War Horse is a 2011 war drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the 1982 children’s novel of the same name. The film follows the story of a horse named Joey and his young owner, Albert, as he is sold to the British cavalry at the onset of World War I. Throughout the movie, Joey is seen in a variety of settings and situations, and due to the film’s scope and length, multiple horses were required to bring Joey to life. So, how many horses played Joey in War Horse?
The Joey Team
War Horse was filmed in England and was one of the most expensive films made in the country at the time. To bring Joey to life, the filmmakers decided to use a team of horses. This team was made up of four lead horses and a number of supporting horses. Each of the four lead horses was trained to portray a different aspect of Joey’s character.
Lead Horses
The four lead horses that portrayed Joey in War Horse were named Tír na nÓg (“Land of Eternal Youth”), Taro, Badger, and Aces High. All four horses were Irish Draught crosses and were trained by the horse wranglers on the filming team.
- Tír na nÓg was the primary horse used to portray Joey in the film. He was used for the majority of the scenes and was trained by horse wrangler Rachel Green.
- Taro was used as the stunt horse, performing in the most physically demanding scenes such as falls, jumps, and gallops. He was trained by horse wrangler Seumas McNally.
- Badger was used for the more intimate scenes, such as close-ups and conversations, as he was the most docile of the four horses. He was trained by horse wrangler Mark Johnson.
- Aces High was used for the scenes involving Joey’s youth and energy, such as his playful gallops and leaps. He was trained by horse wrangler Joanne Gaskell.
Supporting Horses
In addition to the four lead horses, the War Horse team also had a number of supporting horses that were used for the scenes involving the British and German cavalry. These horses were trained by the horse wranglers on the team, and some of them were even used as doubles for the lead horses.
The Training Process
Training the four lead horses and the supporting horses took approximately two months, and the horse wranglers used a variety of techniques to help them prepare for the film. For example, the lead horses were trained to respond to verbal commands, as well as physical cues such as body language and facial expressions. They were also taught to perform specific movements and stunts, such as galloping, jumping, and rearing.
The Filming Process
The filming of War Horse took a total of six months, with the horses being used for a few days at a time. During filming, the horse wranglers worked closely with the director and the cinematographer to ensure that the horses were performing as required. The wranglers also monitored the horses to ensure their safety and to ensure that they were not overworked.
The Aftermath
At the end of filming, the horse wranglers worked closely with the Humane Society to ensure that the horses were well taken care of. All of the horses were examined by veterinarians and given the necessary medical attention. The horses were also given plenty of rest, exercise, and nutrition, and were given the opportunity to bond with their own trainers and handlers.
Conclusion
In total, War Horse employed a team of four lead horses and a number of supporting horses to bring Joey to life. This team was trained by the horse wranglers on the film team to ensure that they were able to perform the necessary stunts and movements. At the end of filming, the horses were examined by veterinarians and given the necessary medical attention to ensure their well-being.