Mortensen is Proud Paint Horse Owner.

The movie Hidalgo is based on the life of Frank Hopkins and his horse, Hidalgo. Likewise, it is an accurate representation of the bond established between actor Viggo Mortensen, who portrayed Hopkins, and his new sorrel overo Paint Horse stallion, RH Tecontender, who played Hidalgo.

Despite the controversy over the truth of Frank Hopkins and the movie Hidalgo, read about the real life story of John Fusco, Actor Viggo Mortensen, and the relationships and admiration they have devloped with paint horses and others. It turns out, John Fusco is quite familiar with horses, and has owned and shown them since giving homes to equine actors from his films Young Guns I and II.