Fury (2014)

In the opening scene where we see a white horse walking through a war torn area, the trainer led the horse to a start position. He was released on action and he trotted & cantered past the tank and was caught on the other end of the set by another trainer. The area was cleared of any debris so horse could walk freely and safely.

In the subsequent scene where we see the same horse being ridden by a German soldier and Brad Pitt suddenly jumps off his tank, knocking the soldier off the horse, then killing, him, trainers were off-camera the whole time. Prior to filming, the trainer rode the horse through the area to make sure it was clear of debris. The barbwire in the background was made of rubber. As the horse walks by the stunt man launched off the tank, taking the rider off the horse and onto a crash mat. They were experienced stuntmen and knew how to jump another person off the horse without the horse being touched.

After Brad Pitt kills the soldier, he approaches the horse, removes the bridle and saddle, then lightly smacks him on the rump, sending him running through the war torn area. This scene was accomplished in various stages. First, the horse was led along the route by the trainer several times and fed at the end of the scene each time. Another trainer stood outside of the shot at the far end of the set with feed to lure horse once he was loose. A third trainer hid halfway along the route to send the horse in the right direction. During the stabbing action the horse stood on his own with the trainer just out of shot.  The actor and the trainer both made clucking noises once the horse was free and the trainer waved a whip to encourage the horse to walk towards him.  The other trainer with feed whistled and rattled the feed bucket to call the horse to him. 

In the scene where the tank passes by a group of peasants, one of whom is driving a horse drawn cart that holds barrels, the barrels were empty. The horses were accustomed to the sounds and movements of the tanks and planes.
In the scene where the line of infantry pass through a field where villagers are walking and we see a peasant pulling a cow by a rope, the peasant is actually a trainer in costume. The cow was given food and water between takes.
In the scene where we see an infantry camp where our main characters stop for rest and we see a goat tied to a post and several chickens, the animals’ trainer was dressed in costume. The animals were given feed, shelter and water between takes.

In the scene where we see a soldier riding a horse in the German town they invaded, the cast was prepped by production to stand outside of the horse’s path. Trainers were off-camera the whole time.

In the scene where the Nazi army marches down a dirt road and we see a couple soldiers on horseback, production constructed a walkway where everything was cleared of debris or wires.

Production provided documentation for the fake dead horses.