By Julie Keller




Flicka is running out of friends.


According to the American Humane Society, two horses have died in just two weeks on the set of the upcoming My Friend Flicka remake, starring Tim McGraw.

A rodeo horse died Monday while shooting a "wild horse race scene" at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, prompting production to briefly shut down. The equine actor broke free from its handlers and tripped over a rope, breaking its neck. And a quarter horse was put down on Apr. 11 after it tripped during filming and broke its back leg.

American Humane Association spokeswoman Sara Spaulding said her organization is conducting an investigation of 20th Century Fox to see if the Flicka filmmakers are following animal-friendly guidelines. The movie is being produced the studio's Fox 2000 division.

The movie brain trust, meanwhile, has issued a statement, saying "we are terribly saddened by the events that occurred. The production has taken every possible precaution and safety measure in shooting scenes where horses are involved."

The City of Los Angeles' Department of Animal Services allowed filming to resume on Tuesday, and the AHA investigation continues. But the production will no longer be able to use wild mustangs previously employed on the shoot, according a spokesman for the department.

But many animal-rights activists say the AHA probe may be compromised because the group is paid by the Screen Actors Guild to monitor animal use in films.

"I am mortified. Poor horses. They've gotta stop this," Kathy Riordan, a member of the Los Angeles Animal Services Commission told UPI. "I personally think there is a major conflict of interest when the entity responsible for monitoring an industry is supported by it. Any way you look at it, [the AHA] gets paid by Hollywood and there's something wrong with that."

My Friend Flicka is a remake of the 1943 Roddy McDowall. The new version, starring McGraw, Maria Bello and Alison Lohman, is scheduled to hit theaters in February.

Upon further investigation, it was concluded that the horses had committed suicide upon learning that they were starring in a remake of My Friend Flicka with Tim McGraw.

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