Flicka, What Happened Behind the Scenes?

A new release "Flicka" is causing a stir among some horse and animal lovers. It is a remake of an old movie, and proves to be a tearjerker, but what really went on behind the scenes might make you madder than anything.

Two horses that were used in the movie have died. One horse broke its leg, as it was running and had stepped onto its lead rope and had to be euthanized. The other horse fell, after running out of pure fear, and was kicked in the head. The horse had spasms and died on it's own.

There is a scene in the movie about a rodeo event called "Wild Horse Race," which created chaos and fear amongst the horses. The horses were terrified and running. These were domestic horses that were used to people and not "wild" horses as the movie depicts.

Other reports from bystanders indicate that they witnessed horses being punched and struck making them perform. People that had reported this abuse were subsequently fired from their jobs.

The American Humane Association has investigated the incident, as well as the Los Angeles City Animal Services, and have both reported that the accidents were unavoidable, however the AHA will not release the statement on the movie credits that state, "No animals were harmed in the making of this movie."

I know as much as the next person that accidents can, and will, happen, however could this have been prevented? Horses are only animals, and if they are not understanding of what's being expected of them, does that give people the right to abuse them? Horses are prey animals so if afraid, they will flee- obviously the horses involved in this movie were afraid, and the producers didn't seem to be too interested in that fact.

Movies have come a long way, with less and less animal abuse now than before. But sometimes there are those that can slip through the cracks. Again, accidents happen, and it's sad to report that this time they did. It is going to be my personal choice to not see this movie, knowing what happened. I honestly don't know what could have been done to prevent or change the situation that the horses were put in. I could be right, and most likely I'm wrong - but as an animal lover knowing now what happened, I don't think I could see the movie in the same light.