How do Horses Fall Down in Old Cowboy Movies and not get Hurt?
I always wondered.
Many of you who know me or my writing, know I am a big aficionado of old cowboy movies. And everybody rides horses and there is a lot of shooting going on.
Sometimes, a cowboy or Indian would get shot, and lots of times, the horses would fall over too. I always wondered how the horses did OK, because horses don’t do well with leg or hoof problems.
I knew they were kept safe
I knew they were kept safe, but still, I wondered how.
In cowboy movies, I found that horses falling over scenes are usually performed using trained horses and carefully choreographed stunts, known as “horse falls.” These stunts are done under controlled conditions, with the safety of the animals being a top priority. The horses are trained extensively to perform the stunt, which usually involves the horse being given a cue to fall to the ground on its side.
A soft, padded surface
Typically, the horse is trained to fall on a soft, padded surface to minimize the risk of injury. Sometimes, the horse’s legs are also padded to further reduce the risk of injury. A team of professionals, including a stunt coordinator, animal trainer, and veterinarian, are usually present on the set to ensure the safety of both the horses and the actors/riders.
It’s important to note that while the “horse falls” in movies are always done safely and without injury to the animal, there have been instances of animal cruelty and mistreatment in the film industry in the past.
Strict guidelines, laws, and regulations
Today, there are strict guidelines, laws, and regulations in place to ensure the ethical treatment of animals in film and television productions.
Thanks for reading!
Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER|HUMORIST, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, Tn.