If you’re looking for a new show to watch, check out “Down The Fence” on Netflix and enjoy a profile of the lives of competitive horse trainers from across the country.

Amanda Radke

January 17, 2018

2 Min Read
Netflix documentary “Down The Fence” highlights ranch life
Down The Fence

Yesterday, temperatures dipped below zero, and it was one of those days where you got outside, got things done and hurried back to the house just as quick as you came.

Thankfully, we had fed plenty of hay before the cold front hit. Plus, our waterers have stayed open, and no cows have decided to calve during this cold spell, so we didn’t have any major problems arise to take care of on the ranch.

READ: Hot coffee needed for cold days on the ranch

With things running smoothly, Tyler and I started diving into end-of-the year paperwork and tax preparation. To pass the time, we watched a new documentary streaming on Netflix called, “Down The Fence.”

Created by Lori Adamski-Peek and MJ Isakson, the film has won numerous cinematic awards, and it’s already receiving great reviews from fans on Facebook.

According to the movie creators, “Each year, horse trainers journey to Reno, Nevada to compete for one of the most challenging equestrian championships in the world. For the
trainers, winning means putting food on the table and hay in the barn for another year; but it also means another year of survival for a culture of horsemanship that dates back to the early Spanish mission days of California.

READ: In agriculture and reining horses, sometimes things just happen

“Down the Fence evokes a deep and universal love for horses as it chronicles how cowboy culture has evolved and is thriving thanks to the little-known sport of reined cow horse.

“Reined cow horse—a discipline of horsemanship—was born out of a practical need for partnership, but the bond between horse and human and the community that grew around that bond is so strong that, defying the odds, it remains unbroken in the modern world.

“Down The Fence profiles horse trainers on their journey to compete for the national championship, revealing their challenges and a rare glimpse into their unique lifestyle along the way. It is a documentary about passion, perseverance, community, and the enduring power of the human-animal connection.”

Not only is the imagery and music fantastic, but the interviews were really authentic, as well. Although I’m not a horse trainer, it was was to relate to the ranching couples and the sacrifices they spoke of as they pursued their passions in agriculture together.

READ: If you're the guide, your horse will follow

It’s rare for a popular streaming channel to host a show that features agriculture, so it was a pleasant surprise to watch this documentary and feel like a little bit of our story is being told to the general public.

If you’re looking for something to watch while you cozy up on the couch, check this out. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Learn more about the documentary and watch the trailer by clicking here.

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.

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