20 Must-Watch Movies About Horses   


 

“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.” – Pat Parelli (Renowned horse trainer)  

Horses are graceful and powerful majestic creatures that can be so much more than just a means of transportation. They become loyal companions, partners in adventure, and mirrors reflecting your emotions. It’s no surprise then that horses have inspired filmmakers for decades with moving stories that will leave you breathless. 

Horse movies transport us to different worlds, eras, and emotions. They make us laugh, cry, and cheer, reminding us of the deep connection that exists between humans and these magnificent creatures that ignite a sense of freedom and independence. Saddle up and get ready for a cinematic journey like no other. Here are 20 must-watch movies about horses. 

1. Lean on Pete (2017)  

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Lean on Pete is a coming-of-age drama film about Charley, a 15-year-old boy living in Portland, Oregon, who is working odd jobs to make ends meet. One day, he finds himself at a racetrack, where he meets Lean on Pete, an aging racehorse with a sad past. When he learns that Pete is headed for the slaughterhouse, Charley makes a desperate decision to escape with the horse and try to find a new life. 

The duo’s journey across the American West mirrors their shared struggle for survival, illuminating themes of isolation, endurance, and the enduring link between a boy and the horse. The movie focuses on their resilient bond. 

2. The Rider (2017)  

The Rider is a film about a rodeo rider who loses his ability to compete after a near-fatal accident that shatters his dreams. He finds solace in training young horses and helping his family on their ranch. He develops a special bond with a young horse named Apollo, seeing a reflection of his struggles in the animal’s wild spirit.  

As Brady works with Apollo, he learns to adapt to his new reality and rediscover his strength and purpose in life. The film is beautifully shot, capturing the vast landscapes of South Dakota where Brady lives. The use of non-actors adds a layer of authenticity to the story, making the characters and their struggles feel real.  

3. The Mustang (2019)  

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The Mustang is a powerful and moving story about a violent convict who finds redemption through working with wild horses. Roman Coleman enters a rehabilitation program centered on training wild mustangs. Through the arduous task of taming a rebellious horse, Roman confronts his inner turmoil, initiating a remarkable transformation. As the spirited Mustang mirrors Roman’s untamed spirit, their journey becomes a metaphor for his quest for redemption and healing. 

The film beautifully delves into themes of resilience and the power of second chances, illustrating how the reciprocal relationship between man and animal fosters empathy and personal growth. 

4. Palio (2015)  

Palio is a documentary film that tells the story of the annual Palio horse race in Siena, Italy. The film follows a group of jockeys, trainers, and enthusiasts as they prepare for the race, the cultural and historic Palio di Siena. They train for months, riding their horses every day, and the trainers are responsible for the horses’ care and preparation, feeding, grooming, and training them to run the race. 

The film has beautiful shots of Siena, the beautiful city in Tuscany, known for its medieval architecture, Piazza del Campo, and Palio horse race. The Palio is a centuries-old tradition that occurs twice a year, on July 2 and August 16. Twelve horses, each representing one of the city’s neighborhoods, race around the Piazza del Campo in a three-lap race. The winner is awarded a palio, or banner, and bragging rights for the next year. 

5. A Horse for Summer (2015)  

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A Horse for Summer is a faith-based film that tells the story of a troubled teenager named Alex who is sent to live with her grandfather on his horse farm for the summer. At first, Alex is resistant to her new surroundings. She doesn’t want to be on the farm, and she doesn’t want to have anything to do with horses. But as she spends more time with her grandfather and the horses, she starts to love it.  

She begins to learn about responsibility, hard work, and the importance of family. One of the horses on the farm is a young Appaloosa named Summer. Alex and Summer develop a special bond, and Summer becomes a source of comfort and strength for Alex. 

6. Dark Horse (2015) 

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Directed by Louise Osmond, this heartwarming documentary chronicles an extraordinary underdog story. It’s not just about breeding a racehorse; it’s a tale of hope and determination where a group of ordinary people from a Welsh village takes an improbable journey into the world of horse racing. Against all odds, their venture into breeding a champion racehorse defies expectations and brings a sense of unity and pride to their community. 

7. The Mustangs (2001) 

The Mustangs is a family movie that is based on a true story of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in Wyoming. The film focuses on a rancher who is determined to protect the wild mustangs from being rounded up by the government, so he enlists the help of a group of teenagers, including his daughter, to help him train the mustangs.   

These teenagers volunteer to help save the herd of wild mustangs, thereby learning about the importance of wild horses and the need to protect them from extinction. They also learn about responsibility, hard work, and the importance of teamwork. 

8. Wild Horse, Wild Ride (2011) 

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Wild Horse, Wild Ride is a documentary film that follows 100 amateur and professional horsemen as they compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge. This annual event, held in Fort Worth, Texas, challenges participants to tame a wild mustang in just 100 days. 

The film captures the excitement, challenges, and emotional journey of these participants as they work to build trust and connection with their assigned mustangs. We witness the struggles they face as they try to train and tame these wild animals, and we celebrate their triumphs as they build bonds and achieve remarkable results. The movie is not just about breaking a horse, but a testament to the human-animal connection and the dedication required to forge a bond between man and horse in a short time. 

9. The Greening of Whitney Brown (2011) 

The Greening of Whitney Brown is a family-friendly film about a spoiled teenage girl named Whitney who is forced to move from her comfortable life in Philadelphia to her grandparents’ farm in rural Vermont after her father loses his job.  

Initially, Whitney is miserable and resentful about her new surroundings. She misses her friends, her fashionable clothes, and the constant excitement of city life. However, as she spends more time on the farm, she begins to appreciate the simple things in life, such as the beauty of nature, the importance of hard work, and the value of family. 

Through her experiences on the farm, Whitney learns valuable lessons about responsibility, self-reliance, and compassion. She forms a close bond with her grandparents, who teach her the importance of family and tradition. 

10. Flicka (2006)  

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Flicka is a coming-of-age film that is based on a children’s novel titled My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara. The film tells the story of a headstrong teenage girl, Katy, who dreams of one day running her family’s ranch in Wyoming. Katy’s dad disagrees and sends her to a boarding school. Katy doesn’t give up her dreams and when she returns home, she finds a wild mustang running loose on the ranch.  

She names the horse Flicka and sets out to tame her. Flicka is a wild and unpredictable horse, but Katy earns her trust, and they develop a special bond.

11. Misty (1961) 

Misty is a horse movie that is based on an award-winning children’s book titled Misty of Chincoteague. It tells the story of two orphaned siblings, Paul and Maureen Beebe, who live with their grandparents on Chincoteague Island, a place known for its wild ponies. 

Paul and Maureen dream of owning a pony and plan on participating in the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and auction. They become captivated by a wild mare named Misty, who is known for her speed and spirit. Determined to win the horse, the siblings work tirelessly to earn enough money to bid on Misty at the auction. 

12. The Sad Horse (1959) 

Filmed on location at the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia, California, The Sad Horse is a drama movie about a lonely ten-year-old boy, Jackie, who is sent to spend the summer at his grandfather’s horse training ranch.  

The boy meets North Wind, a beautiful racehorse suffering from depression. North Wind had been a champion racehorse, but he was injured in a race and lost his will to live. Jackie is determined to help North Wind recover, and he forms a special bond with the horse. 

13. Hidalgo (2004)

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Hidalgo is an epic biographical film loosely based on the legend of the American long-distance rider Frank Hopkins and his Mustang Hidalgo. The duo competes in a challenging desert race in Arabia, after being approached by Sheikh Riyadh, a wealthy Arab who has heard about his legendary riding skills. 

The rider is reluctant to participate, but he eventually does, winning the prize money and showcasing the resilience, courage, and bond between man and horse. 

14. Black Beauty (1994) 

Black Beauty is a family drama film, told as an autobiography of the horse Black Beauty. This movie is unique because it is the horse narrating to the viewers, telling of the trials of its life experiences as he encounters various owners and situations. Black Beauty enjoys a happy childhood with his mother and other horses. However, his life is disrupted when he is sold to Squire Gordon, a kind and gentle master who treats his animals with respect. 

After Squire Gordon’s death, Black Beauty is sold to a series of different owners, each with their treatment of horses. He experiences both kindness and cruelty, joy and sadness, as he navigates the changing circumstances of his life.  

15. The Horse Whisperer (1998) 

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The Horse Whisperer is a drama film that artfully portrays the tale of Tom, a horse trainer, gifted with an extraordinary ability to understand and communicate with troubled horses. When a teenage girl, Grace, and her traumatized horse, Pilgrim, encounter severe emotional scars from a harrowing accident, they seek Tom’s aid. Through patient understanding and empathy, Tom navigates the tangled web of trauma, healing, and trust. Tom guides Grace and Pilgrim on a journey of understanding and healing.  

16. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) 

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an animated horse movie that tells the story of a wild Mustang stallion named Spirit who is captured and forced to work for the United States Cavalry. Even in captivity, this horse never loses his spirit of freedom and resilience as he navigates the American frontier. The film showcases the bond between horses and the natural world. 

17. War Horse (2011) 

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War Horse is a historical war film directed by Steven Spielberg and tells the story of a young horse named Joey who is sold into the British Army during World War I. Joey soon finds himself on the front lines of the war, pulling artillery and ambulances. He witnesses the horrors of war firsthand and experiences the pain of loss and separation. He is passed from owner to owner, each encountering their struggles and tragedies amidst the chaos and destruction. He carries out his duties with courage and loyalty, serving both the British and German soldiers who care for him. He becomes a symbol of hope and resilience amidst the brutality of war. 

18. Seabiscuit (2003) 

Seabiscuit is a biographical sports drama film that tells the true story of Seabiscuit, a small, undersized Thoroughbred racehorse who rose from obscurity to become a national champion during the Great Depression. He was a bleeder, suffering from a pulmonary condition that caused him to bleed during races.  

A quiet but experienced horseman who believed in the horse worked tirelessly to overcome Seabiscuit’s physical challenges and developed his natural talent. The horse begins to win races and inspires people to believe that anything is possible. 

19. Virginia’s Run (2002) 

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Virginia’s Run is a coming-of-age drama film about a teenage girl who is struggling to cope with the death of her mother in a horse-riding accident. She finds solace in nurturing the foal of her mother’s horse but faces challenges when it is about to be sold. She secretly enters the horse in a local race hoping to win enough money to buy him back. 

20. Running Free (1999) 

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Running Free is a family-friendly adventure film that tells the story of a young stable boy named Thomas who befriends a wild stallion named Lucky and helps him escape from captivity to live a free life in the wilderness. 


Those are the 20 must-watch movies about horses. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping action, a heartwarming tale of friendship, or a poignant exploration of the human-animal bond, there’s a horse movie out there waiting to touch your heart. 

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