* Miniatures: The film used miniature horses and sets to film the scene. This allowed for the safe recreation of the horses falling, as the miniature horses were made of lightweight materials.
* Forced perspective: This technique creates the illusion of distance by using smaller objects in the foreground and larger objects in the background. This technique was used to make the miniature horses appear larger and more realistic.
* Stuntmen: Skilled stuntmen were hired to perform the falls, using dummy horses that were specifically designed for safety. The stuntmen would fall onto padded surfaces, ensuring their safety.
* Editing and special effects: The footage of the miniatures and stuntmen falling was edited together with footage of the real actors on horseback, creating the final, dramatic scene.
This approach ensured that the scene was both visually stunning and ethically responsible. It demonstrates the creativity and ingenuity of filmmakers in the early 1960s, who were able to create realistic and impactful scenes without harming animals.