Horses are a constant fixture in storytelling. From great myths, to the Bible, to modern-day fantasy, they are constant elements of epic storytelling, appreciated for their power, their mystique, their grandeur.
In this context, it should be no surprise at all that they've also featured heavily in animation. In fact, horses were the subject of the very first motion picture. Today, they continue to captivate audiences through contributions to both action sequences and comedic relief.
It’s easy for adults to think of horses only in the very limited capacity in which we interact with them. Pretty to look at. Perhaps fun to ride on a vacation. Possibly a source of entertainment, or even monetary gain.
Placing wagers on horses is a fun way to engage with equines as an adult, and Breeders’ Cup betting tips can be a useful way to do so safely. That said, there is something special about the way animators capture the elegance of these animals while simultaneously making an appeal to the inner child in all of us.
In this article, we provide a sweeping overview of how they have influenced creatives all over the world.
The Birth of Motion Pictures
The first motion picture was not an animated Disney sequence. However, early videographers were enormously influenced by equine movement. Studies in horses helped pave the way for every animated feature ever to come. This began in the 1870s with the efforts of a man by the name of Eadweard Muybridge.
Muybridge was hired by California railroad tycoon Leland Stanford to settle a debate about whether all four of a horse's hooves are simultaneously off the ground during its gallop.
Using an ingenious system of 12-24 trip-wire cameras positioned along a racetrack, Muybridge captured sequential photographs of horses in motion that revealed movements invisible to the human eye.
He then invented the zoopraxiscope, a hand-cranked device that allowed these sequential images to be viewed in rapid succession, creating the illusion of motion and serving as a precursor to cinema.
This work very directly influenced the efforts of some of the world's first and greatest filmmakers, including Disney animators.
Animation in the 1930s
Some of the first and most famous animation efforts took place in the 1930s in a then-emerging studio known as Disney.
During this period, notable films like Snow White and Fantasia were first produced. Not only were they groundbreaking in any filmmaking context, but they also included some of the very first depictions of animated horses.
During these initial animation efforts, the ability to bring horses to life was considered a benchmark skill for animators because their proportions and anatomy were so challenging. In fact, capturing the beauty and elegance of equine motion continues to be a proving ground for animators.
Today, the quality of video game animation is often measured by its ability to accurately bring horses to life.
The Horse as a Character
In the 1950s, horses featured not only as utilitarian creatures, but also as sources of minor comedy in Western animation.
In The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, for example, there was Cyril Proudbottom, the expressive, humorous mount reserved as a source of comedic relief throughout the film. In Sleeping Beauty, there was Samson, another personality-driven, expressive horse.
Nearing the turn of the century, equines began to develop almost dog-like personalities. For example, Maximus in Tangled.
The purpose of horses in modern animation remains multifaceted. On the one hand, they're included practically as a mode of transportation.
On the other hand, they're there to further root the audience in the story. Children and, indeed, adults respond strongly to animals, and Western animators have doubled down on this by personifying equine mounts with subtle personality traits and even facial expressions that produce a more emotionally driven response in the audience.
Horses in Anime
In Eastern animation, horses still play a pivotal role in many stories. They're seen frequently as utilitarian mounts in shows like Attack on Titan or Berserk.
Even in Studio Ghibli, where horses in movies like Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle are shown simultaneously as fantastical and, at least compared to the more expressive Western counterparts, simplified.
Japanese animators still put great detail into creating compelling mounts, but they often focus less on personification and more on practical function.
Horses as a Bridge
Across cultures, horses frequently serve as a sort of bridge between the practical and fantastical. Animators all over the world continue to be captivated by their natural grace, their impressive beauty, and their almost unfathomable power.
Yet through small quirks—the odd facial expression, the humorous personality trait—animated equines become more than just mounts. They captivate audiences and root viewers into the story. Yes, the way that they are depicted has changed gradually over the years, but the importance of horses in animation remains the same.
