Ep 4. Wrong Way Horse Collision

Wrong Way Horse Collision is the fourth episode of the second season of Untamed and Uncut. This thrilling episode showcases a series of equine incidents that somehow manage to happen despite all the precautions taken for racehorses' safety.

Firstly, we have the story of a jockey, Rachel King, and her horse, Hot 'N' Misty. The filly accidentally crashed into a fence after missing a jump in a race, which caused a chain reaction involving another horse and jockey. The incident sent the riders flying and the horses falling, and it all culminated in a five-horse pile-up on the track. Thankfully, all the jockeys escaped relatively unscathed, and so did the horses, minus a few scrapes and bruises.

The next incident was no less hair-raising. In this case, an unsuspecting horse named Bob lifted its head up into the path of an oncoming sprinter. To everyone's amazement, the sprinter ran straight into the horse, sending it crashing down at full speed. The impact looked both violent and painful, but somehow both the horse and the jockey came away with just a few scratches.

However, the third story of the episode was the most heart-wrenching of them all. This time, we join a series of thoroughbred races at a track in New York, where a widely favored steed named Cryin' Ryan tumbled onto the dirt while leading the pack. The moment it occurred seemed like a terrible accident, but the real tragedy unfolded seconds later when another horse named Laurie's Rocket crashed right into Cryin' Ryan at full speed. The impact sent Ryan's jockey Gerry Olguin flying from the saddle, and he writhed in anguish on the ground. Sadly, poor Cryin' Ryan suffered fatal injuries and eventually had to be put down.

These incidents were an all-too-real entry into the dark side of horse racing, where the raw competitiveness of the sport can leave both horse and rider vulnerable to life-threatening incidents. But the episode still manages to end on a hopeful note, showcasing those instances where there is some semblance of a happy ending. It's a thrilling watch for those who have a deep love for animals and the racing world, as this episode deftly illustrates the high stakes that come with competing on the track.

The entire half-hour of the show is presented in a matter-of-fact way, reporting on the incidents with as little cinematic embellishment as possible. Instead, the emphasis is placed squarely on the horses and their handlers, with the camera often lingering on the close-up shots of equine faces and the racetrack's harsh dirt surface. The footage itself is expertly captured and edited to heighten the tension and suspense for the viewer without ever feeling gratuitous. All in all, this episode is a powerful entry into the second season of Untamed and Uncut, an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in the rough and tumble of racing.