Seventh Son (2014)

All horseback riders were stunt riders or experienced actors who were skilled at riding, mounting and dismounting. All running/galloping scenes were well choreographed, and actors used caution while on and near animals. The horse(s) rearing was a trained behavior. The horses were specially trained “falling horses” and “lay down horses” that fell on cue onto a soft landing area. When teams of horses pulled wagons or carriages, the drivers were experienced and teams of horses were familiar with each other and accustomed to the pulling action. Whenever horses were seen tied to posts/fences, they were attached to lead ropes tied to posts.

In the scene where the deer wanders in the woods and the actor throws a knife at it, the knife was fake and not thrown anywhere near the deer.

In the scene where we see pigs in the corral being fed by the actor and the actor drops the bucket near the pigs, the trainer used a whistle to have pigs move from one side of the pen to the other.

In the scene where we see chickens roaming about in the house and see a cow and a goat in the background outside, trainers kept the chickens in place by spreading seeds everywhere. The goats in the background were kept in a large shed to keep them warm.

In the scene where we see pigs in a corral in the town square, pigs were placed in pen by constructing fence panels from trainer from the set to pen. Pigs were then called by trainers to come to pen. The trainer in costume was placed outside the pen. Food and water bowls were placed in the pen and refilled regularly.

In the scene where we see actors on horseback riding through the forest at night, the lantern was made from non-flammable material.

In the scene where we see the knights on horseback ride into the queen’s castle, the castle is actually a sound stage, which is covered with 4 inches of sand and dirt so the horses will not slip.

When we see horses ride across the river and greet the actor, the water is very shallow, and the trainers led the horses across the expanse without any issues.

In the scene when the horses get spooked by the explosion and run off with reins attached, the riders were attached to cables on ratchets. The explosion was nowhere near the horses. Shot separately.

When we see the horse get attacked from above and fall on its side, the fall horse was experienced and prepped. Sand layer put down four inches deep over the ground.

In the scene where the man on horseback stands in the forest clearing and the man drags the body of Gregory in a net with the horse, the actor on the ground handed the rider the rope attached to the net. The rider turned the horse and started to drag the net with the stuntman in it. The rope from the net was attached to a second rope which was wound around the horn of the saddle. The path was cleared and locked off.  Mulch and wood chips were added to path to firm it up. The horse was prepped to pull the net.