Replies

Yes, he is in a saddle. Would have to have been for safety. I am going to guess that almost all of the riding was done by a double, and even then I am sure the double was in a saddle. Liberty horses are trained to respond to tiny shifts of weight by the rider and it would be too hard to have the kind of seat necessary to turn and stop the horse bareback. I don't know if the animal they used is really a stallion or not (I haven't been given an intimate look) but he does have the cresty neck, jowls and carriage characteristic of a stallion. Especially if it was a stallion, but even if it wasn't, Ian McKellan is not going to be skillful enough to be put on a horse with no means of control in close contact with other horses. I bet when the "behind the scenes" comes out, we learn that like Liv Tyler, Ian McKellan was never on a moving horse.

That said, Shadowfax was at liberty most of the time. One shot I did see a white line around his neck. Either the mood of the horse required it that day, or what they needed to do was intricate enough that they needed that, I have to see it again to see what else happened in the scene. It was a fleeting glimpse, and I forgot where.

Oh, I am certain that a saddle was used. I was just wondering how they didn't notice Ian grabbed it while entering Edoras. :)

I saw the white line too. I suspect it was a rope halter of some sort and I saw it during the scene when Gandalf and the others were stopping at the crest that overlooks Edoras. The angle covers Shadowfax with the bodies of the other two horses and their riders. I am certain that it was done to cover the obvious saddle lines and necessary bridle at that point (since Ian was atop him).

With all that said - what a horse! Very handsome indeed. He certainly had the attitude of a King, didn't he? Talk about perfect casting! :)