'Heartland' star Amber Marshall and other Celebrities Whose Hearts Belong to Horses

From riding bareback on set to building ranches in real life, these stars don’t just play cowboys and cowgirls. For them, horses are part of their everyday world. And for Heartland’s Amber Marshall, that bond runs even deeper.

Amber Marshall: Cowgirl On and Off Screen

If there's one celebrity whose love of horses never feels performative, it's Heartland’s Amber Marshall. She doesn’t just ride for Amy Fleming—she lives it. Amber owns a ranch outside High River, Alberta, where she cares for several horses including her longtime companion Hawk.

On her wedding day in 2013, Amber didn’t walk down the aisle—she rode. Side-saddle. In a dress. On Hawk. It wasn’t for show; it was just her. That moment summed up exactly how central horses are to her identity.

Her real-life riding skills have been part of what makes Heartland feel so authentic for fans—and it’s no accident. She grew up riding, and the show simply gave her a bigger arena.

Shania Twain: The Country Icon Who Made Horses Part of Her Act

Back in 2013, Shania Twain released a deeply personal documentary, The Love of Horses, highlighting her lifelong bond with the animals. It wasn’t just nostalgia—her Las Vegas residency years later carried the same spirit.

In one striking moment, Shania serenades a white horse on stage mid-show, treating the crowd to something that felt both theatrical and personal. For her, the horse is more than a stage prop—it’s a partner.

Madonna: Bruised, Battered, But Still in the Saddle

Not many pop icons can say they’ve broken bones falling off a horse—and still want to get back on. But Madonna can.

In 2005, she was thrown off a horse in a serious accident. Most would’ve sworn off riding for life. She didn’t. A few months later, she was on The Late Show with David Letterman, letting him help her mount up once again—live on camera. Because even when it hurts, some people just aren’t built to stay off a horse.

Elizabeth Taylor: From Movie Star to Horse Owner at 12

It’s one of the oldest—and most heartfelt—celebrity horse stories out there. In 1944’s National Velvet, a young Elizabeth Taylor bonded so closely with the horse she rode during filming that she adopted him after production ended.

She was 12. The movie made her a star, but it also gave her a companion. That horse remained with her for years—a quiet, behind-the-scenes reminder of the girl she was before the fame.

Lady Gaga: A Gift That Turned Into Family

In 2015, Lady Gaga received a white horse from her record label. Most artists would’ve thanked them, posed for a picture, and moved on.

Not Gaga.

She gave the horse a home and a name and started posting about her like family. “The sweetest girl,” she wrote in one caption. And judging by the regular updates, she meant it.

Jamie Foxx: Django Brought His Own Horse

When Jamie Foxx showed up on the set of Django Unchained, he wasn’t just bringing charisma—he brought his own horse.

Cheetah, his chestnut steed, was already trained and ready. Foxx wanted authenticity in the saddle scenes, and having his own horse helped him get there faster. For him, it wasn’t just about acting—it was about trust between actor and animal.

Viggo Mortensen: Rode Offscreen Too

Aragorn wasn’t just brave on the battlefield—he was also bonded to his horse. And that was no accident. Viggo Mortensen reportedly asked The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson to give his character more horseback scenes.

But what really stands out? He kept riding after the cameras stopped. Mortensen was known to take his horse out for rides even after a full day of filming. That level of commitment wasn’t required. But it clearly meant something to him.

Steven Spielberg: Eight Horses, One War Horse

Steven Spielberg doesn’t just direct movies about horses—he lives with them.

He and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, share their home with eight horses (and several dogs). Their children grew up around stables and saddles. It’s part of why War Horse wasn’t just another film to Spielberg—it was a story he connected with personally. And it showed.

Iggy Azalea: A Rapper with Reins

It might surprise fans of her music, but Iggy Azalea isn’t afraid to trade stilettos for stirrups.

She’s taken riding lessons in Los Angeles and often shares clips of her arena sessions. There’s no filter, no glam—just her, a helmet, and a horse. It’s a different side of her image—and maybe one of the most grounded.

Robert Redford: The Horse Whisperer Was Personal

Before he was an acclaimed director, Robert Redford fell in love with horses as a six-year-old boy.

That childhood moment became something more serious as he got older, eventually inspiring his 1998 film The Horse Whisperer. Redford didn’t just direct it—he lived it. The Utah ranch he calls home is still where he reconnects with horses regularly.

Johnny Depp: Took the Horse Home

On the set of Sleepy Hollow, Johnny Depp worked so closely with the black stallion he rode as Ichabod Crane that he asked to keep the horse when production ended.

He did.

That kind of connection doesn’t happen every day—and Depp has said it was one of the most meaningful gifts he’s ever received from a project.

Queen Elizabeth II: The Horse-Loving Monarch

Queen Elizabeth wasn’t just a figurehead—she was a lifelong equestrian.

Her Majesty was often seen riding around Windsor Castle well into her 90s. Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews still houses over 30 horses used for ceremonial events, but the Queen’s personal bond with them was private and constant.

Long before social media showed celebrities with horses, Elizabeth was simply out riding at sunrise.