Do the actors really ride horses in Yellowstone?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 08, 2026
“With Yellowstone, we ride, like, real horses who don't tend to sit still very much,” he says with a laugh. “I remember when I got the job and Taylor called me like six weeks out from actually shooting and he was like 'You need to go ride, like, every day.
Are any of the actors on Yellowstone real cowboys?
That's right, Sheridan employees real-life cowboys on the show. Actor Kevin Costner may just play a convincing cowboy as John Dutton. But “Yellowstone” also features real horse riders on the show.
Who owns the horses on Yellowstone TV show?
24. Creator Taylor Sheridan can actually be seen on the show as Travis Wheatly, a horse trader and one of John Dutton's acquaintances. In real life, Taylor owns horses and has competed in western horse riding competitions.
Do actors really ride horses?
Actors obviously have variable riding ability — Sam is insistent that all actors come to their yard for an assessment and gives further lessons if necessary — but the movie horses ridden by actors are always chosen based on the actor's ability and the demands of the scene.
Who was the best horse riding actor?
With that in mind, enjoy some heartwarming horse stories and quips from 25 of our favorites.
- Wes Studi (Actor) ...
- Robert Redford (Actor/Director) ...
- Wendie Malick (Actor) ...
- Thomas Haden Church (Actor and Rancher) ...
- Bill Pullman (Actor) ...
- Katherine Ross (Actor) ...
- Carolyn Hunt Olson (Cowgirl) ...
- William Devane (Actor)
Who was the best horsemen in Westerns?
Westerns expert James Denniston adds, “The Duke [in his early career], Wild Bill Elliott, Randolph Scott, Slim Pickens, Richard Boone and Jimmy Stewart all rode well. As big as he was, Andy Devine was a good rider.
Why is John Dutton buying horses?
He suggests the Yellowstone begin trading horses so that they can build a legacy.
Did Taylor Sheridan buys 6666 Ranch?
The historic 6666 Ranch -- a more than 142,000-acre west Texas property featured on Paramount drama "Yellowstone" -- has a new owner. The massive Guthrie-area ranch was purchased by a group led by Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan, according to Fort Worth Report.
What happened to the horse in Yellowstone?
Before season four rolled around, Jimmy - who was still recovering from a previous fall - was underprepared and flung from the back of a horse, leaving him with his life hanging in the balance. Season four opened to reveal Jimmy had survived the fall, although would need intense physical therapy to recover once again.
Does Kevin Costner know how do you ride a horse?
It's untouched land.” Costner's all-American persona is the real deal. He remains one of the few Hollywood actors who can ride a horse as though he was born to it – no stuntman required.
Is Jimmy in Yellowstone a real cowboy?
Veteran actor and “Yellowstone” star Jefferson White is not a cowboy by any stretch of the imagination but he does play one on TV. One of the primary jobs of being a cowboy is tending to cattle that reside on the ranch.
Is Lloyd on Yellowstone a real cowboy?
As it turns out, the actor behind the long-time Dutton employee, Forrie J. Smith, is a real-life cowboy with decades of experience under his large-buckled belt.
Is it the real metallic cat on Yellowstone?
A real horse with an impressive background, Metallic Cat's appearance as a Yellowstone guest star began way back in December 2019. Metallic Cat's owners won the rights to have the horse written into the popular series during a charity auction. All proceeds from the event go to NCHA Charities Foundation.
Do Beth and rip marry?
'Yellowstone' Season 4 Episode 10: Beth and Rip's marriage brings fans to tears. The Season 4 finale of 'Yellowstone' saw one of the happiest moments in the life of Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) when the love birds finally said 'I do'.
Does rip get killed in Yellowstone?
After Beth manages to convince Rip to stay in bed a little longer at 4:30 a.m., he makes his way out to where Roarke (Josh Holloway) fishes … and throws a snake at his face. It bites him, then slithers away. Roarke stumbles away, Rip following, until he collapses and dies.
Was the 6666 Ranch won in a poker game?
Middleton and Son. Legend has it that the ranch was won in a poker game with a hand of four 6s, but well, that's just a tall Texas tale. Samuel Burk Burnett, a Missouri native born in 1849, established the ranch after buying 100 cattle branded with 6666 and later purchasing properties near Guthrie.
Is 4 6's a real ranch?
While "Yellowstone" is set on a fictional ranch in Montana, the Four Sixes setting on the show is the real thing, an operating ranch near Guthrie, about four hours west of Dallas. The Four Sixes has had strong ties to Fort Worth for over a century.
Who owns the 666 ranch in Texas?
Photos: Historic West Texas 6666 Ranch Has a New Owner
“Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, who graduated from Fort Worth's Paschal High School, was rumored to have led the group that purchased the ranch.
What's the point of horse sliding?
The sliding stop is reining's signature maneuver. The horse runs at top speed down the length of the arena, and then on a loose rein, lowers his hindquarters to the dirt as his front feet pedal for another 10 to 20 feet until he completely stops, sending dirt spraying in his wake like a jet-skier.
Does reining hurt the horse?
The vets are now recognizing that reining horses have one of the highest incidents of breaking down next to race horses; and sadly the same fate. Dr. Grant Miller, DVM says “we have established that repetitive trauma on the joint from the athletic performance can cause degenerative changes to the cartilage and bones.
Why do they spin horses on Yellowstone?
“Spinning is a maneuver you see a lot of in the show,” Secora offers. “It is a flashier movement which is why they show it off. You want to see minimal traveling with the horse's back feet as they spin. As they add speed, which adds difficulty a little more movement is allowed.”
What Western actor was afraid of horses?
Clint Eastwood may be one of the greatest on-screen cowboys. He's known for his various westerns he made early in his career. But the actor also faced one unique issue when it came to filming with horses. Despite being on-screen partners, Eastwood was allergic to horses.
Who is the best cowboy actor ever?
The Magnificent 7 Western Actors of All Time
- John Wayne. John Wayne is America's quintessential cowboy. ...
- Gary Cooper. In his time, Gary Cooper was the ultimate Western hero. ...
- Clint Eastwood. The Man With No Name. ...
- Eli Wallach. ...
- Kevin Costner. ...
- Henry Fonda. ...
- Franco Nero.
Did Matt Dillon and Ben Cartwright ride the same horse?
62 What horse was ridden by Marshall Matt Dillon? The Buck of 'Gunsmoke' was in fact the very same Buck as was ridden by Ben Cartwright in 'Bonanza'. Lorne Greene actually bought Buck (whose real name was Dunny Waggoner) when the 'Gunsmoke' series ended.
What cutting horse was on Yellowstone?
Metallic Cat, a beautiful and legendary horse from the Rocking P Ranch, was part of a scene where Jimmy attends a cutting horse event.