PRESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Filmmaker Theresa Demarest’s “Throwaway Horses” will make its Los Angeles Premiere at the 21st Annual La Femme International Film Festival, Oct. 18 2025 at the Regal LA LIVE Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
The feature documentary follows the stories of many imperiled horses and the courageous people working tirelessly to help save them.
LOS ANGELES, SEPT. 26, 2025 — “Throwaway Horses”, a feature documentary by award winning filmmaker Theresa Demarest, a chilling expose on the horse racing industry, will make its LA debut at the 21st Annual La Femme International Film Festival, October 16-19, 2025. The four day event will be held at the Regal LA LIVE Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
Written and directed by Demarest, the film also sheds light on the thousands of horses that get caught every year in a trap of human neglect, despair, and greed.
In the horse racing industry, where a horse is seen as merely a tool or commodity there is little legal protection or resources for the unwanted horses.
“In the course of making this film, I have met race horses, show horses, cutting horses, rodeo horses, working draft horses, ponies and more,” says Demarest.
“I have also met many types of horse owners: breeders, rescuers, blue ribbon trophy-seekers as well as smart and kind owners,” she reveals
“I have met the gamut of those who take the time to learn the horse’s language, and those who don’t bother. I learned first hand the natural consequences of both of those choices.”
The film is Executive Produced by Demarest, Nola Wilken and Claire Demarest, with Editorial Consultant Karla Munguia Colmenero, Videographers Valeria Moonch, Julie Murray and Jeff Hino, with the score composed by Jean-Pierra Garau. The film also features several representatives from organizations Sound Equine Options, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Colorado Horse Rescue, Arabian Horse Rescue & Education, and Wildwood Stables. Many members of the animal rights community will be in attendance at the screening.
Theresa Demarest is an award winning musician/producer /independent filmmaker for Joshua Records, LLC in Portland, Oregon. In her films, she utilizes her original music to heighten and musically enhance her message in order to effect positive change in the topics she presents. Her last film Keiko the Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy won many awards on the film festival circuit and was featured on Animal Planet.
“Throwaway Horses” will screen at 12 pm on Oct. 18 at Regal LA LIVE located at 1000 W. Olympic Blvd in downtown Los Angeles.
For more information about the documentary or to arrange an interview with the filmmaker, please contact Deborah Gilels, LA Media Consultants at [email protected] or call 818-648-9513.
PRESS RELEASE THROW AWAY HORSES FILM WORLD PREMIERE 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 10 2025
Contact: Deborah Gilels 818-648-9513
Deborah Gilels / LA Media Consultants
13351-D Riverside Drive Ste. 621
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Phone: 818-758-6509
Cell: 818-648-9513
Theresa Demarest’s Documentary Throw Away Horses to World Premiere at the Annual Equus International Film Festival September 11- 14
Dr. Temple Grandin will be a special guest presenter at this year’s festival & conference
Filmmaker Theresa Demarest’s exciting Documentary Feature Throw Away Horses will make its World Premiere on Sunday, September 14th at the Equus International Film Festival in Missoula, Montana. A public discussion and Q&A will follow the film at The Wilma. The film follows stories of brave horses and courageous people working tirelessly to help save them, to educate owners and industry leaders, and to bring about community and governmental change.
The film also sheds light on the thousands of horses that get caught every year in a trap of human neglect, despair, and greed. From the horse racing industry to large and small breeders, down to the individual owner, when a horse is seen as merely a tool or commodity, there is little legal protection or resources for the unwanted horse.
“In the course of making this film, I have met racehorses, show horses, cutting horses, rodeo horses, working draft horses, ponies, “mean” horses, “dangerous” horses, kind horses, forgiving horses and more,” says Demarest. “I have met many types of horse owners: breeders, hoarders, rescuers, blue ribbon trophy seekers, backyard horse pet owners, first time horse owners, stupid owners, clueless owners, smart intelligent and kind owners.
I have met the gamut of those who take the time to learn the horse’s language, and those who don’t bother. I learned the natural consequences of both of those choices.” The film is Executive Produced by Demarest, Nola Wilken and Claire Demarest, with Editorial Consultant Karla Munguia Colmenero, Videographers Valeria Moonch, Julie Murray and Jeff Hino, with the score composed by Jean-Pierre Garau.
The film features Kim Mosiman and Elisabeth Wolf from Sound Equine Options, Joanna Grossman from the Animal Welfare Institute, Katherine Gregory, Sarah Hofkamp and Dan Burak from the Colorado Horse Rescue, professional horse trainer Cezanne Decristoforo, Brett Sanko, Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager Linda Fielder, Dusty Calcagno, Executive Director of Arabian Horse Rescue & Education, and Gabby Sanchez, owner of Wildwood Stables.
EQUUS INTERNATIONAL Film Festival is the premier global venue for award-winning equine films including documentaries, features, narrative and non-fiction, news, music videos, and new media focused on any topic, issue or theme with an equine focus. Founded in 2011, it was the first international equine film festival, launched as an outreach and education project of Horse Haven Montana, an equine rescue, adoption, and education organization. EQUUS INTERNATIONAL, through media, strives to educate, inspire and advance equine welfare and well-being. The event, scheduled to be held where it was first established, in Missoula, Montana, will feature 3 days of clinics, conference presentations and award-winning films that promote and highlight the bond and partnership between horse and human. The theme for the 2025 Conference & Film Festival is: A New Vision in Horsemanship: The Partnership Between Horse & Human. Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned animal activist and expert on animals and autism, will be a special guest at the festival. Theresa Demarest is an award-winning musician/producer /independent filmmaker for Joshua Records, LLC in Portland, Oregon. In her films, she utilizes her original music to heighten and musically enhance her message in order to effect positive change in the topics she presents. Her last film Keiko the Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy won many awards on the film festival circuit and was featured on Animal Planet.18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deborah Gilels 818-648-9513
Deborah Gilels / LA Media Consultants
13351-D Riverside Drive Ste. 621
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Phone: 818-758-6509
Cell: 818-648-9513
Oregon Filmmaker Theresa Demarest Wins Award in Accolade Global Film Competition
Los Angeles, June 24…Filmmaker Theresa Demarest of Joshua Records, LLC has won a prestigious Award of Merit from The Accolade Global Film Competition. The award was given for Theresa Demarest’s exciting Documentary Feature Film titled Throw Away Horses.
Director’s Statement:
“In the course of making this film, I have met racehorses, show horses, cutting horses, rodeo horses, working draft horses, ponies, “mean” horses, “dangerous” horses, kind horses, forgiving horses and more.
I have met many types of horse owners: breeders, hoarders, rescuers, blue ribbon trophy-seekers, backyard horse pet owners, first time horse owners, stupid owners, clueless owners, smart intelligent and kind owners. I have met the gamut of those who take the time to learn the horse’s language, and those who don’t bother. I learned the natural consequences of both of those choices.”
“It is the horse who suffers or thrives depending on the choice the human makes.”
“The reason I was compelled to spend 5 years making this film is that in our everyday life, the majority of modern human beings have forgotten about horses, and most have no idea what is happening to them. For the most part, we no longer ride them to school, put them to work on the farm, load the buggy to get the groceries, etc. These majestic animals are in serious trouble.
I went to Washington DC, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, to help me tell you what is happening to horses in the United States. It’s not a pretty picture, but as they say:
Awareness can be the first step.”
LOGLINE:
This film sheds light on the thousands of horses that get caught every year in a trap of human neglect, despair, and greed. From the horse racing industry to large and small breeders, down to the individual owner, when a horse is seen as merely a tool or commodity, there is little legal protection or resources for the unwanted horse. The film Throw Away Horses follows the stories of brave horses and courageous people working tirelessly to help save them, to educate owners and industry leaders, and to bring about community and governmental change. For more information visit: www.throwawayhorses.com
Other films by Theresa Demarest
Keiko The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy
https://www.facebook.com/KeikoDoc/
ACCOLADE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Accolade recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about the Accolade and a list of recent winners can be found at www.accoladecompetition.org.
In winning an Accolade, Filmmaker Theresa Demarest joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including the Oscar winning production of The Lady in Number Six by Malcolm Clarke, the very talented Dave Bossert of Disney for his short documentary, The Tunes Behind The Toons, Hollywood industry veteran Ron Howard for When You Find Me and Highwire Films Australia for their popular ABC TV series twentysomething.
Rick Prickett, who chairs The Accolade Global Film Competition, had this to say about the latest winners, “The Accolade is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The Accolade helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The Accolade is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”
https://filmthreat.com/reviews/throw-away-horses/
MOVIE REVIEW
In Throw Away Horses, director Theresa Demarest exposes the grim reality of how horses in America—whether racehorses, show horses, or family companions—are too often treated as disposable once they outlive their usefulness. She shows how thousands of aging, injured, or unwanted horses are abandoned. Others wind up at livestock auctions that serve as pipelines to slaughterhouses in Mexico, Canada, or other countries. Demarest speaks with rescuers, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates, revealing a heartbreaking system fueled by neglect, greed, and an absence of legal protection for these horses.
Demarest takes us to various farms, rodeos, stables, and rescue centers across the country. Each stop uncovers a new layer of the problem—owners unable or unwilling to care for their horses and breeders producing more horses than they can responsibly manage. Her camera also captures moments of quiet compassion as volunteers and true horse lovers intervene to save animals on the brink of death and offer the comfort a horse has not felt in months. Rescuers often pose as buyers at auctions to save doomed horses.
The film shines a light on organizations like Sound Equine Options, the Animal Welfare Institute, and Colorado Horse Rescue that take on the most severe cases—horses suffering from starvation, untreated injuries, or trauma from abuse. Their efforts show that recovery, while slow and difficult, is possible. By giving these horses a second chance at life, these rescuers embody the film’s core message: compassion and responsibility can transform even the most desperate stories into ones of hope.
“Thousands of aging, injured, or unwanted horses are abandoned every year.”
I’ve had the pleasure of growing up in communities that offer homes and amenities for horses and horse owners, including stables, corrals, and trails. As much as I would have loved to own a horse, Throw Away Horses is a must-see documentary for anyone, particularly novices, who are thinking about taking in a horse. It’s not a how-to, but an eye-opening piece that gives current and potential owners some much-needed clarity on the subject.
As a film, Throw Away Horses is clearly a low-budget documentary—not exactly HBO budget—but what it lacks in the crisp, clean polish of mainstream productions, it makes up for in passion and honesty. The film tells the truth about what it takes to own and raise a horse, and the suffering, trauma, and rampant abuse many others face when they are reduced to mere tools of farming or racing. They are not seen as animals with souls and personalities, but toys or equipment that are thrown away when they are broken or useless.
Throw Away Horses is an eye-opening and educational documentary that delivers vital insight into the realities of horse ownership and neglect. Theresa Demarest’s film is packed with essential information, offering much-needed clarity for anyone considering taking in or caring for a horse. Honest, passionate, and deeply informative, it’s a must-see for audiences who believe compassion begins with understanding.
Throw Away Horses screened at the 2025 Awareness Film Festival.
“…An unflinching look at what really happens when the race is over…”