Cari Swanson

RJ and TJ on the set of Hidalgo in Morocco

After 5 years from its premiere, the Disney film “Hidalgo” remains popular among many horse lovers. Every week I receive emails from fans asking about the number of horses used in making this epic tale. Here are good friends, Viggo Mortensen (the human star) and Rex Peterson (the horse trainer) on TJ and RJ behind the scenes on the set in Morocco. You can see the make-up running off the horses faces. Each morning the 2 main cast horses had to sit for over an hour while the make-up crew painted them to look alike. Just another example of the magic of making movies.

Stop the Horse from Wringing his Tail

At a recent clinic, Rex Peterson introduced this Ancora to a Grand Prix dressage horse who wrings his tail in piaffe and passage.

This simple device known as the Ancora, will help your horse stop wringing his tail, thus putting all his energy into his work.  The bells on the bottom also teach him to not be afraid of anything behind him.  You must ride your horse with this for a minimum of 10 days so that he learns that every time he lifts his tail it cannot go anywhere, eventually he will not even try to swing it.  Trick ropers ride their trick horses in this for the first 2 years of training so that the ropes never get caught under the tails.  Horses trained for the movies all learn to ride with this as part of their desensitizing routine.

Westfield Whips

Westfield Whips have been designed with impeccable craftsmanship for over a century.  With perfect balance, action and flexibility, these whips never feel heavy in your hand.  All Westfield, whips are built on cores made to precise specifications to guarantee that they replicate the feel and performance standards of the original whalebone and rawhide whips which have never been surpassed in quality and feel.

“For me, the Westfield whips are the finest available in the world today.”-Bruce Davidson

Bruce is one of the finest and most accomplished equestrians of our time.  He is a two time Three-Day Event World Champion and a five-time Olympic veteran, holding two team gold and two team silver medals.  He is a two time World Champion, has won the Rolex Kentucky Three Day a record six times and is one of only two Americans to have won the Badminton Horse Trials.  He has been the US Combined Training Assoc.  “Rider of the Year” a record fourteen times.

“In my industry where every detail matters, I count on the handling precision of a Westfield whip to deliver a perfect performance.”-Rex Peterson

Rex has trained horses for film for over four decades, creating some of the most complex and exciting horse action sequences every filmed.  His credits include dozens of films including Black Beauty, Dreamer, Hidalgo, Runaway Bride, The Horse Whisperer and The Patriot.  His concern for the well being of horses has earned him the praise of humane organizations and animal advocates.

Westfield whips are well balanced, light in weight and of the highest quality.  I love these whips and so do my customers.”  –Olaf Nyby

Olaf Nyby of Norway is one of Europe’s top driving instructor and horse trainers.  His expertise includes pleasure and commercial driving and international competition in pairs; four-in-hand combined training and driving dressage disciplines.

The Westfield whip-dressage, straight lash (6 foot), Lunge line, and jumper bat are available at swansonpetersonproductions.com

Here Ryan uses his Tufflex Stock Whip (6 foot), and Diamond Weave Pro Lunge Whip from  Westfield  to cue Doc to perform many tricks and movements.The whips are an extention of his hands to guide his horse, who must never be afraid of the whips.

Ryan Peterson at Equine Affaire in Pomona,Ca

Ryan Peterson working his yellow horse in preparation for a demonstration with his father Rex in Pomona, California, thursday January 29th at 12:15 in the outdoor arena.  They will work with Doc, Ryan’s Palomino and Mr. T, one of Rex’s famous trick horses who has starred in many films including “Dreamer” and “Temple Grandin.”  This is an event not to missed as the father son team show us how to work these very talented Hollywood Horses.

Bugatti-9 year old Hannovarian gelding

Bugatti awaits his cue to act in the film “Taking Woodstock” directed by Ang Lee.  Bugatti was cast as a police horse who has to maneuver among hundreds of cars and motorcycles in a traffic jam of hippies in transit to the famous Woodstock concert in 1969.  It is a testament to the character and kindness of this horse that he calmly walked among the protesters, cars, hippies and camera crew on location at the set in East Chatham, New York.  It is even more amazing when you realize his pilot was an extra who could not ride at all, and was able to appear to be riding under my instruction.