‘The Gilded Age’: HBO Responds To PETA’s Call For Investigation Following Horse Death

Rosy Cordero
·2 min read

UPDATED with HBO Statement: PETA is calling for HBO to conduct an internal investigation into the death of a 22-year-old horse with “possible health issues” during production of The Gilded Age‘s second season.

The death is reported to have occurred in New York’s Nassau County last week after the horse “sustained head trauma and was seen frothing at the mouth,” according to reports from a PETA whistleblower.

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“If it weren’t for these whistleblowers, the apparent death of this vulnerable horse would likely have been swept under the rug,” PETA SVP Kathy Guillermo said in a statement Thursday. “PETA is reminding HBO that watchful, compassionate people can be found on every set and is urging it to stop using horses before someone else dies in its productions.”

HBO confirmed the horse’s death in a statement.

“HBO was saddened to learn that on June 28, during filming on the set of The Gilded Age, a horse collapsed and died, likely of natural causes, according to a veterinarian’s preliminary findings,” the network said. “The safety and well-being of animals on all our productions is a top priority, and the producers of The Gilded Age work with American Humane to ensure full compliance with all safety precautions. Following AHA’s recommendation, the horse was transported to a facility for a full necropsy. AHA has interviewed all involved personnel, and full necropsy results are pending.”

According to sources close to the production, the 22-year-old horse, who had prior filming experience, had started filming 15 minutes after a one-hour rest period. The scene involved a carriage and two passengers, and the weather was in the 70s.  Filming was halted immediately as attempts were made to administer aid to the horse, and production wrapped for the day. Preliminary findings from horse wranglers and a veterinarian indicate that the horse had not displayed signs of discomfort before the animal collapsed.

In a letter to HBO Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys, PETA laments the loss of another equine following three deaths on the set of the series Luck in 2012. The horse-raising drama subsequently was canceled.

“These animals were unfit, arthritic, drugged, and pushed beyond their capabilities,” the letter reads in part. “Many weren’t accustomed to film sets and had received no training but were retired racehorses. We had hoped HBO might have learned something from that experience: namely, that horses aren’t props. They’re sensitive animals who can be startled easily, and they must be gradually accustomed to the changing conditions on a set. They should not be used in film or television productions at all.”

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