horse tv shows on netflix

Ever slumped on the sofa after a damp hack, wellies still on, thinkin’: “Right. I love horses. I live horses. But do the telly box *get* it?” Well, pull up a hay bale and settle in—‘cos yes, there *are* proper horse tv shows on netflix, and no, they’re not all just kids’ cartoons with sparkly manes and questionable physics. One name rings out like stable bells at dawn: Heartland. Yep—that’s the big’un. A Canadian gem—18 *seasons* deep (yes, *eighteen*—more episodes than there are ways to lose a grooming kit)—about a family-run equine rescue and rehab yard in the foothills of Alberta. Amy Fleming? She doesn’t just ride—she *listens*. And the horses? They’re not props. They’re *characters*. With backstories. And trauma. And frankly better hair than most of us. The show’s got grit, grace, and enough emotional gut-punches to make a seasoned farrier well up. And—plot twist—it *was* on Netflix. But hold that thought—we’ll get to the “why’d it vanish?” drama in a mo’.

Back in the day, yer options were: BBC Two on a Sunday afternoon (if the Open was on), or *Horse of the Year Show* reruns taped over yer mum’s *EastEnders*. These days? The digital stable’s *bursting*. Here’s where the real horse tv shows on netflix-adjacent action lives (yes, even when Netflix pulls a disappearing pony):

• Netflix—still hosts gems like *Free Rein* (a UK-made YA drama filmed in Dorset—ponies, teens, and seaside cliffs), and *Spirit Riding Free* (animated, but shockingly legit on equine movement).
• Amazon Prime—home to *The Rider* (2017 indie film, near-documentary realism), plus full seasons of *Horse & Country TV* (subscription add-on).
• YouTube—free gold: *World Equestrian Games* highlights, *Badminton Horse Trials* full cross-country rounds, and *The Grooms’ Room* (behind-the-scenes stable banter).
• My5 & ITVX—occasional repeats of *Horse Power*, that cheeky documentary series where celebs learn dressage… badly.

Pro tip: Netflix rotates its stable like a yard manager swaps turnout paddocks—so always check *JustWatch.com* (type “horse”) for real-time where-to-stream intel. Because life’s too short to click “Browse” for 20 minutes.

Ah, Free Rein—our homegrown hero. Set in a fictional coastal village that smells suspiciously like Lyme Regis, it follows Zoe, a London teen shipped off to stay with her estranged gran… only to discover a wild beach, a rescued mustang-type called *Raven*, and a secretive riding club that *definitely* shouldn’t be jumping sea caves at midnight. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just “girl + horse = magic”. The show digs into horse tv shows on netflix territory rarely explored: *horse ownership* as responsibility, not romance. There’s vet bills (£450 for a colic scare—ouch), insurance forms, muddy paddocks in February, and the sheer *logistics* of lugging hay bales in a Vauxhall Corsa. Characters argue about turnout rotation, debate bitless bridles, and—glory be—*muck out* on-screen. It’s *The Archers* meets *Skippy*, but with better horsemanship.

Right—let’s address the hay-in-the-room. In late 2023, *Heartland* vanished from UK Netflix like a startled pony through an open gate. Cue mass outrage. Petitions. Tweets with #BringBackHeartland trending next to Brexit memes. So—why? Simple: **licensing rights**. Netflix doesn’t *own* the show—it *leases* it. And when CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp) signed a new deal with *Amazon Prime* and *UP Faith & Family* (a US faith-based streamer), Netflix’s lease expired. Poof. Gone. Think of it like a horse on loan: lovely while it’s here, but the owner can call it back anytime. That said—*Heartland*’s not *gone* gone. Seasons 1–15 are now on Amazon Prime Video (via the CBC channel add-on), and the newer ones air weekly on *UP*. Moral? Never put all yer oats in one streaming bucket.

Beyond the big names, Netflix’s catalogue has sneaky bangers—if ye know where to look. Remember *Spirit Riding Free*? Don’t roll yer eyes—it’s CGI, aye, but the gait animation was supervised by real wranglers, and the herd dynamics? Spot-on. Then there’s *Ride*, a Norwegian docu-series followin’ teen riders at a competitive boarding school—*Skam* with stirrups. And *Horse Girl*, starring Alison Brie? Not a “horse show” per se, but a haunting, surreal dive into obsession, identity, and *why that mare keeps lookin’ at me like she knows my postcode*. These aren’t filler—they’re proof that horse tv shows on netflix can be art, therapy, and escapism, all in one saddlebag.

Look—we’re greedy. We want more. Proper *more*. Here’s our dream stable of unmade (but desperately needed) horse tv shows on netflix:

Call it wishful thinkin’. Call it stable-bound delirium. But if Netflix’s algorithm knows we watch *Heartland* three times a week… surely it’s time they took a *gamble*.

Let’s be honest—some shows flatter to deceive. That scene in *Free Rein* where Zoe *canters bareback down a cliffside at sunset*? Gorgeous. Possible? Only if the horse is part mountain goat and the ground’s been CGI-cushioned. But other bits? Shockingly real. *Heartland*’s groundwork sequences—*join-up*, liberty work, desensitising—were choreographed by real natural horsemanship pros. And the vet episodes? Medically sound (down to the £1,200 ultrasound bill). We asked three actual yard managers to rate realism (1–10):
• Heartland: 8.5 (“They *muck out*. Actual muck.”)
• Free Rein: 7 (“Good horsemanship, iffy logistics—no one fits *that* many horses in a 4-horse lorry.”)
• Horse Girl: 9 (“Psychologically *brutal*—but the horse behaviour? Uncanny.”)

Bottom line: horse tv shows on netflix ain’t documentaries—but the best ones *respect* the craft. And that’s worth a subscription.

Here’s the quietly massive bit: for kids in cities, flats, or families who think “hacking” means Wi-Fi theft—horse tv shows on netflix are their *only* window into equestrian life. We’ve met teens in Peckham who started volunteering at urban stables *because* of *Free Rein*. Grown men in Glasgow who finally booked riding lessons after 17 seasons of *Heartland*. There’s data, too: the British Horse Society reported a **22% surge** in beginner enquiries post-*Free Rein* S1 drop (2017). These shows don’t just entertain—they *recruit*. They whisper: *“You don’t need to own a horse to belong. Just show up. Brush a tail. Listen.”* And in a sport often accused of being “exclusive”? That’s revolutionary.

Aye, even telly needs a game plan. Our yard-tested ritual:

1. Prep the snacks: Hobnobs (biscuit crumbs = acceptable stable-floor contribution), strong tea, and *never* popcorn—it’s like feeding polystyrene to a pony. Dangerous *and* disrespectful.
2. Watch in order: Skip ahead, and you’ll miss why Ty’s truck has that dent, or how Amy’s trauma with *Spitfire* shaped her methods. Timeline matters.
3. Mute the “suspense” music: Honestly—90% of *Heartland* tension is strings swelling. Turn it down. Real horse emergencies involve calm voices and a vet on speed-dial.
4. Watch with a rider: They’ll point out the *good* bits (that perfect half-halt!) and *side-eye* the nonsense (no, you don’t canter in a headcollar. Ever.).

And if ye sob during S4E12 (“Amy’s Choice”)? Don’t apologise. *We all did*. Even Big Dave, the 6’4” welder who rides a 13.2 pony named *Doris*.

Still hungerin’ for more than just screen time? We’ve mapped the trail: start at Riding London for the big picture, wander into our ever-expanding Learn section for practical wisdom (from lungeing to lameness checks), or dive into our curated watchlist over at horse-tv-series-on-netflix-binge-worthy-picks. Because stories move us—but real hooves on real earth? That’s where the magic *lives*.

References

• https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/news/2018/free-rein-impact-study
• https://www.cbc.ca/heartland/about-the-show
• https://www.horseandcountry.tv/programming-guide
• https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-shows/horse