HIDALGO

I have watched Hidalgo about four times so far, and each time I see something new.

This is the story of a man [part native American Indian bred] who, together with his comically characterful mustang [Hidalgo] takes part in some of the toughest endurance rides in the world. He is asked to compete in a 3000 mile horse race across the Arabian desert and, against his better judgment, he goes for it.

The story unfolds against much prejudice towards the man and his mustang. Competing against some of the finest Arabian horses in the world, there is much to prove. No one believes he can do it.

What I love about this film is that it is based on a true story

This is a heart warming 'feel good' film which I would recommend to anyone who loves horses

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SEABISCUIT

Another of my favourites. This is the story of a misfit horse and a misfit boy. Both have a tough start in life, and are relegated to the scrap heap. But woven into the story is a rich man - striving to find hope and inspiration in his life again - and his trainer. The trainer sees something in the horse, and the rich man sees something in the boy. Putting them together releases an energy that takes the world by storm

It is a tale of overcoming shortcomings, and of always believing in our instinct. Its a definite feel good film, great for those rainy afternoons when we don't fancy tacking up!

What I love about this film is that it is based on a true story.

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THE HORSE WHISPERER

Yeah I know! But it really is a good film! Based on the life of horse whisperer Buck Brannaman {See book section}, the films covers both the human and the equine relationships. Featuring the story of a scarred horse and his young owner, it follows the journey to recovery with the help of a master horseman.

I always enjoy this film and hope that you will to.

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Kentucky horse trainer watches in horror as a championship filly breaks its leg during a practice run. Ordinarily that means curtains, but today Ben's daughter, is at the track, and Ben impulsively buys the horse and loses his job in one fell swoop.

The rehabilitation process is almost too much for a farm that's already struggling to survive in a modern economy, but the horse turns out to be a much-needed salve to the nearly broken family, including Ben's wife Surely the ultimate fate of the horse and the family won't surprise anyone, but young girls who love horses often don't need a surprise ending.

Ben Crane was once a great horseman whose gifts as a trainer are now being wasted on making other men’s fortunes. Sonador ‘called Sonya’ was a great horse whose promising future on the racetrack is suddenly cut short by a career-ending broken leg. Considered as good as dead to her owner, who also happens to be Ben’s boss, Sonya is given to Ben as severance pay, along with his walking papers. Now, it will take the unwavering faith and determination of Ben’s young daughter, Cale, to bring these two damaged souls together in a quest for a seemingly impossible goal: to win the breeders’ Cup Classic. However, the true miracle might be that, in helping this injured horse, what they are actually healing is their own family.