HORSE owners may not be as surpised as some of Liam Neeson’s fans were when he said a horse who had a previously filmed with recognised him when they met on set again. The story quickly gained attention and other actors agreed with Neeson and explained how they had similar experiences.

Neeson met his old work mate on the set of The Ballad of Buster Scruggs having previously worked together on a western. Speaking about their reconnection Neeson said: “He actually remembered me from another western we made a while back… He whinnied when he saw me! And pawed the ground.”

Neeson admitted when they last worked together he had taken special care of the horse and made sure to feed him treats and apples. Russell Crowe quickly defended Neeson when some were sceptical about the horse recognising him.

Crowe explained how he had a made a similar bond with two horses he worked with. The first he met while filming Gladiator called George. The pair crossed paths again during the filming of Robin Hood.

“Years later he was on the set of Robin Hood and we would have a chat every day,” according to Crowe. Robin Hood was also the location for the formation of Crowe’s second equine friendship, this time with a grey named Rusty.

Rusty and Crowe met again on ‘Les Mis’. Crowe described his bond with Rusty as “lifelong friends.”

Neeson and Crowe are not the only Hollywood stars who have developed and maintained a connection with the equine colleagues. After Lord of Rings,Viggo Mortensen had bonded so strongly with two of his mounts that he bought them. Mortensen added to his collection after filming Hildalgo.

For those who work with or own horses this isn’t as shocking as some members of the public found it. Horses often develop close bonds with their riders or carers which can in many cases last a lifetime.