Hollywood Horse Stories

A recent Hollywood rumor was that Tobey Maguire injured his back during the making of Sea Biscuit doing horseback riding scenes, making him unable to star in the sequel to Spider-Man. Although it turned out to be false, he rode a mechanical horse in the film, many actors have had close calls working with horses.

One example was Michael Caine, whose first movie Zulu (1964) required him to ride a horse after a hunting expedition, which after several embarrassing takes almost bought his career to a premature end. "I thought you said you had riding lessons!" said the angry director. "I did!" said the beleaguered star. "And the first thing I learned was I never wanted to ride one of these bloody things again!"

He wasn't the only one. Jack Nicholson took a hard fall in The Missouri Breaks (1976) which he shrugged off saying,"It would have hurt if I was a real person instead of a movie star."

Some performers get along famously with their horses, the relationship can go on for years. Gene Autry had Champion trained to jump through a ring of fire at rodeos, the stunt always worked perfectly until Champion aged and Gene had to replace him. Gene exhibited no concern when he was advised by trainers that the new Champion was not ready for prime time his first night on the job. "It'll be all right boys!" reassured the cowboy through swigs of tequila. The big moment came, the new horse rode out with Gene toward the burning ring and came to a dead stop, sending the famous cowboy star flying to complete the stunt on his own. The crowd gasped but luckily Gene was more drunk than hurt, he simply got up and took a bow like it was all planned.

Most stars won't take chances. David Niven bribed a trainer fifty dollars so he would get to ride a gentle nag while filming The Prisoner Of Zenda (1937). He brought his animal next to Raymond Massey's stallion, and both reluctant riders prepared for the director to call action. Suddenly Niven noticed a shadow above him, Massey's horse had risen on it's hind legs. Niven realized his nag was in heat and dived out the way as Massey's stallion came down on Niven's mare. He watched stunned as the helpless Massey bounced on top of what now looked like a giant rocking horse!