Before They Vanish (2022) Movie Script
1
[horse neighs]
[narrator]
November 19th, 1971.
At the age of 19,
Frank Combs returned
from serving
in the Vietnam War
an addict with PTSD.
Surviving at home
in the United States
became a battle for Frank.
To make matters worse,
the exposure to Agent Orange
led to his cancer diagnosis.
Frank was looking to make
something out of his life.
He and his brother, Leo,
decided to buy
the Nokota horses
from the Theodore Roosevelt
National Park.
Frank instantly realized
these Nokota horses
were special
in the way
they behaved around humans.
These horses, after all,
were descendants of Chief
Sitting Bull's horses.
They were treated like family
by the horse-centered culture
of the Hunkpapa tribe.
Which allowed them
to interact with humans
unlike any other breed.
Frank healed
from the addictions
and felt that he could
better cope with his PTSD
when he was around these
special, [indistinct] horses.
Today, Frank has the largest
Nokota herd in the world.
He continues to protect them
and their legacy.
[slow country music plays]
[horse neighs]
[hooves rumbling]
Yeah, Frank, I think
it's time to move them horses.
[horses neighing
in the distance]
Let's do it
in the morning.
[horse neighs]
[crickets chirping]
[clock ticking]
[sheets rustling]
[clock ticking]
[pill bottle rattles]
[paper rustling]
[car beeping rhythmically]
[car engine rumbles]
[horse neighs]
[trailer rumbles and creaks]
[car beeping]
[horses stomping]
Good morning.
How are you doing?
I'm doing fine.
You, uh, ready
to round them up?
Get them down
to that soft pasture?
Oh, yeah.
Well, let's get ''er done.
We got, uh,
a lot of day left.
[trailer lock rattles]
[horses neighing]
This way. This way.
C'mon. Let's go.
[horses trotting]
[horse neighs]
[herd rumbles past]
[horse neighs]
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[horse neighs]
[Frank] I just
talked to Christine
the other day and...
uh, told me she's got
three students
that want Nokotas
of their own
and this way at least
I know they'll have a good home
and, uh...
we'll just haul them with us
when we go out
to the fundraiser.
That sounds like
a good plan.
[clears throat] Um,
before we go to the fundraiser,
you have time
to sit with me and a, uh,
do a little paperwork
and we can figure out, uh...
um, a bill
for where you're boarding
horses on my land.
It's been about three
or four months
since we did that
and, uh,
you know, there's just
a lot of expenses
with equipment
and supplies, and
you know, hired help,
everything, you know,
just to get a little money
would be real handy right now
before I head out that way.
[Frank] I promise you, Paul,
my next VA check
will go
to my bill towards here.
[Paul]
I appreciate that.
[Frank] I wish
hay supplier Brock
was as understanding
as you are.
[birds chirping]
[wooden gate creaks]
[ducks quacking]
[Christine]
Hey, buddy.
[clears throat]
[horse neighs]
[Christine]
C'mon. Here you go.
[ducks quacking]
My little friend.
Yeah, come on.
-[wings flapping]
-Oh! [laughs]
Come on, bud.
[ducks quacking]
[whispers] Buddy, hi!
How are you?
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
[chuckles]
[horse blusters]
[car engine rumbles]
[loud breathing, moaning]
Lacy, honey,
we're going to have fun
with the horses
at Christine's today,
-right, honey?
-[Lacy moans]
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[Christine]
Here they come.
-[Lisa] Christine?
-Hey, Lisa!
[Lisa] Hi!
We spoke on the phone.
Yes, nice to meet you!
Thank you, you too.
And this is Lacy.
Hi, Lacy!
[Lisa] Lacy, we're here
to have fun with the horses.
Well, I'm sorry
we're a tad early,
so if you want
I can pull up
-and wait in the car?
-You know what?
We can get started
with the session
if you want to
go ahead down and, uh,
park and just meet me
in the ring.
Sounds great.
[Lacy inhales and groans]
-[Lacy groaning]
-[seatbelt clicking]
[Lisa]
This is going to be fun, honey.
[birds chirping]
[Lisa] Lacy?
It's her gloves,
she forgot her gloves.
-I'm going to go get them.
-[Christine] Okay. Okay.
It's okay, Lacy, mommy's
going to get your gloves.
-Uh-oh. Okay.
-[Lacy screaming]
Hey, Lacy.
[Lacy screaming louder]
Honey, it's okay.
It's okay.
-Okay, okay.
-[Lacy cries]
-Ah.
-[Lacy stops crying]
[birds chirping]
[Lisa]
It's okay.
Do you want to pet Rabbit?
-It's okay.
-Time to visit with Rabbit?
Oh!
There you go.
So, if she has them
with her she's--
Once she's got them on her,
she'll be okay.
-Got it. Mm-hmm. Okay.
-[Lacy moans]
It's okay, baby.
-Here you go.
-There.
All good.
Comfort. [laughs]
-[birds chirping]
-Oh.
[Lacy groans]
[Lacy whimpers]
[Lisa]
Say hello to Rabbit?
[Christine] He would love
to say hello to you.
[birds chirping]
[door creaking]
[horse breathing loudly]
[birds chirping]
[gentle guitar music plays]
[horse blusters]
[apple crunching]
[apple crunching]
[music fades]
[horse blusters]
[hooves pattering]
Hello.
-Dad inside?
-[horse blusters]
-Hey, Krista.
-Morning, Dad.
Oh, just fixing stuff.
-Where's Beckett?
-He's at home with his dad.
What's going on
with the money again?
This is the second time
you've called me this year
to ask for money.
[sighs]
I promise I'll pay you.
Right after
Christine's fundraiser.
I'm sorry I gotta keep
borrowing from you...
but I have to pay Paul.
[Krista]
I thought this was for Brock.
I have to pay Paul first.
Without Paul's land,
there's nowhere
for the horses to go.
So, I'll pay Brock
after Christine's fundraiser.
My entire childhood
I've watched you borrow money
to take care of these horses.
But, what have you gotten
in return?
It's time to take care
of yourself now.
When's the last time
you were at the doctor?
I was there yesterday
for my monthly chemo.
You know how I get afterwards.
[Krista]
I know it's tough.
I'm late for work.
I gotta go.
Oh, Brock called me.
He was asking if maybe
you could sell Otto to him
for payment of the hay?
You need to get a hold of him.
[tractor engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
So, are we going to
rebuild all of the dams?
Well, we'll see
how much time we got.
You know, see what
the weather does.
But, uh, yeah, we're gonna try
to get them all done.
Yeah, I know,
that's why I'm saying,
we're already combining
late at night--
[laughs] Yeah,
well that's one of the jobs,
but the other job is,
we gotta take care
of these horses.
'Cause this has gotta be
about six feet deeper here,
to make sure
the water lasts all winter.
Those horses are gonna need it.
[slurping]
[cellphone ringing]
Who's that calling you
this early in the morning?
Just one of them
telemarketers.
[door clicks open and shut]
[Jen]
Hey, y'all.
[Jen groans]
Studs are fed.
So, you ready to go make hay?
You're on your own today, Jen.
Frank's babysitting Beckett.
-I am?
-Yeah.
Great, so we'll have
to call Brock again for hay.
I don't get to spend
much time with my grandson.
We'll get 'er done
one way or another.
You're the boss.
[exhales sharply]
Don't get all upset at me
if there's not
enough hay this year.
[tractor rumbles]
[metal creaking]
[metal clanging]
[engine stops]
[sighs] Dang it!
My gosh!
Why can't we just get
some better equipment?
[Beckett yelling]
I got you!
[Beckett talks indistinctly]
[Frank] I got it.
I got it. I got it.
[Beckett]
I got it in my boot.
[Frank]
I see that.
[Beckett talks indistinctly]
[Frank]
Mama's still there.
[car honks]
[Beckett] Mom!
Mommy! Mom! Mom!
Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!
[Beckett laughs]
[Beckett babbling]
-[kiss smacks]
-[Krista] Love you!
Love you.
Brock called me today.
Why aren't you answering
his phone calls?
[Beckett blabbering]
[Krista]
Okay, buddy, we gotta go.
[Krista]
See you, Dad. Love you.
Bye.
-[Beckett talks indistinctly]
-[car door slams shut]
[horse neighs]
[emotional guitar music plays]
Morning, Otto.
You and I are not as young
as we used to be.
Not only that,
but our herd is growing and...
so are their needs.
How about you and I go
check up on them herd, hm?
Wanna go with me?
I'd love to have you, buddy.
[Frank sighs]
Love you.
[hooves pattering]
[pattering grows louder]
[grass rustling in the wind]
[metal clanking]
Jordan and I
could've done this.
I seen that
hair hanging on the fence,
that got pulled out
of them horses.
Hope that
didn't hurt them much.
[Paul] Yeah.
-That structure ready?
-Yeah.
Okay, Paul.
Paul, I don't know
any other landowners
who do all the fencing
themselves.
-You know?
-[metal rattling]
Just trying to figure out
what your love is
for the horses
that we're out here
doing Frank's work.
Is this
the silent treatment now?
[Paul]
We got work to do.
When you send us out
for the cattle
and the cattle break fences,
you send me and Jordan
out by ourselves.
But for the horses,
you want to be here.
What's so special
about these horses, Paul?
I'll tell you what, Ben.
Let's just get this job done...
get down to the yard
and we'll load that [indistinct]
up with grain.
Let's load them tools up.
We got work to do.
All right.
-There you are.
-Thanks.
Truck's over here, Paul.
-[Paul] Got everything?
-Yeah.
[Paul]
All right.
-[man] Touch it.
-[Christina] Oh! There you go!
[Christina]
Good job!
-Move the bucket.
-[man] Touch it.
Doing really good.
She loves you. Touch it.
[man] Listen, buddy,
we have to take off.
There's somewhere
we need to go.
[men exclaiming]
[Christina]
You're doing really well.
-Touch it.
-[man] Touch it.
-[Michael chuckling]
-[Christina] Oh!
-Amazing!
-Hey.
-She really loves you.
-[he groans]
-It's okay. Okay.
-You're a total horseman.
-Michael's friend.
-Yes, absolutely.
-We'll be back to see her.
-No.
This is not the last time
you will see her.
-I promise.
-No. No.
It's okay. It's okay.
You did so good.
-Gina's Michael's friend.
-[Michael laughs]
Yeah? Yeah?
Yeah! How about it?
-Gina's Michael's friend.
-Yeah.
-You did good, brother.
-Gina is Michael's friend.
Yup. She loves you.
[Michael gasps]
Amazing.
He's doing great with this.
He really is.
We're going to do
so much more.
Oh, good, good.
He loves it.
He looks forward to it
every time.
-Good!
-Yes.
-Good.
-So--
[Christina chuckles] Oh.
We looked forward to it,
right, Mikey?
-You did good, brother.
-[laughs] Oh. Yeah.
'Cause Gina is Michael's friend.
[giggles]
-[man laughs]
-Good job.
[Christina] You have
a great rest of your day.
-[Christina laughs]
-[man] Thank you.
[Michael gasps and chuckles]
[man] You did really good.
I'm very proud of you.
[Michael chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[car engine rumbles]
[Christina]
Where's our friend, Rabbit?
[Lacy inhales sharply]
[Lacy gasps]
[Lacy groans]
[Christina] Good girl!
[birds chirping]
[Lacy gasps]
I think Nebba is starting
to really bond with Lacy.
She seems-- Lacy seems
really comfortable with her.
I can't tell you
how happy it makes me.
We have seen
absolutely amazing changes
happening with Lacy.
[Christine]
That's great,
and you'll continue
to see improvement.
I can't always predict
what's going to happen
in the session,
but, um, it's-- it's really
kind of magical to watch.
I didn't have
a choice with Lacy,
but what made you
choose this path?
-[horse blusters]
-[Lacy groans]
[Lacy continues groaning]
[hooves rumbling
and horses neighing]
[horse blustering]
[Frank sighs]
All right,
[indistinct] Paul's money.
Now, we just gotta find
Brock's money.
[hooves pattering]
[car beeping rhythmically]
[cellphone ringing]
[muffled ringing continues]
[ringing stops]
[car engine rumbles]
[Paul]
All right.
[car engine stops]
Frank's here.
[Paul]
Oh. Okay.
[clears throat]
Let's get this done, slick.
Yeah. I'm tightening.
Hey, Paul.
Frank, I'll tell you...
your horses got it made here.
They keep us working all day.
Actually, they were once
Sitting Bull's horses.
They were almost wiped out once.
I'm just taking care of them.
You mean I am.
[Paul laughs]
[Paul]
Oh, Jesus.
He acts like he's a worker,
you know?
What are you up to today?
Oh, I just came by to give you
your monthly checks.
Sorry, I'm late.
Hey, I appreciate it, man.
That, uh, come in handy.
Got a lot of bills and...
a lot of upkeep out here
and stuff, so--
but, uh...
takes a lot
to take care of everything.
By the way,
horses are looking amazing.
[Frank] Good.
Really great
set of horses and, uh...
you're doing a good job
of making them survive
and keeping them organized.
A lot of people
will appreciate it
many years down the road, so.
Nice set of horses
you got there.
Actually,
they're Sitting Bull's horses.
Oh, boy. [laughs]
When does it end?
Gotta get that last word in
all the time,
so, you know?
All right, I got
some work I gotta get done.
I'll see you guys later.
I can't blame you
for leaving there, Frank.
Take care. Have a good day.
Hey, Brock.
Why are you
not answering my calls?
I hate
chasing you down for money.
I-- I promise you,
I'll pay you soon.
Did you think
I was gonna forget about it?
I could take him
as part of the payment.
He's-- he's part of my family.
He's part of me.
Are you going to need
more hay this winter?
Make sure I get my money, Frank.
[tractor engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
[tractor door creaks]
[outdoor ambiance]
[crickets chirping]
You know, Otto,
you're the only one
that gets apples.
Buddy, you know,
my VA shots are getting...
harder and harder on me
every month.
-[Otto blusters]
-I know.
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[car beeps rhythmically]
[car engine rumbles]
[birds chirping]
[Jen] I say, Frank, you're late.
Is everything okay?
Huh.
[car rumbles off]
Listen, Frank.
Are we haying today?
Uh, you are.
I've got to go to...
the veterans' hospital
to get my monthly cancer shot.
Oh. Well, why are you here?
Paul called and said
he thought there was
an injured colt out here.
Oh, well,
I could have come by myself.
I know, but I--
I need to see it myself.
I need to check it myself.
[horse neighs in the distance]
[truck engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
[door creaks open]
[nurse] Mr. Kuntz,
the doctor will see you now
to go over your lab results.
[melancholic guitar plays]
[engine stops]
[banging]
[Otto blustering]
[door creaks open]
Hey, honey.
How was your doctor visit?
[door slams shut]
What'd he say?
Honey, you're scaring me.
What did the doctor say, honey?
What are we going to do
about our horses?
The horses
will be taken care of.
We'll make sure of that.
Please tell me
what the doctor said.
[clock ticking]
[water sloshing]
[horse neighing]
[birds chirping]
[horse blusters]
[Lacy moans]
[Lacy panting]
[Christina]
She's getting so much better.
[Lacy moaning]
[Michael chuckles]
[Lisa]
We are so proud of her.
[girl] Mom!
[Lacy] My! My!
My! My! My! My!
-My! My! My!
-[Michael grunts]
[Lacy screaming]
My! My!
-[Michael crying]
-[Lacy screaming]
[Lisa] It's o--
it's okay, it's okay.
[Michael wails]
Buddy, it's okay.
It's okay.
-[Michael wails]
-[Lisa] It's okay.
[wailing and screaming
continues]
[Lisa]
It's okay.
You're okay.
It's okay.
[Michael gasps]
-[Michael sniffles]
-It's okay, buddy.
[emotional instrumental plays]
Hey, Mom, are you okay?
[Christine] I mean, I am worried
about the client.
[girl]
It's helping them.
Everything is going well,
I think.
[music fades]
[birds chirping]
[clears throat]
[clock ticking]
Hey.
-Morning.
-Morning.
What are you writing?
Oh, I just want to make sure
we don't lose any information
about the Nokota horses.
That's a good idea.
[sighs] What am I gonna
tell the girls?
I don't want them to worry.
They need to know, Frank.
You have to tell them.
Krista's coming in this morning.
I'd like to be able to talk
to Paul and Christine first.
The horses have been
on Paul's land
for a very long time.
Do you think
he'll let them stay?
I would hope so.
Without land...
there aren't many options
for the horses.
We should tell
Krista everything.
[pen scraping]
[car engine stops]
[Krista]
I don't know why you guys
like mornings in this barn.
We need to talk.
I don't have
any more money to loan you.
That's not
what you're here for.
Dad, I don't have it.
It would've helped
if you would have asked Paul
for more time.
Then, you could've taken
the check I gave you
and settled with Brock
for the hay.
[Frank sighs]
My cancer has spread.
The doctors aren't giving me
much time anymore.
What?
When did you find out?
You've been fighting this
for 20 years.
There's nothing else
that they can do?
There's no other medicine?
They can't do anything else?
[emotional acoustic music plays]
You can't leave us right now.
I need you.
Beckett needs you.
[engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
Hey, Frank.
How are you doing?
-I'm fine, Paul.
-Come on up.
Have a chair.
Enjoy the view.
Beautiful evening
out here tonight.
Oh, I knew that
you would be here.
Oh, yeah.
I understand the love
you have for your land.
I'm pretty fortunate, uh...
it's a blessing,
I just, uh,
hope my grandkids
and their grandkids,
and everybody
for the next generations
get to enjoy it like I have,
you know?
Well, that's what I want
to talk to you about.
I just come
from the doctor and...
um, things don't look good.
The cancer's spread to my bones.
So, what are they saying?
They-- What's--
what's the plan or--
What do they think
is all happening?
I--
I just have to be smart about it
and make sure-- make sure
everybody's taken care of.
Um, boy, what can I do
to help, Frank?
Or, you know, is there
something that can be done,
or does your family--
Everything okay with
your family and stuff or--
Have you talked to them?
I'm just worried
about my horses, Paul.
They almost were extinct
at one time
and I just ain't gonna
let that happen again.
I can't blame you, Frank.
You've put too much into it.
I don't know if you,
uh, spoke to anybody else
about this
or anything, you know,
have you contacted
anybody like Christine or...
Oh, they need a home
and I'm looking for a 50 year
lease for these horses
on your land, um...
that's what I want
to talk to you about.
Boy.
That's a--
that's a big commitment.
They uh...
um, man I hope--
I don't even know
if I'm gonna be
around 50 years.
I'm probably
gonna have to...
depend on my grandkids
and my kids
to carry that on,
but you know I'm gonna
have to talk to Barb
and see what they
have to say about it.
If I'm here I'll be
glad to do it, but uh...
you know there's other--
others things
could come up, you know?
Yeah.
After me...
they'll have no place to go.
These horses.
[gravel crunching]
[horse snorts]
Yeah, you guys.
This is your home.
[truck engine rumbling]
[door clicks open & close]
-[Paul] I'm home!
-Paul!
You're home earlier than usual.
[Paul]
Yeah, I thought I'd get home
a couple hours earlier tonight.
It's 9:30 already,
so, what's happening?
Not too much.
Good to see you.
Good to see you.
What are you up to?
-Reading my book.
-All right, perfect.
It was a little dirty
out there today. Dusty.
[sighs]
Oh, it's good to sit down.
One of them days.
How was your day?
[Barb] I had a good day.
How about you?
[Paul] Frank heard
from his doctors and uh,
the cancer's into his bones.
[birds chirping]
A lot to uh,
just have them there.
And-- and the exposure that
they, uh, will be bringing
I mean, [indistinct].
Okay, stop here.
You're gonna have to drive it.
Can you drive?
Can you close the hood?
Can you push that?
[indistinct]
Not yet.
-[door clicks open]
-[woman] We're here.
Hi! Come on in.
-[girl] Hi, mom.
-Hello.
Hi.
What's up?
Oh, we just wanted
to talk to you about something.
Fit in your car.
-[kid exclaims]
-Oh!
Well, I got to go
talk to your mother
so, you guys all,
I'll catch you later.
-Come on, guys.
-Okay. See you guys.
-Have a good day.
-Bye, Grandpa!
-See you, Paul.
-This way.
-[Paul] Hi, guys.
-Hi.
-How are you guys doing?
-Good.
[Paul sighs]
So, what's this about?
Well, thanks
for coming girls.
Uh, last night,
Dad shared some
very upsetting news with me
and we wanted to let you know
what's happening
down at the farm.
Okay, so what's going on?
Is everyone okay?
Frank got news
from his doctor and physicians
he works with
that they uh...
His cancer he has
spread to his bones.
They don't know
how long he has,
but it doesn't sound good.
The big thing is is when
Frank is gone...
these horses
are going to be homeless.
He's looking at us...
to do 50 year commitment
with our farm and ranch
to take care
of these horses.
50 years is a really long time.
That's a big commitment.
Yeah. You're talking about
affecting the next
two or three
generations of our family.
These horses
are gonna end up homeless.
I don't know. I think we should
try or do something.
Paul, you can't
expect the girls
to make a commitment
like that.
They've done...
so much for me.
You guys don't even understand
how much they've helped me.
Dad, I don't think
anybody's denying that.
We just have our own
careers and families that
we need to be
looking out for too.
The thought of those
beautiful Nokota horses
being homeless
is gut-wrenching.
But, I don't know
if this is a problem
that you can fix.
I think this is a time
when you need
to put your family first.
And the time.
The time commitment
that this takes.
I think about how much
you're down at the farm now
and this on top of it.
The kids want to see you.
Your grandkids
want to be around you.
And I feel like
every time they say,
"Mom, is Grandpa
going to be there?"
I have to say,
you're down at the farm.
They just want to be
around their grandpa.
Well...
I think we're going to
make a decision here today.
I'm not sure what to do.
I don't want to take
from the kids.
I don't want to take
from you guys.
I don't know what to do.
[birds chirping]
[woman]
And ask her to stop.
[phone chiming]
Awesome!
How did that feel?
[Christine]
Oh, it's Frank.
I was just about
to call you.
[Frank]
Hey, Christine.
I just got to share
some big news with you.
[woman]
Look at that. Awesome!
[Christine] What?
[woman]
Let's do that again.
Try to be little bit
more balanced this time.
Mom, are you okay?
No, it's Frank.
The doctors
haven't given him much time.
Erin, is it okay if we end
the session early today?
Yeah.
Is it the Nokota horse Frank?
[Christine]
Yeah, it is.
What's going
to happen to his herd?
Where are they gonna live?
I don't know what's going
to happen to his herd.
[birds chirping]
[printer whirring]
[cellphone ringing]
-Hey, Brock.
-[Brock] Frank.
Do you have my money
or do I need to come
take your black horse
as part of the payment?
I'll get yo-- I'll get you
your money, I promise.
Okay.
I run a business
here too, Frank.
You have until the end
of the week to pay me my money
or I'm gonna come
and get your horse.
All right.
[hammer thudding]
So, how's this going, Ben?
Oh, pretty good.
I'm almost
finished up here and...
Look what I found
on Frank the other day.
You won't believe this.
Here.
-[Ben] Yeah, I know.
-[Paul] That's cool.
[Ben] I didn't know that Frank's
been fighting his whole life
-to save this horse breed.
-[Paul] Yeah.
Heck, him and Leo they, uh...
started this back in the '70s
after they got back out
of the service and stuff
and they have been,
you know, like,
breeding them, feeding them,
nurturing them, um...
getting this herd back
to a state of survival.
You know, so--
What's so special
about these horses though?
Oh, they're real people horses.
[hooves beating]
[horse neighing]
[hooves beating]
-[Lacy groans]
-[Christine] Good job.
Say hi to Indie
at the end.
[Lacy groans]
Lacy is doing so well.
I'm thrilled.
[Lisa]
Ah, I can tell.
It's been amazing
watching the changes in her.
We've seen so many
improvements in Lacy.
Great. That's great.
-Thank you so much.
-You're welcome.
There is one thing
that I've been so excited
to talk to you about.
Um, her dad and I
have been talking about
getting her a Nokota horse.
-Oh my gosh, that's awesome!
-Yeah.
Great. Well, whatever I can do
to help you make that happen,
that's wonderful.
We definitely know we want
to get the horse from Frank.
First of all,
Frank will be thrilled,
because you know,
every horse placed right now
means the world to him.
Um, its been really rough
the last couple of years.
-I understand.
-Mhm.
Yeah. Oh, Lacy.
Come here, sweetheart.
I love this girl.
Gonna have your own--
[Christine] Aw. It's going to be
a great journey for you guys.
Oh.
[whispering]
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
[Lisa]
I love this girl.
Good job!
Yeah.
[muffled conversation]
[muffled] Nice.
Right to me. Perfect.
That was really good.
All the way around.
Good job!
Slide to me. Perfect.
Perfect.
That was really good!
-Good job.
-Good boy. Thank you.
[Christine] I know,
that was fantastic!
[father] Good job, buddy.
Good job.
[horse snorting]
Hey, Brock.
Frank, I need you
to sign this.
It's a bill of sale
for the horse
for partial payment of the money
you owe me for the hay.
I promise you,
I'll get it to you somehow.
[Brock]
I've given you enough time.
Please,
he's the only friend I have.
No. I really want that horse.
-I could use him.
-[horse neighing]
Don't come to me
to buy hay ever again.
[horse snorting]
[horse snorting]
He loves apples.
[horse snorting]
[truck engine revving]
[wind howling]
[melancholy
guitar instrumental]
[music fades]
So, I looked
at the weather forecast, hun,
and it's supposed to be
pretty chilly out there,
so, make sure you pack
some long sleeve shirts.
[laughs]
So, the three of you are going
to put your heads together
and try to come up
with a solution for the horses?
That's the main reason
I'm going out there.
Um...
We gotta-- we gotta
figure something out
for these horses, uh--
You know, but if we
don't figure this out...
I got a bad feeling.
Well, I'll be thinking
of the three of you
while you're brainstorming
and hoping for the best.
It's gonna be a big chore.
[footsteps echoing]
[keyboard clicking]
[outdoor ambiance]
[tractor engine rumbling]
[engine puttering]
[metal clanking]
Here, let me do it.
I can do it myself.
I ain't no cripple.
I know you're not a cripple
and I'm not trying
to give you sympathy, I just--
I can get it done faster.
[metal clattering]
It's totaled.
You're gonna have to call Paul.
If not, how the heck
am I gonna make hay
when you're at a fundraiser
in Pennsylvania?
[cellphone ringing]
[phone keeps ringing]
-Paul here.
-[Frank] Hey, Paul.
We can't travel
to the fundraiser today.
Some of my shit machinery
broke down here
and I gotta get
my hay down, so...
any chance I could come
and borrow some of yours?
[Paul] That's a shame
I was looking forward
to seeing you
at the fundraiser.
But yeah, I got a tractor here
and I can get that
hooked up on that rig,
and I'll throw the keys in it.
[chuckles]
All right, Paul.
I'll talk to you later.
Thanks. Bye.
He said okay?
[cellphone ringing]
Hello?
Hey, Frank!
How are you?
I'm fine,
Christine, and you?
I'm doing great, I just
wanted to give you a call
'cause everybody here is excited
about the new horses coming.
How are they doing?
My tractor broke down
and I won't be able to make it
to the fundraiser on time.
We'll be there
with the horses a day later.
Oh, yeah Frank, you know,
it sounds important.
Um, you know what,
I actually do have to run
because I have
another session coming up.
Can I give
you a call after that?
All right, Christine.
Love you.
[Christine]
Love you too, Frank.
Bye.
[outdoor ambiance]
[horse snorts]
[birds chirping]
[horse trailer clanking]
[Frank]
Tractor ready to go, Paul?
[Paul] I'm one step
ahead of you this time, Frank.
I got everything in the back
of your truck already.
How about you?
[Frank] I had packed
the day before already.
I hope Christine's okay
with the fact
that we're late
for the fundraiser.
Maybe we should have
left sooner,
you know um,
she'll understand, you know?
We're doing the best we can.
[guitar instrumental playing]
[trailer door clattering]
[door rumbles]
[birds chirping]
[distant chuckling & moaning]
Oh!
Hey, hey.
[man grunting faintly]
[father] Give it back, buddy.
Give it back.
[Lacy moaning]
[Christine]
We're so proud of you, Lacy.
[Lacy moaning]
[birds chirping]
[Christine] Here you go.
Peter, I'll be right back.
You finally made it!
Hey, Frank.
Hey, Christine.
How are you?
[Christine laughs]
Hey! Wait a minute, wait!
Where's Paul?
Oh, he decided
at the last minute
-he couldn't make it.
-Oh, no.
[chuckles] We were all looking
so forward to seeing him.
Shoot. Oh, wait a minute,
I should've known better.
[laughs]
Hi, Paul.
-Good to see you.
-Good.
-How are you doing?
-Oh, good.
-How was your trip in?
-Not bad.
-Okay.
-Good drive.
-Pretty drive.
-Yeah.
How's things
out here for you guys?
Um, good,
I'm a little exhausted,
but um, you know,
it's all good.
I mean this is--
this is the time of year.
So, you had
a big event last night.
Yeah, we did.
We had our annual
fundraiser here.
So, how'd the fundraiser go?
Um, honestly, Frank,
it could've been
a little better.
Um, this has been
a tough year for everybody,
I think,
but uh, you know,
we're not gonna give up,
you know, we'll keep going.
You know, it's a--
It may be a small portion,
but, you know, it means a lot
to the people out here.
Yeah.
It's really appreciated,
you know, like you said.
Good or bad.
It always covers a portion
of what we use out there.
[Lisa]
These horses are amazing!
He is so beautiful.
[Christine] Yeah.
[Lisa]
Your horse is here, Lacy!
Oh, wow!
Wow!
[distant horse neighing]
[Lacy moans happily]
You can play with
them tomorrow, Lacy.
[Lacy chuckles softly]
Thank you. Thank you.
You cannot imagine
how much these horses
have done for Lacy.
I wish we could do this
for so many more people.
-Yeah.
-Thank you.
Um, if you guys
have a minute, uh...
it seems like Donna in town
and I'd really like
to introduce you guys
Um, if you can stay
an extra day.
Uh, Donna has
a very generous spirit
and has a huge heart
for these horses
and I think it would be
an important time
to sit with her,
um, if you can.
Yeah, it's good
for the horses and me.
You know,
I have the time, yeah.
Okay. Great. Thanks.
[Paul] No problem with me.
Whatever it takes.
[Christine] Okay.
-[crickets chirping]
-[Lacy groans]
Hey, Lacy.
You wanna go in?
[Lacy groaning]
Should we go in together?
[gate creaks open]
[horse snorts]
[Lacy groans]
Here we go, buddy.
Here we go.
You'll be next, buddy.
Lacy, honey,
we have to go now.
We'll come back soon, okay?
[gate creaks open]
[Lacy moans]
[Lacy groans]
Michael. Michael.
Michael. Michael.
Michael.
[Lacy groans & laughs]
[pleasant guitar instrumental]
-[Paul] Hi, Christine.
-Hey, hi, Paul.
-How are you today?
-Great!
-Here sit down.
-Frank, it's your chair.
So, Christine, just out here
having some time to yourself?
Yeah. It feels good.
-Here's Donna. Hey, Donna.
-[Paul] Wow.
[Donna] Hey, have any
room for me up there?
[Paul]
Hi, how are you doing?
-Good. You must be Paul.
-I am.
So glad to meet you.
[Donna]
Hi, Frank. How are you?
I'm fine.
Nice to see you Donna.
Same here.
You know,
I've heard you've, uh, done
a lot for the Nokota
horses already,
you know, and, uh,
it's greatly appreciated,
but there's a lot
to get done out there yet.
You know, we could use
some help out there.
Paul, I don't know
if you know that I have
14 Nokotas and I know
how much work it takes.
I would love
to come and help you.
It's really appreciated,
so, thank you.
You know, we all want to help,
um, that's why I'm so happy
that Donna and Paul are here
and maybe we can come up
with a plan
while they're in town.
I had spoken
to Paul already about
a 50-- At least a 50 year
commitment on some land, but...
you know, it's just
we need land.
I know, Frank,
maybe now's the time
that we-- I let you know
that my one daughter...
She just wants me
to have more time with them
and her kids...
and my grandkids so, uh...
you know, this is a thing
that isn't gonna help.
My other daughter doesn't know
if she wants to commit her kids
and their kids
for three generations to do this
and they have no say
on the matter.
And at this point...
um, there really
isn't a plan.
My God, Christine.
What are we gonna do?
We have to do something.
I hate this.
You guys gotta let me help.
[Christine] Frank, you've been
doing this for 40 years,
helping the Nokota horses.
It's our turn
to do our part.
Paul, is all this gonna fit?
Uh, well, if it doesn't...
you're gonna have to bring it
to Montana or North Dakota
or where you want to go with it
all by yourself.
-[Christine chuckles]
-How does that sound?
Christine doesn't go out
west in the winter time.
Oh, Christine.
-Whoa!
-[Christine laughs]
Frank, we have the fundraiser
to thank for all this hay.
I know it's not much but...
Well, I know it's not enough,
but I'm very grateful for it,
and unfortunately
I'm going to need a lot more,
but every little bit's
gonna help.
[Christine]
I know.
All right,
that one you bring.
[Christine] Okay, that one I'll
put in the back of my truck.
[laughter]
[metal clanking]
But, I gotta tell you,
I cannot stop thinking about
these 300 horses and
what's gonna happen to them.
I don't know
what would happen to this herd.
[Donna] Paul's in
the same position I am.
I know he wants to help,
but I understand
300 horses are huge,
and that's a huge
family commitment,
and they can't do it,
so I'm not sure what to do.
They need our brains
to come together
and figure something out.
The last thing I want to see
is these horses
are going to slaughter.
They've been there for us
and I can see it
on a therapeutic level
more than ever.
I feel like it's the least
we can do for them.
Christine,
that's what I want to do too.
I wanna do this
at my ranch in Colorado.
[footsteps crunching]
[outdoor ambiance]
When will Grandpa be here?
Yeah, Mom.
How long do we have to wait?
Pretty soon, guys.
[boys] Okay.
[Paul]
Home sweet home.
[kid 1]
Hey, Grandpa.
[kid 2] Hey, Grandpa.
We missed you.
[door shuts]
-Hey, hun, how you doing?
-Good to see you.
Hey, Frank,
you need help with anything?
No, I'll be okay.
See you later.
All right, you take care.
I'll see you.
I'll give you a call.
How'd the fundraiser go?
[Paul sighs]
Oh, boy.
It was horrible.
I don't know
what he's gonna do.
What can we do to help him?
I don't know.
I don't know.
Grandpa, I'll take care
of Frank's horses.
Me too!
[engine humming]
[scissors click]
Hi.
[both groaning softly]
Can I get you
something to eat, honey?
You must be so tired.
Or maybe you want
to clean up first?
The fundraiser
didn't go so well.
Why? What happened?
It went so well last year.
I'm not sure, just not that
many people showed.
We'll make it work.
You always make it work, hun.
Why don't you clean up
and relax a little bit?
It'll be okay.
[hooves beating]
[Paul] Hey Ben,
come over here.
We're going to break
the ice in this area
where the horses come down.
So, they don't have to be
in the middle here,
and, uh,
it'll be safer for them.
-So...
-Yeah.
Paul, seriously.
What happened in Pennsylvania?
As you know,
the fundraiser
didn't go well, you know,
and, uh...
everybody's, uh,
kinda holding back.
Nobody has any extra money
with the times are.
Are they gonna be
homeless when he passes?
I don't see a solution yet.
The more I read
about these "kill buyers",
the more worried
I get about Frank's horses.
Yeah. Have you seen
Frank's hay piles?
Yeah, it's very low.
Yeah.
He doesn't get a break.
It's been going on
his whole life.
[axe clanks]
[engine idling]
[wind howling]
[somber guitar instrumental]
[brakes screeching]
[Beckett]
I missed you, Grandpa!
[Frank groans]
I missed you too, buddy.
-Hi, hun.
-[Krista] Hi, guys.
Dad, how was your trip?
How was your trip, Dad?
I'll get your money somehow.
I need to pay Paul first.
You've always figured it out.
I know you'll get me my money.
What is that?
That's my journal.
Everything I know
about the horses in here
and you care these
horses in the future.
It's about time
he let somebody else help.
I'll take care
of the horses for you, Grandpa.
[Frank chuckles]
[hooves beating]
[Frank sighs]
[indoor ambiance]
Just in time.
Honey.
After all these years...
you think we made
the right choice
in getting a larger VA check
and not doing
your full cancer treatments?
We needed all the money
we could get
to help save these horses.
And who will save
the horses now?
[slow guitar instrumental]
[horse neighs]
[narrator]
November 19th, 1971.
At the age of 19,
Frank Combs returned
from serving
in the Vietnam War
an addict with PTSD.
Surviving at home
in the United States
became a battle for Frank.
To make matters worse,
the exposure to Agent Orange
led to his cancer diagnosis.
Frank was looking to make
something out of his life.
He and his brother, Leo,
decided to buy
the Nokota horses
from the Theodore Roosevelt
National Park.
Frank instantly realized
these Nokota horses
were special
in the way
they behaved around humans.
These horses, after all,
were descendants of Chief
Sitting Bull's horses.
They were treated like family
by the horse-centered culture
of the Hunkpapa tribe.
Which allowed them
to interact with humans
unlike any other breed.
Frank healed
from the addictions
and felt that he could
better cope with his PTSD
when he was around these
special, [indistinct] horses.
Today, Frank has the largest
Nokota herd in the world.
He continues to protect them
and their legacy.
[slow country music plays]
[horse neighs]
[hooves rumbling]
Yeah, Frank, I think
it's time to move them horses.
[horses neighing
in the distance]
Let's do it
in the morning.
[horse neighs]
[crickets chirping]
[clock ticking]
[sheets rustling]
[clock ticking]
[pill bottle rattles]
[paper rustling]
[car beeping rhythmically]
[car engine rumbles]
[horse neighs]
[trailer rumbles and creaks]
[car beeping]
[horses stomping]
Good morning.
How are you doing?
I'm doing fine.
You, uh, ready
to round them up?
Get them down
to that soft pasture?
Oh, yeah.
Well, let's get ''er done.
We got, uh,
a lot of day left.
[trailer lock rattles]
[horses neighing]
This way. This way.
C'mon. Let's go.
[horses trotting]
[horse neighs]
[herd rumbles past]
[horse neighs]
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[horse neighs]
[Frank] I just
talked to Christine
the other day and...
uh, told me she's got
three students
that want Nokotas
of their own
and this way at least
I know they'll have a good home
and, uh...
we'll just haul them with us
when we go out
to the fundraiser.
That sounds like
a good plan.
[clears throat] Um,
before we go to the fundraiser,
you have time
to sit with me and a, uh,
do a little paperwork
and we can figure out, uh...
um, a bill
for where you're boarding
horses on my land.
It's been about three
or four months
since we did that
and, uh,
you know, there's just
a lot of expenses
with equipment
and supplies, and
you know, hired help,
everything, you know,
just to get a little money
would be real handy right now
before I head out that way.
[Frank] I promise you, Paul,
my next VA check
will go
to my bill towards here.
[Paul]
I appreciate that.
[Frank] I wish
hay supplier Brock
was as understanding
as you are.
[birds chirping]
[wooden gate creaks]
[ducks quacking]
[Christine]
Hey, buddy.
[clears throat]
[horse neighs]
[Christine]
C'mon. Here you go.
[ducks quacking]
My little friend.
Yeah, come on.
-[wings flapping]
-Oh! [laughs]
Come on, bud.
[ducks quacking]
[whispers] Buddy, hi!
How are you?
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
[chuckles]
[horse blusters]
[car engine rumbles]
[loud breathing, moaning]
Lacy, honey,
we're going to have fun
with the horses
at Christine's today,
-right, honey?
-[Lacy moans]
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[Christine]
Here they come.
-[Lisa] Christine?
-Hey, Lisa!
[Lisa] Hi!
We spoke on the phone.
Yes, nice to meet you!
Thank you, you too.
And this is Lacy.
Hi, Lacy!
[Lisa] Lacy, we're here
to have fun with the horses.
Well, I'm sorry
we're a tad early,
so if you want
I can pull up
-and wait in the car?
-You know what?
We can get started
with the session
if you want to
go ahead down and, uh,
park and just meet me
in the ring.
Sounds great.
[Lacy inhales and groans]
-[Lacy groaning]
-[seatbelt clicking]
[Lisa]
This is going to be fun, honey.
[birds chirping]
[Lisa] Lacy?
It's her gloves,
she forgot her gloves.
-I'm going to go get them.
-[Christine] Okay. Okay.
It's okay, Lacy, mommy's
going to get your gloves.
-Uh-oh. Okay.
-[Lacy screaming]
Hey, Lacy.
[Lacy screaming louder]
Honey, it's okay.
It's okay.
-Okay, okay.
-[Lacy cries]
-Ah.
-[Lacy stops crying]
[birds chirping]
[Lisa]
It's okay.
Do you want to pet Rabbit?
-It's okay.
-Time to visit with Rabbit?
Oh!
There you go.
So, if she has them
with her she's--
Once she's got them on her,
she'll be okay.
-Got it. Mm-hmm. Okay.
-[Lacy moans]
It's okay, baby.
-Here you go.
-There.
All good.
Comfort. [laughs]
-[birds chirping]
-Oh.
[Lacy groans]
[Lacy whimpers]
[Lisa]
Say hello to Rabbit?
[Christine] He would love
to say hello to you.
[birds chirping]
[door creaking]
[horse breathing loudly]
[birds chirping]
[gentle guitar music plays]
[horse blusters]
[apple crunching]
[apple crunching]
[music fades]
[horse blusters]
[hooves pattering]
Hello.
-Dad inside?
-[horse blusters]
-Hey, Krista.
-Morning, Dad.
Oh, just fixing stuff.
-Where's Beckett?
-He's at home with his dad.
What's going on
with the money again?
This is the second time
you've called me this year
to ask for money.
[sighs]
I promise I'll pay you.
Right after
Christine's fundraiser.
I'm sorry I gotta keep
borrowing from you...
but I have to pay Paul.
[Krista]
I thought this was for Brock.
I have to pay Paul first.
Without Paul's land,
there's nowhere
for the horses to go.
So, I'll pay Brock
after Christine's fundraiser.
My entire childhood
I've watched you borrow money
to take care of these horses.
But, what have you gotten
in return?
It's time to take care
of yourself now.
When's the last time
you were at the doctor?
I was there yesterday
for my monthly chemo.
You know how I get afterwards.
[Krista]
I know it's tough.
I'm late for work.
I gotta go.
Oh, Brock called me.
He was asking if maybe
you could sell Otto to him
for payment of the hay?
You need to get a hold of him.
[tractor engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
So, are we going to
rebuild all of the dams?
Well, we'll see
how much time we got.
You know, see what
the weather does.
But, uh, yeah, we're gonna try
to get them all done.
Yeah, I know,
that's why I'm saying,
we're already combining
late at night--
[laughs] Yeah,
well that's one of the jobs,
but the other job is,
we gotta take care
of these horses.
'Cause this has gotta be
about six feet deeper here,
to make sure
the water lasts all winter.
Those horses are gonna need it.
[slurping]
[cellphone ringing]
Who's that calling you
this early in the morning?
Just one of them
telemarketers.
[door clicks open and shut]
[Jen]
Hey, y'all.
[Jen groans]
Studs are fed.
So, you ready to go make hay?
You're on your own today, Jen.
Frank's babysitting Beckett.
-I am?
-Yeah.
Great, so we'll have
to call Brock again for hay.
I don't get to spend
much time with my grandson.
We'll get 'er done
one way or another.
You're the boss.
[exhales sharply]
Don't get all upset at me
if there's not
enough hay this year.
[tractor rumbles]
[metal creaking]
[metal clanging]
[engine stops]
[sighs] Dang it!
My gosh!
Why can't we just get
some better equipment?
[Beckett yelling]
I got you!
[Beckett talks indistinctly]
[Frank] I got it.
I got it. I got it.
[Beckett]
I got it in my boot.
[Frank]
I see that.
[Beckett talks indistinctly]
[Frank]
Mama's still there.
[car honks]
[Beckett] Mom!
Mommy! Mom! Mom!
Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!
[Beckett laughs]
[Beckett babbling]
-[kiss smacks]
-[Krista] Love you!
Love you.
Brock called me today.
Why aren't you answering
his phone calls?
[Beckett blabbering]
[Krista]
Okay, buddy, we gotta go.
[Krista]
See you, Dad. Love you.
Bye.
-[Beckett talks indistinctly]
-[car door slams shut]
[horse neighs]
[emotional guitar music plays]
Morning, Otto.
You and I are not as young
as we used to be.
Not only that,
but our herd is growing and...
so are their needs.
How about you and I go
check up on them herd, hm?
Wanna go with me?
I'd love to have you, buddy.
[Frank sighs]
Love you.
[hooves pattering]
[pattering grows louder]
[grass rustling in the wind]
[metal clanking]
Jordan and I
could've done this.
I seen that
hair hanging on the fence,
that got pulled out
of them horses.
Hope that
didn't hurt them much.
[Paul] Yeah.
-That structure ready?
-Yeah.
Okay, Paul.
Paul, I don't know
any other landowners
who do all the fencing
themselves.
-You know?
-[metal rattling]
Just trying to figure out
what your love is
for the horses
that we're out here
doing Frank's work.
Is this
the silent treatment now?
[Paul]
We got work to do.
When you send us out
for the cattle
and the cattle break fences,
you send me and Jordan
out by ourselves.
But for the horses,
you want to be here.
What's so special
about these horses, Paul?
I'll tell you what, Ben.
Let's just get this job done...
get down to the yard
and we'll load that [indistinct]
up with grain.
Let's load them tools up.
We got work to do.
All right.
-There you are.
-Thanks.
Truck's over here, Paul.
-[Paul] Got everything?
-Yeah.
[Paul]
All right.
-[man] Touch it.
-[Christina] Oh! There you go!
[Christina]
Good job!
-Move the bucket.
-[man] Touch it.
Doing really good.
She loves you. Touch it.
[man] Listen, buddy,
we have to take off.
There's somewhere
we need to go.
[men exclaiming]
[Christina]
You're doing really well.
-Touch it.
-[man] Touch it.
-[Michael chuckling]
-[Christina] Oh!
-Amazing!
-Hey.
-She really loves you.
-[he groans]
-It's okay. Okay.
-You're a total horseman.
-Michael's friend.
-Yes, absolutely.
-We'll be back to see her.
-No.
This is not the last time
you will see her.
-I promise.
-No. No.
It's okay. It's okay.
You did so good.
-Gina's Michael's friend.
-[Michael laughs]
Yeah? Yeah?
Yeah! How about it?
-Gina's Michael's friend.
-Yeah.
-You did good, brother.
-Gina is Michael's friend.
Yup. She loves you.
[Michael gasps]
Amazing.
He's doing great with this.
He really is.
We're going to do
so much more.
Oh, good, good.
He loves it.
He looks forward to it
every time.
-Good!
-Yes.
-Good.
-So--
[Christina chuckles] Oh.
We looked forward to it,
right, Mikey?
-You did good, brother.
-[laughs] Oh. Yeah.
'Cause Gina is Michael's friend.
[giggles]
-[man laughs]
-Good job.
[Christina] You have
a great rest of your day.
-[Christina laughs]
-[man] Thank you.
[Michael gasps and chuckles]
[man] You did really good.
I'm very proud of you.
[Michael chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[car engine rumbles]
[Christina]
Where's our friend, Rabbit?
[Lacy inhales sharply]
[Lacy gasps]
[Lacy groans]
[Christina] Good girl!
[birds chirping]
[Lacy gasps]
I think Nebba is starting
to really bond with Lacy.
She seems-- Lacy seems
really comfortable with her.
I can't tell you
how happy it makes me.
We have seen
absolutely amazing changes
happening with Lacy.
[Christine]
That's great,
and you'll continue
to see improvement.
I can't always predict
what's going to happen
in the session,
but, um, it's-- it's really
kind of magical to watch.
I didn't have
a choice with Lacy,
but what made you
choose this path?
-[horse blusters]
-[Lacy groans]
[Lacy continues groaning]
[hooves rumbling
and horses neighing]
[horse blustering]
[Frank sighs]
All right,
[indistinct] Paul's money.
Now, we just gotta find
Brock's money.
[hooves pattering]
[car beeping rhythmically]
[cellphone ringing]
[muffled ringing continues]
[ringing stops]
[car engine rumbles]
[Paul]
All right.
[car engine stops]
Frank's here.
[Paul]
Oh. Okay.
[clears throat]
Let's get this done, slick.
Yeah. I'm tightening.
Hey, Paul.
Frank, I'll tell you...
your horses got it made here.
They keep us working all day.
Actually, they were once
Sitting Bull's horses.
They were almost wiped out once.
I'm just taking care of them.
You mean I am.
[Paul laughs]
[Paul]
Oh, Jesus.
He acts like he's a worker,
you know?
What are you up to today?
Oh, I just came by to give you
your monthly checks.
Sorry, I'm late.
Hey, I appreciate it, man.
That, uh, come in handy.
Got a lot of bills and...
a lot of upkeep out here
and stuff, so--
but, uh...
takes a lot
to take care of everything.
By the way,
horses are looking amazing.
[Frank] Good.
Really great
set of horses and, uh...
you're doing a good job
of making them survive
and keeping them organized.
A lot of people
will appreciate it
many years down the road, so.
Nice set of horses
you got there.
Actually,
they're Sitting Bull's horses.
Oh, boy. [laughs]
When does it end?
Gotta get that last word in
all the time,
so, you know?
All right, I got
some work I gotta get done.
I'll see you guys later.
I can't blame you
for leaving there, Frank.
Take care. Have a good day.
Hey, Brock.
Why are you
not answering my calls?
I hate
chasing you down for money.
I-- I promise you,
I'll pay you soon.
Did you think
I was gonna forget about it?
I could take him
as part of the payment.
He's-- he's part of my family.
He's part of me.
Are you going to need
more hay this winter?
Make sure I get my money, Frank.
[tractor engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
[tractor door creaks]
[outdoor ambiance]
[crickets chirping]
You know, Otto,
you're the only one
that gets apples.
Buddy, you know,
my VA shots are getting...
harder and harder on me
every month.
-[Otto blusters]
-I know.
[hooves pattering
on the ground]
[car beeps rhythmically]
[car engine rumbles]
[birds chirping]
[Jen] I say, Frank, you're late.
Is everything okay?
Huh.
[car rumbles off]
Listen, Frank.
Are we haying today?
Uh, you are.
I've got to go to...
the veterans' hospital
to get my monthly cancer shot.
Oh. Well, why are you here?
Paul called and said
he thought there was
an injured colt out here.
Oh, well,
I could have come by myself.
I know, but I--
I need to see it myself.
I need to check it myself.
[horse neighs in the distance]
[truck engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
[door creaks open]
[nurse] Mr. Kuntz,
the doctor will see you now
to go over your lab results.
[melancholic guitar plays]
[engine stops]
[banging]
[Otto blustering]
[door creaks open]
Hey, honey.
How was your doctor visit?
[door slams shut]
What'd he say?
Honey, you're scaring me.
What did the doctor say, honey?
What are we going to do
about our horses?
The horses
will be taken care of.
We'll make sure of that.
Please tell me
what the doctor said.
[clock ticking]
[water sloshing]
[horse neighing]
[birds chirping]
[horse blusters]
[Lacy moans]
[Lacy panting]
[Christina]
She's getting so much better.
[Lacy moaning]
[Michael chuckles]
[Lisa]
We are so proud of her.
[girl] Mom!
[Lacy] My! My!
My! My! My! My!
-My! My! My!
-[Michael grunts]
[Lacy screaming]
My! My!
-[Michael crying]
-[Lacy screaming]
[Lisa] It's o--
it's okay, it's okay.
[Michael wails]
Buddy, it's okay.
It's okay.
-[Michael wails]
-[Lisa] It's okay.
[wailing and screaming
continues]
[Lisa]
It's okay.
You're okay.
It's okay.
[Michael gasps]
-[Michael sniffles]
-It's okay, buddy.
[emotional instrumental plays]
Hey, Mom, are you okay?
[Christine] I mean, I am worried
about the client.
[girl]
It's helping them.
Everything is going well,
I think.
[music fades]
[birds chirping]
[clears throat]
[clock ticking]
Hey.
-Morning.
-Morning.
What are you writing?
Oh, I just want to make sure
we don't lose any information
about the Nokota horses.
That's a good idea.
[sighs] What am I gonna
tell the girls?
I don't want them to worry.
They need to know, Frank.
You have to tell them.
Krista's coming in this morning.
I'd like to be able to talk
to Paul and Christine first.
The horses have been
on Paul's land
for a very long time.
Do you think
he'll let them stay?
I would hope so.
Without land...
there aren't many options
for the horses.
We should tell
Krista everything.
[pen scraping]
[car engine stops]
[Krista]
I don't know why you guys
like mornings in this barn.
We need to talk.
I don't have
any more money to loan you.
That's not
what you're here for.
Dad, I don't have it.
It would've helped
if you would have asked Paul
for more time.
Then, you could've taken
the check I gave you
and settled with Brock
for the hay.
[Frank sighs]
My cancer has spread.
The doctors aren't giving me
much time anymore.
What?
When did you find out?
You've been fighting this
for 20 years.
There's nothing else
that they can do?
There's no other medicine?
They can't do anything else?
[emotional acoustic music plays]
You can't leave us right now.
I need you.
Beckett needs you.
[engine rumbles]
[engine stops]
Hey, Frank.
How are you doing?
-I'm fine, Paul.
-Come on up.
Have a chair.
Enjoy the view.
Beautiful evening
out here tonight.
Oh, I knew that
you would be here.
Oh, yeah.
I understand the love
you have for your land.
I'm pretty fortunate, uh...
it's a blessing,
I just, uh,
hope my grandkids
and their grandkids,
and everybody
for the next generations
get to enjoy it like I have,
you know?
Well, that's what I want
to talk to you about.
I just come
from the doctor and...
um, things don't look good.
The cancer's spread to my bones.
So, what are they saying?
They-- What's--
what's the plan or--
What do they think
is all happening?
I--
I just have to be smart about it
and make sure-- make sure
everybody's taken care of.
Um, boy, what can I do
to help, Frank?
Or, you know, is there
something that can be done,
or does your family--
Everything okay with
your family and stuff or--
Have you talked to them?
I'm just worried
about my horses, Paul.
They almost were extinct
at one time
and I just ain't gonna
let that happen again.
I can't blame you, Frank.
You've put too much into it.
I don't know if you,
uh, spoke to anybody else
about this
or anything, you know,
have you contacted
anybody like Christine or...
Oh, they need a home
and I'm looking for a 50 year
lease for these horses
on your land, um...
that's what I want
to talk to you about.
Boy.
That's a--
that's a big commitment.
They uh...
um, man I hope--
I don't even know
if I'm gonna be
around 50 years.
I'm probably
gonna have to...
depend on my grandkids
and my kids
to carry that on,
but you know I'm gonna
have to talk to Barb
and see what they
have to say about it.
If I'm here I'll be
glad to do it, but uh...
you know there's other--
others things
could come up, you know?
Yeah.
After me...
they'll have no place to go.
These horses.
[gravel crunching]
[horse snorts]
Yeah, you guys.
This is your home.
[truck engine rumbling]
[door clicks open & close]
-[Paul] I'm home!
-Paul!
You're home earlier than usual.
[Paul]
Yeah, I thought I'd get home
a couple hours earlier tonight.
It's 9:30 already,
so, what's happening?
Not too much.
Good to see you.
Good to see you.
What are you up to?
-Reading my book.
-All right, perfect.
It was a little dirty
out there today. Dusty.
[sighs]
Oh, it's good to sit down.
One of them days.
How was your day?
[Barb] I had a good day.
How about you?
[Paul] Frank heard
from his doctors and uh,
the cancer's into his bones.
[birds chirping]
A lot to uh,
just have them there.
And-- and the exposure that
they, uh, will be bringing
I mean, [indistinct].
Okay, stop here.
You're gonna have to drive it.
Can you drive?
Can you close the hood?
Can you push that?
[indistinct]
Not yet.
-[door clicks open]
-[woman] We're here.
Hi! Come on in.
-[girl] Hi, mom.
-Hello.
Hi.
What's up?
Oh, we just wanted
to talk to you about something.
Fit in your car.
-[kid exclaims]
-Oh!
Well, I got to go
talk to your mother
so, you guys all,
I'll catch you later.
-Come on, guys.
-Okay. See you guys.
-Have a good day.
-Bye, Grandpa!
-See you, Paul.
-This way.
-[Paul] Hi, guys.
-Hi.
-How are you guys doing?
-Good.
[Paul sighs]
So, what's this about?
Well, thanks
for coming girls.
Uh, last night,
Dad shared some
very upsetting news with me
and we wanted to let you know
what's happening
down at the farm.
Okay, so what's going on?
Is everyone okay?
Frank got news
from his doctor and physicians
he works with
that they uh...
His cancer he has
spread to his bones.
They don't know
how long he has,
but it doesn't sound good.
The big thing is is when
Frank is gone...
these horses
are going to be homeless.
He's looking at us...
to do 50 year commitment
with our farm and ranch
to take care
of these horses.
50 years is a really long time.
That's a big commitment.
Yeah. You're talking about
affecting the next
two or three
generations of our family.
These horses
are gonna end up homeless.
I don't know. I think we should
try or do something.
Paul, you can't
expect the girls
to make a commitment
like that.
They've done...
so much for me.
You guys don't even understand
how much they've helped me.
Dad, I don't think
anybody's denying that.
We just have our own
careers and families that
we need to be
looking out for too.
The thought of those
beautiful Nokota horses
being homeless
is gut-wrenching.
But, I don't know
if this is a problem
that you can fix.
I think this is a time
when you need
to put your family first.
And the time.
The time commitment
that this takes.
I think about how much
you're down at the farm now
and this on top of it.
The kids want to see you.
Your grandkids
want to be around you.
And I feel like
every time they say,
"Mom, is Grandpa
going to be there?"
I have to say,
you're down at the farm.
They just want to be
around their grandpa.
Well...
I think we're going to
make a decision here today.
I'm not sure what to do.
I don't want to take
from the kids.
I don't want to take
from you guys.
I don't know what to do.
[birds chirping]
[woman]
And ask her to stop.
[phone chiming]
Awesome!
How did that feel?
[Christine]
Oh, it's Frank.
I was just about
to call you.
[Frank]
Hey, Christine.
I just got to share
some big news with you.
[woman]
Look at that. Awesome!
[Christine] What?
[woman]
Let's do that again.
Try to be little bit
more balanced this time.
Mom, are you okay?
No, it's Frank.
The doctors
haven't given him much time.
Erin, is it okay if we end
the session early today?
Yeah.
Is it the Nokota horse Frank?
[Christine]
Yeah, it is.
What's going
to happen to his herd?
Where are they gonna live?
I don't know what's going
to happen to his herd.
[birds chirping]
[printer whirring]
[cellphone ringing]
-Hey, Brock.
-[Brock] Frank.
Do you have my money
or do I need to come
take your black horse
as part of the payment?
I'll get yo-- I'll get you
your money, I promise.
Okay.
I run a business
here too, Frank.
You have until the end
of the week to pay me my money
or I'm gonna come
and get your horse.
All right.
[hammer thudding]
So, how's this going, Ben?
Oh, pretty good.
I'm almost
finished up here and...
Look what I found
on Frank the other day.
You won't believe this.
Here.
-[Ben] Yeah, I know.
-[Paul] That's cool.
[Ben] I didn't know that Frank's
been fighting his whole life
-to save this horse breed.
-[Paul] Yeah.
Heck, him and Leo they, uh...
started this back in the '70s
after they got back out
of the service and stuff
and they have been,
you know, like,
breeding them, feeding them,
nurturing them, um...
getting this herd back
to a state of survival.
You know, so--
What's so special
about these horses though?
Oh, they're real people horses.
[hooves beating]
[horse neighing]
[hooves beating]
-[Lacy groans]
-[Christine] Good job.
Say hi to Indie
at the end.
[Lacy groans]
Lacy is doing so well.
I'm thrilled.
[Lisa]
Ah, I can tell.
It's been amazing
watching the changes in her.
We've seen so many
improvements in Lacy.
Great. That's great.
-Thank you so much.
-You're welcome.
There is one thing
that I've been so excited
to talk to you about.
Um, her dad and I
have been talking about
getting her a Nokota horse.
-Oh my gosh, that's awesome!
-Yeah.
Great. Well, whatever I can do
to help you make that happen,
that's wonderful.
We definitely know we want
to get the horse from Frank.
First of all,
Frank will be thrilled,
because you know,
every horse placed right now
means the world to him.
Um, its been really rough
the last couple of years.
-I understand.
-Mhm.
Yeah. Oh, Lacy.
Come here, sweetheart.
I love this girl.
Gonna have your own--
[Christine] Aw. It's going to be
a great journey for you guys.
Oh.
[whispering]
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
[Lisa]
I love this girl.
Good job!
Yeah.
[muffled conversation]
[muffled] Nice.
Right to me. Perfect.
That was really good.
All the way around.
Good job!
Slide to me. Perfect.
Perfect.
That was really good!
-Good job.
-Good boy. Thank you.
[Christine] I know,
that was fantastic!
[father] Good job, buddy.
Good job.
[horse snorting]
Hey, Brock.
Frank, I need you
to sign this.
It's a bill of sale
for the horse
for partial payment of the money
you owe me for the hay.
I promise you,
I'll get it to you somehow.
[Brock]
I've given you enough time.
Please,
he's the only friend I have.
No. I really want that horse.
-I could use him.
-[horse neighing]
Don't come to me
to buy hay ever again.
[horse snorting]
[horse snorting]
He loves apples.
[horse snorting]
[truck engine revving]
[wind howling]
[melancholy
guitar instrumental]
[music fades]
So, I looked
at the weather forecast, hun,
and it's supposed to be
pretty chilly out there,
so, make sure you pack
some long sleeve shirts.
[laughs]
So, the three of you are going
to put your heads together
and try to come up
with a solution for the horses?
That's the main reason
I'm going out there.
Um...
We gotta-- we gotta
figure something out
for these horses, uh--
You know, but if we
don't figure this out...
I got a bad feeling.
Well, I'll be thinking
of the three of you
while you're brainstorming
and hoping for the best.
It's gonna be a big chore.
[footsteps echoing]
[keyboard clicking]
[outdoor ambiance]
[tractor engine rumbling]
[engine puttering]
[metal clanking]
Here, let me do it.
I can do it myself.
I ain't no cripple.
I know you're not a cripple
and I'm not trying
to give you sympathy, I just--
I can get it done faster.
[metal clattering]
It's totaled.
You're gonna have to call Paul.
If not, how the heck
am I gonna make hay
when you're at a fundraiser
in Pennsylvania?
[cellphone ringing]
[phone keeps ringing]
-Paul here.
-[Frank] Hey, Paul.
We can't travel
to the fundraiser today.
Some of my shit machinery
broke down here
and I gotta get
my hay down, so...
any chance I could come
and borrow some of yours?
[Paul] That's a shame
I was looking forward
to seeing you
at the fundraiser.
But yeah, I got a tractor here
and I can get that
hooked up on that rig,
and I'll throw the keys in it.
[chuckles]
All right, Paul.
I'll talk to you later.
Thanks. Bye.
He said okay?
[cellphone ringing]
Hello?
Hey, Frank!
How are you?
I'm fine,
Christine, and you?
I'm doing great, I just
wanted to give you a call
'cause everybody here is excited
about the new horses coming.
How are they doing?
My tractor broke down
and I won't be able to make it
to the fundraiser on time.
We'll be there
with the horses a day later.
Oh, yeah Frank, you know,
it sounds important.
Um, you know what,
I actually do have to run
because I have
another session coming up.
Can I give
you a call after that?
All right, Christine.
Love you.
[Christine]
Love you too, Frank.
Bye.
[outdoor ambiance]
[horse snorts]
[birds chirping]
[horse trailer clanking]
[Frank]
Tractor ready to go, Paul?
[Paul] I'm one step
ahead of you this time, Frank.
I got everything in the back
of your truck already.
How about you?
[Frank] I had packed
the day before already.
I hope Christine's okay
with the fact
that we're late
for the fundraiser.
Maybe we should have
left sooner,
you know um,
she'll understand, you know?
We're doing the best we can.
[guitar instrumental playing]
[trailer door clattering]
[door rumbles]
[birds chirping]
[distant chuckling & moaning]
Oh!
Hey, hey.
[man grunting faintly]
[father] Give it back, buddy.
Give it back.
[Lacy moaning]
[Christine]
We're so proud of you, Lacy.
[Lacy moaning]
[birds chirping]
[Christine] Here you go.
Peter, I'll be right back.
You finally made it!
Hey, Frank.
Hey, Christine.
How are you?
[Christine laughs]
Hey! Wait a minute, wait!
Where's Paul?
Oh, he decided
at the last minute
-he couldn't make it.
-Oh, no.
[chuckles] We were all looking
so forward to seeing him.
Shoot. Oh, wait a minute,
I should've known better.
[laughs]
Hi, Paul.
-Good to see you.
-Good.
-How are you doing?
-Oh, good.
-How was your trip in?
-Not bad.
-Okay.
-Good drive.
-Pretty drive.
-Yeah.
How's things
out here for you guys?
Um, good,
I'm a little exhausted,
but um, you know,
it's all good.
I mean this is--
this is the time of year.
So, you had
a big event last night.
Yeah, we did.
We had our annual
fundraiser here.
So, how'd the fundraiser go?
Um, honestly, Frank,
it could've been
a little better.
Um, this has been
a tough year for everybody,
I think,
but uh, you know,
we're not gonna give up,
you know, we'll keep going.
You know, it's a--
It may be a small portion,
but, you know, it means a lot
to the people out here.
Yeah.
It's really appreciated,
you know, like you said.
Good or bad.
It always covers a portion
of what we use out there.
[Lisa]
These horses are amazing!
He is so beautiful.
[Christine] Yeah.
[Lisa]
Your horse is here, Lacy!
Oh, wow!
Wow!
[distant horse neighing]
[Lacy moans happily]
You can play with
them tomorrow, Lacy.
[Lacy chuckles softly]
Thank you. Thank you.
You cannot imagine
how much these horses
have done for Lacy.
I wish we could do this
for so many more people.
-Yeah.
-Thank you.
Um, if you guys
have a minute, uh...
it seems like Donna in town
and I'd really like
to introduce you guys
Um, if you can stay
an extra day.
Uh, Donna has
a very generous spirit
and has a huge heart
for these horses
and I think it would be
an important time
to sit with her,
um, if you can.
Yeah, it's good
for the horses and me.
You know,
I have the time, yeah.
Okay. Great. Thanks.
[Paul] No problem with me.
Whatever it takes.
[Christine] Okay.
-[crickets chirping]
-[Lacy groans]
Hey, Lacy.
You wanna go in?
[Lacy groaning]
Should we go in together?
[gate creaks open]
[horse snorts]
[Lacy groans]
Here we go, buddy.
Here we go.
You'll be next, buddy.
Lacy, honey,
we have to go now.
We'll come back soon, okay?
[gate creaks open]
[Lacy moans]
[Lacy groans]
Michael. Michael.
Michael. Michael.
Michael.
[Lacy groans & laughs]
[pleasant guitar instrumental]
-[Paul] Hi, Christine.
-Hey, hi, Paul.
-How are you today?
-Great!
-Here sit down.
-Frank, it's your chair.
So, Christine, just out here
having some time to yourself?
Yeah. It feels good.
-Here's Donna. Hey, Donna.
-[Paul] Wow.
[Donna] Hey, have any
room for me up there?
[Paul]
Hi, how are you doing?
-Good. You must be Paul.
-I am.
So glad to meet you.
[Donna]
Hi, Frank. How are you?
I'm fine.
Nice to see you Donna.
Same here.
You know,
I've heard you've, uh, done
a lot for the Nokota
horses already,
you know, and, uh,
it's greatly appreciated,
but there's a lot
to get done out there yet.
You know, we could use
some help out there.
Paul, I don't know
if you know that I have
14 Nokotas and I know
how much work it takes.
I would love
to come and help you.
It's really appreciated,
so, thank you.
You know, we all want to help,
um, that's why I'm so happy
that Donna and Paul are here
and maybe we can come up
with a plan
while they're in town.
I had spoken
to Paul already about
a 50-- At least a 50 year
commitment on some land, but...
you know, it's just
we need land.
I know, Frank,
maybe now's the time
that we-- I let you know
that my one daughter...
She just wants me
to have more time with them
and her kids...
and my grandkids so, uh...
you know, this is a thing
that isn't gonna help.
My other daughter doesn't know
if she wants to commit her kids
and their kids
for three generations to do this
and they have no say
on the matter.
And at this point...
um, there really
isn't a plan.
My God, Christine.
What are we gonna do?
We have to do something.
I hate this.
You guys gotta let me help.
[Christine] Frank, you've been
doing this for 40 years,
helping the Nokota horses.
It's our turn
to do our part.
Paul, is all this gonna fit?
Uh, well, if it doesn't...
you're gonna have to bring it
to Montana or North Dakota
or where you want to go with it
all by yourself.
-[Christine chuckles]
-How does that sound?
Christine doesn't go out
west in the winter time.
Oh, Christine.
-Whoa!
-[Christine laughs]
Frank, we have the fundraiser
to thank for all this hay.
I know it's not much but...
Well, I know it's not enough,
but I'm very grateful for it,
and unfortunately
I'm going to need a lot more,
but every little bit's
gonna help.
[Christine]
I know.
All right,
that one you bring.
[Christine] Okay, that one I'll
put in the back of my truck.
[laughter]
[metal clanking]
But, I gotta tell you,
I cannot stop thinking about
these 300 horses and
what's gonna happen to them.
I don't know
what would happen to this herd.
[Donna] Paul's in
the same position I am.
I know he wants to help,
but I understand
300 horses are huge,
and that's a huge
family commitment,
and they can't do it,
so I'm not sure what to do.
They need our brains
to come together
and figure something out.
The last thing I want to see
is these horses
are going to slaughter.
They've been there for us
and I can see it
on a therapeutic level
more than ever.
I feel like it's the least
we can do for them.
Christine,
that's what I want to do too.
I wanna do this
at my ranch in Colorado.
[footsteps crunching]
[outdoor ambiance]
When will Grandpa be here?
Yeah, Mom.
How long do we have to wait?
Pretty soon, guys.
[boys] Okay.
[Paul]
Home sweet home.
[kid 1]
Hey, Grandpa.
[kid 2] Hey, Grandpa.
We missed you.
[door shuts]
-Hey, hun, how you doing?
-Good to see you.
Hey, Frank,
you need help with anything?
No, I'll be okay.
See you later.
All right, you take care.
I'll see you.
I'll give you a call.
How'd the fundraiser go?
[Paul sighs]
Oh, boy.
It was horrible.
I don't know
what he's gonna do.
What can we do to help him?
I don't know.
I don't know.
Grandpa, I'll take care
of Frank's horses.
Me too!
[engine humming]
[scissors click]
Hi.
[both groaning softly]
Can I get you
something to eat, honey?
You must be so tired.
Or maybe you want
to clean up first?
The fundraiser
didn't go so well.
Why? What happened?
It went so well last year.
I'm not sure, just not that
many people showed.
We'll make it work.
You always make it work, hun.
Why don't you clean up
and relax a little bit?
It'll be okay.
[hooves beating]
[Paul] Hey Ben,
come over here.
We're going to break
the ice in this area
where the horses come down.
So, they don't have to be
in the middle here,
and, uh,
it'll be safer for them.
-So...
-Yeah.
Paul, seriously.
What happened in Pennsylvania?
As you know,
the fundraiser
didn't go well, you know,
and, uh...
everybody's, uh,
kinda holding back.
Nobody has any extra money
with the times are.
Are they gonna be
homeless when he passes?
I don't see a solution yet.
The more I read
about these "kill buyers",
the more worried
I get about Frank's horses.
Yeah. Have you seen
Frank's hay piles?
Yeah, it's very low.
Yeah.
He doesn't get a break.
It's been going on
his whole life.
[axe clanks]
[engine idling]
[wind howling]
[somber guitar instrumental]
[brakes screeching]
[Beckett]
I missed you, Grandpa!
[Frank groans]
I missed you too, buddy.
-Hi, hun.
-[Krista] Hi, guys.
Dad, how was your trip?
How was your trip, Dad?
I'll get your money somehow.
I need to pay Paul first.
You've always figured it out.
I know you'll get me my money.
What is that?
That's my journal.
Everything I know
about the horses in here
and you care these
horses in the future.
It's about time
he let somebody else help.
I'll take care
of the horses for you, Grandpa.
[Frank chuckles]
[hooves beating]
[Frank sighs]
[indoor ambiance]
Just in time.
Honey.
After all these years...
you think we made
the right choice
in getting a larger VA check
and not doing
your full cancer treatments?
We needed all the money
we could get
to help save these horses.
And who will save
the horses now?
[slow guitar instrumental]