‘The Hobbit’ Set Horror Revealed as 27 Animals Died, Including a Tiny Pony

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Approximately 27 animals died at a New Zealand farm while being used in the production of The Hobbit movies. Several animal handlers who worked on the films have stated that the animals were kept in terrible conditions, according to reports from the Associated Press and the Mirror.

Horse trainer Chris Langridge described the farm as extremely dangerous. He pointed out numerous hazards, including damaged fences, sheer cliffs, and concealed holes in the ground. Although he attempted to make repairs, he felt the scope of the work was overwhelming. Langridge explained that horses require level ground, as they can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, and the uneven landscape posed a serious risk of injury.

The first animal to pass away was a little pony called Rainbow. Langridge discovered her alive one morning, but she had broken her back after falling down a steep slope and sadly had to be euthanized. Shortly after, another horse named Doofus injured his leg severely while caught in a fence. This incident led Langridge to decide to leave his job.

Johnny Smythe, another caretaker, reported two more horse deaths. He discovered Claire drowned in a stream after falling from a high bank. Later, Zeppelin died in the stable. Although records state Zeppelin died of natural causes, Smythe believes the horse became ill after being fed a new type of food.

Mr. Smythe reported having to bury twelve animals – six goats and six sheep – which he said died from various causes like falling into holes, parasites, or digestive problems related to their food. He also stated that dogs killed around twelve chickens due to a lack of supervision. Smythe lost his job in 2011 following a disagreement with his employer regarding animal care.

Matt Dravitzki, a representative for director Peter Jackson, addressed the recent events. He confirmed they were aware of the horses’ deaths and acknowledged that those deaths might have been preventable. He stated that after identifying issues, they invested a significant amount of money – hundreds of thousands of dollars – to improve the stables and fencing.

Dravitzki also shared that Peter Jackson gave three of the pigs from the film a permanent home. The American Humane Association, responsible for ensuring animal welfare on set, confirmed that no animals were injured during filming. However, they acknowledged their guidelines primarily focus on the film set itself and don’t extend to the farms where the animals lived when not being filmed.

What are your thoughts on whether movie studios should be responsible for the well-being of animals used in their films, even when filming isn’t happening?

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2026-02-04 14:45