Top 5 Best Independent Horse Movies to Watch

Top 5 Best Independent Horse Movies to Watch

Oladapo Bamidele (April 23, 2024) —

We present the top 5 best indie horse movies in Dark Horse (2015), The Rider (2017), Lean on Pete (2017), The Mustang (2019) and The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017). The world of cinema is often cruel for newcomers and independent movie creators just because big blockbuster movies often steal the action. However, if you are someone looking for unique films that often offer refreshing perspectives, you should watch some Indie movies.

From my experience, Indie movies often have a deeper story, much more meaning, and incredible character building. Yes, they might not have the same budget as Blockbuster movies so you cannot expect shocking visuals, but the stories are great!

Speaking of stories, I’d suggest you look into the horse genre in Indie movies, especially for ones that want that true emotional touch.

Indie movies often capture the hearts of fans due to their raw emotion, compelling storytelling, and deep connection to the equestrian world. And let’s be honest, this is something that is missing in the world of Blockbuster movies.

So, if you like horse racing, or just horses in general and their connection to humans, here are some of the best horse Indie movies that should be on your watchlist.

1. “Dark Horse” (2015)
The first of the top 5 best indie horse movies is Dark Horse (2015). If you are a true fan of Horse Racing, this is the perfect movie for you. Dark Horse is an Indie movie inspired by “Dream Alliance”. Most people that are interested in Thoroughbred horse racing already know this name.

Dream Alliance isn’t a horse that has won many big races like the Kentucky Derby. However, it was a horse with a fighting spirit. Dream Alliance started racing in 2004 and it took this horse 2 years to win its first race. But just as things started to move up, and Dream Alliance got a couple of first places, he sliced a tendon on the course, just before his biggest race, – The Grand National.

Many people thought that this was the end of his career, however Dream Alliance got back! After the owner spent most of the horse’s winnings on surgery and 15 months of rehabilitation, he re-entered racing in 2009 and won the Welsh National by three-quarters of a length.

Well, Dark Horse is a similar movie, that doesn’t cover the same story as Dream Alliance, but it is inspired by it. It is about a working-class individual who came together to breed and train a horse, challenging the elite world of horse racing. Bear in mind that they don’t know much about the horse racing industry or any of the different types of horse betting.

But they are eager to learn and go against all odds to become champions.

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• Directed by: Louise Osmond
• Release Year: 2015
• Awards: Sundance Film Festival – World Cinema Documentary Audience Award

2. “The Rider” (2017)
The second of the top 5 best indie horse movies is The Rider (2017). This movie isn’t about horse racing, but still, there is plenty of horse action. It follows the story of a young cowboy named Brady Blackburn, who faces the harsh reality after a near-fatal rodeo accident.

The movie is shot in a documentary-like style, and it shows the true horse-human connection and its therapeutic abilities when it comes to injury like this. 

It is the perfect portrayal of the horse-human bond in the heart of the American West.

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• Directed by: Chloé Zhao
• Release Year: 2017
• Awards: Cannes Film Festival – Art Cinema Award

3. “Lean on Pete” (2017)
The third of the top 5 best indie horse movies is Dark Horse (2017). This is another racehorse story! It’s a movie that covers the passion of a teenage boy in the world of horse racing. Particularly, one failing horse named Lean on Pete. Charly (the boy) finds the horse that nobody wants and starts to look for his new home. 

This is another movie that is centered around human-horse relationships and paints a perfect picture of the harsh world we live in today.

It highlights the importance of resilience, friendship, and belief. It is truly an emotional movie, where you’ll most likely drop a tear. It’s a movie that is based on Willy Vlautin’s novel, and definitely worth the watch.

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• Directed by: Andrew Haigh
• Release Year: 2017
• Awards: Venice Film Festival – Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Act

4. “The Mustang” (2019)
In “The Mustang,” filmmaker Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre immerses audiences in the life of Roman Coleman, a hardened prisoner who undergoes training with wild mustangs as a kind of rehabilitation before finding forgiveness. 

Roman faces his own inner problems and finds a renewed sense of purpose and connection via working with horses. The film eloquently conveys the therapeutic relationship between humans and horses as well as the transformational potential of equine therapy.

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• Directed by: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
• Release Year: 2019
• Awards: Sundance Film Festival – U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Excellence in Filmmaking

5. “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” (2017)
“The Ballad of Lefty Brown” is a Western drama that follows the journey of Lefty Brown, a loyal sidekick to a legendary lawman. When his friend is killed, Lefty sets out on a quest for justice, accompanied by his trusty horse. 

The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of the Old West. With a strong performance by Bill Pullman as Lefty Brown, this indie gem offers a compelling narrative and a heartfelt tribute to the bond between a cowboy and his horse.

• Directed by: Jared Moshe
• Release Year: 2017
• Awards: Nominated for Best Narrative Feature at the Gotham Independent Film Awards

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