tails. Athletic, intelligent, precise, and graceful, they are historically known for being horses desired by kings, as they moved beautifully, but also had athleticism in battle. For more information on Andalusians, please visit the breed page.

Photos: Moviestore/Shutterstock, I B L/Shutterstock, Raelin Schenck, Leslie Potter/US Equestrian, and John Scott