Horses have been described as the "aristocrat of animals," honored for their speed, strength, agility, and partnership with humans. Writer-director Niobe Thompson also hosts this PBS-aired two-part Nature documentary on the enduring connection between horses and humankind. Millions of years ago, the "dawn horse" was a small creature of the forest, seeking cover from early predators in the dense foliage. As it evolved in a cooling world, the horse developed a social mind, forming a community among others in the species. Horses also gained the legs of a runner, limbs serving as "big pistons," while breathing in a way that allowed for sustained running and using very little oxygen. At first, humans used horses as a food source, but eventually realized that horses could be a mode of transportation, expanding the range for hunting. In time, horses learned how to judge human emotions, establishing trust, and ultimately achieving safety. Along the way, Thompson shows how horses were celebrated in cave art, initially domesticated in central Asia, evolved into 400 breeds, were used in chariot warfare and agriculture, and are capable of surviving extreme environments—shedding heat in the desert and enduring the bitter cold of Siberia. Horses are able to return to the wild, but if properly fed, housed, cared for, and treated with kindness and consideration, horses are content to remain in partnership with humans while also living in their own hierarchical community. Combining abundant information with diverse visuals—ranging from horse racing tracks to island and wilderness environments—this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Equus: Story of the Horse
(2018) 110 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0939-6. Volume 34, Issue 4
Equus: Story of the Horse
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: