Experts believe that horses were first domesticated by humans 5,500 years ago in Kazakhstan. At the time, they were kept for their milk and for riding. They changed the way that humans lived and almost certainly advanced the human species.
With the advent of horseback riding, people were able to travel farther to hunt and mine, and it improved their trade opportunities. We also used horses for transport and agriculture, and they featured heavily in warfare over the centuries. To this day, we still use horses for drafting work, transport, and pleasure and competition riding.
If you’re a horse person, you’ll enjoy watching these documentaries. Each covers different aspects of the species and our relationship with them.
The 10 Best Horse Documentaries
1. The Horse Whisperer
Watch It On: YouTube
“The Horse Whisperer” is a 5-minute documentary about Jean Francois Pignon. The French rider tells of his relationship with a white horse called Gazelle and how this relationship helped him develop a strong bond with other horses. Pignon now shares his horse-whispering skills with thousands of viewers every show.
2. The Path of the Horse
Watch It On: YouTube
This documentary is from Stormy May, a former horse trainer who travels the world to explore the relationship between humans and horses. May’s journeys are self-funded, and she sets off to rediscover the reasons for her love of horses, no doubt feeding viewers’ own love affairs with the magnificent animal.
3. Wild Horses of Montana
Watch It On: YouTube
This is a three-part documentary that made Cloud, the American Mustang, a well-known name in the world of U.S. horse lovers. YouTube has the second and third installments of the series, and these work well as standalone episodes, so you won’t miss the first episode.
4. In the Valley of Wild Horses
Watch It On: YouTube
This 2018 documentary is quite short at 23 minutes and looks at the Canadian community of Xeni Gwet’in, who travel 200 km via horse and cart to attend the William Lake Stampede. The Stampede is an annual rodeo event that includes a host of activities and takes place on Canada Day weekend every year.
5. North America’s Wild Horses
Watch It On: YouTube
“North America’s Wild Horses” is a documentary on American Mustangs. Filmmaker Jan Delaporte follows these wild horses as they are rounded up, captured, and domesticated. The documentary explores the many ways in which the Mustang has been integrated into our society and how they affect our lives.
6. 500 Miles
Watch It On: YouTube
“500 Miles” is about 16 U.S. veterans and 16 Mustangs that come together to give one another reasons to get up in the morning. At the end of the documentary, riders and horses make a journey of 500 miles to show how far they have come.
7. The Life of Wild Horses
Watch It On: YouTube
“The Life of Wild Horses” is an upsetting and somewhat harrowing documentary that looks at wild horses in the Australian wilderness. The film can be challenging to make it through to the end.
8. Horses by National Geographic
Watch It On: YouTube
This National Geographic film aims to cover everything about horses in the wild. In particular, it looks at the close relationship that humans and horses have had for the 5,000 years since we first domesticated them.
9. Nez Perces Horses
Watch It On: YouTube
The Nez Perces are a North American Indian people who primarily live around the Snake River. They first bred the Appaloosa horse, which has become one of the most popular and widely used breeds in the U.S. This short documentary takes a look at the Nez Perces and their relationship with the forerunner of the Appaloosa horse.
10. How to Make a Horse a Friend
Watch It On: YouTube
Horses have nearly 17 different facial expressions and can recognize human expressions. This documentary looks at Jimmy Anderson and how he uses these and other essential horse facts to help form strong and almost unbreakable bonds with his rides.
Horse Documentaries: Final Thoughts
Horse documentaries are a great way to get to know more about horses, our relationship with them, and more specific information. Whether you want to learn more about horses or you simply enjoy watching anything to do with them, the films on this list are ideal for starting your journey.
You might also like:
- 11 Unique and Unusual Horse Breeds (With Pictures)
- How Far Can a Horse Travel in a Day?
- Cremello Horse: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
