Horse Sense facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horse Sense |
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Film poster
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| Written by |
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| Directed by | Greg Beeman |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Marco Marinangeli |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Cinematography | Rodney Charters |
| Editor(s) | Terry Stokes |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Distributor | Buena Vista Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | Disney Channel |
| Original release | November 20, 1999 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Jumping Ship |
Horse Sense is a 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie. It was written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. Greg Beeman directed the film. The movie stars real-life brothers Joey Lawrence and Andrew Lawrence. Joey Lawrence also helped produce the film. A sequel called Jumping Ship came out in 2001.
Contents
The Story of Horse Sense
This movie is about a rich, spoiled young man who learns important lessons. It shows how he changes from being selfish to caring about his family.
Michael's Selfish Start
Michael Woods is a 20-year-old who lives in Los Angeles. He is very lazy and uses his parents' money. He struggles with college and dates a spoiled girl named Gina. His family does not like Gina. Michael learns that his 11-year-old cousin, Tommy Biggs, is visiting from Montana. Michael has not seen Tommy in years.
During Tommy's visit, Michael ignores him. He cares more about his friends and Gina. On Tommy's last day, the housekeeper, Arlene, tells Michael he treated Tommy badly. Michael decides to take Tommy to Disneyland. But on the way, Gina calls and asks him to meet her father at a racetrack. Michael leaves Tommy at an indoor play park. He goes to the racetrack for a short visit.
Michael spends hours charming Gina's father. When he realizes how late it is, he rushes back for Tommy. He crashes his Porsche Boxster car on the way. At the play park, Michael learns Arlene picked up Tommy hours ago. When he gets home, Tommy is angry. Arlene is also disappointed. Michael lies to his parents about the car crash. He says it was a hit-and-run.
A Trip to the Ranch
After Tommy goes home, Michael's parents learn the truth. Tommy's aunt tells them Michael did not spend time with Tommy. Arlene also tells them everything. Michael's father, Glenn, is very angry. He demands to know why Michael left Tommy. Michael says Gina threatened to break up with him. Glenn says that is no excuse. Family is more important.
Things get worse when police officers arrive. They tell Michael's parents about the car accident. Michael had lied about the crash. His parents are furious. Glenn decides Michael needs to learn responsibility. He sends Michael to work on the Biggs ranch in Montana for one month. Michael does not want to go. But Glenn says it is not a choice. He warns Michael that if he causes trouble, his trip to the French Riviera with Gina will be canceled. Michael arrives at the ranch. He meets Jules, Tommy, and ranch hands Twister and Mule.
Learning Hard Lessons
Michael starts working early the next morning. Tommy makes his tasks harder as revenge. For example, Tommy tells him to load wood onto an old truck. Mule then laughs and shows him a newer truck. Michael confronts Tommy. He says he only got along with Tommy before because they were the only kids. Michael says he does not care if his parents cancel his trip. He just wants to be left alone. Tommy sadly agrees, thinking Michael does not care.
The next morning, Twister scolds Michael. He heard how Michael treated Tommy. Twister says Michael is lazy and spoiled. He explains that his family works hard and appreciates what they have. Twister has heard Michael complaining to Gina about ranch work. Michael is surprised to learn the Biggs family has money problems. Twister says no one told him because they thought he did not care. Twister tells Michael to change his attitude.
After talking to Twister, Michael realizes he has been selfish. He starts to adapt to ranch life. He fixes his relationship with Tommy. Tommy tells him his father was very sick. His medical bills and the loss of his father's help caused their money problems. Michael feels bad for not spending more time with Tommy. He also feels bad for not putting his social life aside. Later, Jules tells Michael the ranch will be taken by the bank. Their mortgage is overdue. The bank plans to sell the ranch and their belongings.
Saving the Ranch
Michael returns to Los Angeles after a month. He is now more mature. His old life no longer interests him. At a racetrack, a horse gets scared. Michael calms it down, remembering what Mule taught him. Michael breaks up with Gina. He realizes his parents were right about her.
When Michael gets home, he scolds his father for not helping the Biggs family. Glenn tells him he tried to help. He offered them money to save the ranch. But Jules was too proud to accept it. Michael sells his Porsche car. He returns to Montana with the money. He wants to help keep the ranch running. Jules kindly refuses his offer. She thinks it is time for her and Tommy to move on. But Michael does not give up easily.
On the day of the auction, Michael remembers a real estate class. He learned about a land trust. This plan, made with the bank, would let the Biggs family stay on the property. Michael successfully talks to the bank. Jules agrees to let Michael keep working on the ranch. She also wants him to spend more time with the family. Later, Tommy and Michael finish building a tree house. Tommy's father had started it before he got sick.
Meet the Cast
- Joseph Lawrence as Michael Woods
- Andrew Lawrence as Tommy Biggs
- Susan Walters as Jules Biggs
- M.C. Gainey as Twister
- Leann Hunley as Jacy Woods
- Robin Thomas as Glenn Woods
- Jolie Jenkins as Gina
- Steve Reevis as Mule
- Freda Foh Shen as Arlene
- Ian Ogilvy as Miles
- Nancy Renee as Professor Mallory Baynes
- Channing Chase as Deidre White
- Mike Trachtenberg as Lou
- Dan Martin as Officer
- Holmes Osborne as Mr. Hawthorne
- Matthew Lawrence as Cowboy in airport
How Many People Watched?
Horse Sense first showed on Disney Channel in the United States. This was on November 20, 1999. About 3.2 million people watched the movie that night. It was the most watched show during its time. About 2,054,000 homes watched the film. This was more than any Disney Channel show before it. Horse Sense was also the second highest-rated cable movie for November 1999.
See also
In Spanish: Horse Sense para niños
