A Leading Provider of Horses for Film and TV Production

For over 40 years we have been training and supplying professional film-trained horses and action riders, as well as training principle artists and their doubles for the television and film industry. We work across the UK and internationally, and our reputation for providing the most spectacular and disciplined riding, and for the highest levels of animal welfare, is second to none.

Our horses cover a wide range of skills, from specialist stunt horses and carriage driving horses, to warhorses and battle trained horses, to liberty horses and safe actor horses suitable for actors with minimal riding experience. We can also provide a wide range of tack and carriages to suit any era from the dark ages to modern day.

With a network of horsemasters and trainers across the UK we can supply and manage large numbers of fully trained horses and riders for any size of TV or film production, from a regional TV program to a Hollywood blockbuster.

Please view our credit list for details of productions we have worked on.

On-set horsemaster and animal welfare

We provide a fully managed service to our clients, taking care of everything from risk assessments and the health and safety of our crew, to advising production companies on budgeting, transport, logistics, stabling and welfare. On-set all animal welfare and stabling will come under our dedicated horsemaster and grooms, and horse unit safety crew.

Dolbadarn Film Horses carry full insurance for our horses and riders, provide in-house transport, are Equity Members, and and hold a performing animals licence.

A Brief History of Horses in Film & TV

Horses have a long and proud history in the movie industry. From the ‘Golden Age’ of cinema to today’s multi-million dollar blockbusters.

However, the training and the welfare of performing equines was often overlooked. Shockingly, in the 1920s production of Ben Hur more than 100 horses died, and there are many other instances of cruelty from the early days of cinema.

Attitudes to animal cruelty changed, driven in large part by public outcry, and specific training was introduced to make sure the welfare of performing animals was protected at all times.

An early pioneer of these training programmes was a cowboy and stunt man named Yakima Canutt. Working on some of John Wayne’s early Westerns he devised specific techniques to ensure the equine stars performed in a safe manner. Whether that was charging across the Wild West plains, or falling down safely on command; in turn being able to perform the same task time and again without injury.

Today’s film horse teams and stunt horse specialists train horses to an exceptionally high standard, and one where the physical and mental health of the horse is always of paramount importance. Ensuring horses are safe, happy and ready for any situation; be that looking after a principal artist while mounted, or a fully trained action horse charging into battle alongside 100 equine co-stars and their riders...

Film & TV Work Gallery