Adam Bettaglia is the founder of Dark Horse Productions and brings over 25 years of experience in the film industry—so yes, he’s seen it all (and probably wrangled most of it). He’s the only Horse Master with formal qualifications in Animal Behaviour and Zoo Keeping, which already makes him pretty legendary. And just in case that wasn’t enough, his talents also extend to training birds, dogs, and farm animals—basically, if they  walk, fly, or trot, Adam can probably train them..

Action Animals, in conjunction with Dark Horse Productions, can handle everything from blockbuster feature films and drama series to commercials, photo shoots, and live stage shows—if it involves a camera and an animal, we’re in. We specialise in coordinating large numbers of horses with military-level organisation and an uncompromising commitment to animal welfare, safety, and on-set professionalism. Thanks to our global network, we can source animals from around the world and smoothly manage the beautiful chaos of international productions.

Amy Bettaglia and Ernie

Our services include access to a dedicated 300-acre training facility in the Southern Highlands—basically a five-star resort for horses and the humans who wrangle them. Here, we provide comprehensive training for actors, supported by a team of highly experienced horse wranglers and riders. We also offer an elite lineup of liberty, trick, and stunt horses ready to handle everything from graceful close-ups to full-throttle action.