Investigations Indicate Movie Animal Accident Likely Result of Horse Instinct and Rider Unfamiliarity With Mount

Investigations Indicate Movie Animal Accident Likely Result of Horse Instinct and Rider Unfamiliarity With Mount

DENVER, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Two investigations into an accident that caused severe injury to -- and required the subsequent euthanasia of -- a horse used in the filming of the Lionsgate movie western "3:10 to Yuma" have been completed. The findings indicate that the accident likely was the result of two factors: a dual-training approach and instinctual responses for the horse, and the rider's newness to his particular mount.

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During filming on Oct. 23, 2006, a quarter horse ran into a camera-carrying vehicle, severely injuring itself and its rider, Deryle Lujan, a professional rider/stuntman. Lujan was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and the horse's injuries were severe enough to warrant euthanasia on the set. The accident occurred in Diablo Canyon, west of Santa Fe, N.M.

American Humane, which monitors the safety and welfare of animals on the sets of film and TV productions, ordered two investigations of this tragic and unfortunate incident. One was performed by Dr. Bill Torgerson, a veterinarian and vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane, along with Sgt. Ed Lish, humane officer and senior field operations officer for American Humane's Film & Television Unit. The other investigation was independently conducted by Dr. Larry L. Nolen, a Santa Fe-based veterinarian specializing in equine medicine. The investigations included extensive interviews with trainers, wranglers, riders, producers and others involved with the production, as well as reviewing film from the camera vehicle involved in the accident. Separately, at American Humane's request, a necropsy of the horse was performed by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Diagnostic Services laboratory in Albuquerque.

The investigative reports noted that the horse had been trained both as a part of a four-horse wagon/stagecoach team and as a solo riding horse. In the scene in which the accident happened, the horse was being used for solo riding. It is believed, however, that during filming, the horse's wagon-team instincts may have caused it to cross in front of the camera vehicle in order to stay with or follow its "wagon mate," another horse (also being ridden solo) that was veering to the other side of the camera vehicle. When not being ridden, that horse was the "lead" animal in the same wagon team in which the ill-fated horse was the "wheel" animal.

A second possible factor was that rider/stuntman Lujan -- although an accomplished and experienced rider -- was new to this particular horse that day. Although the horse had been rehearsed for the scene on at least two occasions just days before the accident, it was with a different rider. Lujan was assigned the horse the morning of the accident and was probably not fully familiar with the horse's handling capabilities or personality and instincts. Lujan's statement noted that he was unable to control or stop the horse during filming and that the horse became excited and uncontrollable after the filming run began. The horse's trainers, however, reported that the horse displayed no erratic behavior on the previous rehearsal runs or during the earlier training sessions. The two investigative reports also differed after a review of the surviving film footage and were, thus, inconclusive: one said Lujan did not appear to be dealing with an uncontrollable animal, while the other indicated that it appeared Lujan was having some difficulty controlling the animal.

Also, both reports noted, the stunt coordinator held a safety meeting prior to the run to review the action pattern, remind riders to not cross over and, if control problems developed, to turn away safely or stop the horse. Reports indicate that none of the riders indicated any problems or concerns.

American Humane will not suggest that charges be filed in this incident, given that appropriate guidelines and processes were followed, although an accident occurred on the set nonetheless. American Humane is reviewing its own guidelines for monitoring horse action in filmed entertainment and may initiate revisions dealing with horse training and/or rider familiarity with the animals to be used.

In American Humane's more than 65 years of oversight of the film and TV industry, countless animal injuries and deaths have been prevented by the organization's objective and professional presence on the set. As long as animals continue to be used in film and TV entertainment, American Humane will continue to monitor their treatment and ensure their well-being to the best of its abilities. American Humane does not oppose the use of animals -- when used safely and humanely -- in entertainment because they so contribute to the human experience and, therefore, will inevitably be a part of the stories filmmakers tell. American Humane celebrates the human-animal bond and, consequently, the depiction of that bond in filmed entertainment.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the oldest national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, the American Humane Association develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) End Credit Disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance and has been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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Source: American Humane Association

CONTACT: Randy Blauvelt of American Humane Association, +1-303-925-9442,
randyb@americanhumane.org

Web site: http://www.americanhumane.org/

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