If you're watching the new season of
Falling Skies on FOX you'll have seen that there are a bunch of new starring characters: horses ...
Season 3 started on FOX last week Monday (2 September) and one of the big changes to the season is that the 2nd Mass now use horses as a mode of transport - which, logically, they should have done from Season 1 already!
Still, at least they're on the scene now because they're super actors. I recently caught up with Noah Wyle (a.k.a Tom Mason) and asked him about his horse in particular. Does he use the same horse in every episode?
He does. His name's Booger and he's a Tennessee Walker. I don't know anything about types of horses so I've researched and discovered that Tennessee Walker's are often used in TV and movies because of how showy they are, ha!
This from wiki about them:
Tennessee Walker is a breed of gaited horse known for its unique four-beat "running walk" and flashy movement. The Tennessee Walking Horse is often seen in the show ring, but also popular as a pleasure and trail riding horse using both English and Western equipment. Tennessee Walkers are also seen in movies, television shows and other performances.
Noah told me that he used to own a Tennessee Walker of his own in real life and loves them. From the sounds of it he's been very 'horsey' in his life - obviously why he's so at ease with Booger.
Chatting to Noah about him has made me look at Booger as a full-on actor - very funny because he really does get into character. The way he walks with such a sense of 2nd Mass purpose, the way he listens in on conversations waiting for his cue, how he looks as if he's just been preened by the make-up department - it's all top class. It's the same with the other horses too. They're all very 'Method'.
Keep a close eye on them and you'll see what I mean.
Noah and Booger in a deep acting moment.