Hollywood has had its fair share of animal actors, from classic to contemporary films. There have been talented animals with fins, furs, or feathers gracing the big screen and even becoming household names.

Roberta Smoodin’s Horses of Hollywood gives our equine friends their due. Though the Western genre may immediately come to mind–and for me, it’s Roy Rogers astride good ol’ Trigger–horses have appeared in films across a wide range of genres. Many films would not have existed without horses–think National Velvet, Black Beauty, and so many more. And there would certainly be no horse of a different color in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Moreover, horses have also appeared on numerous television shows, including one of the most obvious roles being Mister Ed.

Smoodin’s work takes readers through the stories of many equine film stars, not only discussing the horses themselves but also acknowledging the pivotal work of actors, trainers, and directors who helped these animals thrive on and off-screen. Smoodin is also forthright in telling the stories of when these animals were and were not being treated well, giving accurate portrayals of what it meant to be a working animal in Hollywood throughout various milestones in film history.

I highly recommend this book to fans of classic Hollywood, particularly those who are interested in the stories of the animals who were instrumental in classic films.

Horses of Hollywood is available for purchase via the University Press of Kentucky.