McGraw was anxious to try new things, especially when it came to roping. To that end, the wranglers set up a dummy they pulled behind an all terrain vehicle for McGraw to chase and rope – on horseback. “I loved it,” enthuses McGraw. “I haven’t done any roping since I was a kid, and I could have practiced it all day long.” From a practical point of view, it also helped improve his riding skills. Notes head wrangler Hendrickson: “Roping gives you a specific goal and takes away some of the mental focus that can inhibit the actual riding.”

Strained backs and sore behinds aside, the actors all developed a great love and respect for the majestic animals. Says Tim McGraw: “When you’re around them, you are in awe of their power, their sensitivity, and just how athletic they are. It’s impossible not to form an incredible bond with them.”

“I think horses are the prototype for what is beautiful and free,” adds Alison Lohman. “When you are riding one, the connection is just so visceral and amazing.”

The horses needed training, too. Hendrickson worked with ten other wranglers, thirty head of ranch horses, ten additional cast horses, plus six different “Flickas” to prepare the animals for filming. According to Hendrickson, one of the hardest “movie tricks” to teach a horse is to hit their marks, especially without a rider. “It takes a lot of practice. You literally have to put their mark out on the ground and lead them to it over and over, until they finally get it,” he says. “Once they do, they’ll hit that mark each time – at liberty, of course.”

The wranglers were also involved in choosing the various horses that would alternate in the title role. They met with the filmmakers and, after agreeing on the exact color and description of Flicka, created a team of Flicka’s. “Before prep we didn’t know which horse would be good at what, but we knew all of the things we were going to try and attempt with them,” relates Hendrickson. “You just hope the horse that ultimately looks best in close-up is also as skilled and athletic as the others, and in this case, it worked out.”

Thanks to the extensive preparation, the actors and the horses worked together in perfect concert. There were, however, a few surprises along the way, including how “ready for their close-ups” the horses could actually be. Recalls Danny Pino, who plays Jack: “The horses we had on set were seasoned veterans. They’d be calm and very cool; then they’d hear ‘rolling’ and their ears would kinda prick up. Then they’d hear ‘speed’ and they’d start to get a little antsy. By the time Michael would yell ‘action,’ they’d be looking for their mark.

Adds director Mayer: “I eventually started to say ‘go’ around the horses instead of ‘action.’ And very quietly at that.”

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