Yellowstone's prodigal son, Kayce Dutton, returns in the new CBS series Marshals, but he’s not the only familiar presence. Those horses that populated the once-mighty Dutton Ranch are a significant part of this procedural, even as Kayce (Luke Grimes) ventures into the world of law enforcement. That’s where head wrangler Bobby Lovgren comes in. He’s built a career on knowing what his actors need –– especially the hooved ones. He’s worked on films including Seabiscuit, War Horse and Nope, and more recently with Taylor Sheridan on Yellowstone and 1923.
On Marshals, the horses have a different role. "The Yellowstone set was the horses," Lovgren says. "Even if the horses weren’t being used, they were always in the background. Honestly, I miss that." But Kayce and his team of marshals are on horseback plenty as they hunt down the criminal element. Whether it’s in-pursuit shots or dialogue scenes, Lovgren has stunt horses on standby to sub for his star horses at any given moment. (Yes, certain horses are considered the stars, and doubles or triples step in when needed, just like actors.)
Horse wrangler Bobby Lovgren
"To shoot a long, two-page dialogue sequence where the actor is sitting on the horse, he’s going to sit on that horse for two or three hours," Lovgren says. "A horse cannot stand there for that long and not move around. If it’s a closeup on the person’s face, the horse might move one inch, but the person on top moves a foot in the camera. That’s more difficult than the running stuff."
None of it works without building good horse-human partnerships on and off screen. Lovgren encourages the actors to ride his horses in their spare time, not just for lessons but for enjoyment. The more confident they feel behind the reins, the more relaxed they are in the saddle. Grimes, for example, rides Remy in Marshals, having already built a relationship with him from Yellowstone. "People and horses, just like people working with other people, have conflicts of personalities," Lovgren says. "I have to suit the horse to the actor."
Lovgren gives emmy contributor Hunter Ingram some insight into the tools necessary to keep himself and his horses comfortable on the range.
EARL TWIST SADDLE
"The best saddle is one that’s been broken in and ridden for a long time, like a good pair of boots," Lovgren says. His preferred brand pairs nicely with props necessary for marshal patrols, including scabbards for rifles and stirrups big enough for tactical boots. "The saddles just can’t be too heavy if the horse has to wear it for eight to 10 hours." (16-inch reining saddle, $1,999, goodappleequine.com)
COWBOY HAT
Even when the horses aren’t on camera, Lovgren is working to keep them fit and comfortable. That means he’s always under the beating sun, no matter the season. In the summer, he throws on a straw cowboy hat that breathes. In the winter, he grabs a felt hat that retains heat. (Chocolate 3X felt hat, $100, codyjames.com)
ARIAT BOOTS
Trusty and durable boots are essential. Ariat boots are Lovgren’s go-to for set, but he admits he’s happy to shed this Western standard at the end of the day. "Quite honestly, I try to get out of my boots and into my tennis shoes as quickly as possible. I only wear boots when I’m riding." (Bodie square-toe boot, $180, ariat.com)
iPHONE
In 1923, Harrison Ford’s character jokingly resists the encroachment of telephones. But it’s no joke how tied Lovgren is to his iPhone on set. "Every department has a job, and their job is the most important thing to them, but to make it all work as a team and keep these horses safe is honestly the most difficult part. It’s not just about animals, but also communication." (iPhone 17 Pro, $1,099, apple.com)
This article originally appeared in emmy magazine, issue #4, 2026, under the title "In the Saddle."
