3 Heartland Actors Who Actually Live the Ranch Life

One of the reasons Heartland has such a dedicated fanbase is that the show feels authentic. The way the characters handle the horses and manage the ranch doesn't look like acting—and for good reason.

While many actors have to take a crash course in riding when they book a western, several of the Heartland leads were comfortable in the saddle long before they arrived on set.

Here are three cast members who live the lifestyle for real.

Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming)

It is genuinely difficult to tell where Amber Marshall ends and her character, Amy Fleming, begins. While Amy is the show's horse whisperer, Amber has been riding since she was four years old. She bought her first horse when she was ten, so stepping into the role felt completely natural.

Amber has admitted on the official Heartland blog that over the years, she and her character have essentially morphed into the same person.

She currently lives on a 100-acre ranch in southern Alberta, which is home to a massive list of animals: horses, cattle, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and even an alpaca. Fans of the show have actually seen her real pets on screen—her dog, Remi, plays Georgie’s dog, and her miniature horse, Talon, had a recurring role as Monty.

Alisha Newton (Georgie Fleming-Morris)

Alisha Newton grew up on our screens, but she also grew up as a rider. She spent time on her grandparents' farm as a toddler, but it was landing the role of Georgie that turned her into a serious equestrian.

She caught the bug for show jumping during filming and began competing professionally. She told Heels Down Magazine that it’s tough to balance her acting schedule with her competitive goals, but she makes it work.

Because she is so skilled, Alisha does the vast majority of her own stunts. When you see Georgie clearing high jumps in the show, that is almost always Alisha doing the riding herself. She has even given riding tips to her co-stars.

Shaun Johnston (Grandpa Jack)

Shaun Johnston plays the gruff patriarch of the family, and while he isn't as old as Grandpa Jack in real life, he shares the same roots. Johnston grew up on a working cattle ranch in Alberta, so he didn't need to learn how to look comfortable on a horse—he already was.

He also shares Jack’s love for music. Johnston is a singer-songwriter and has actually written some of the songs that Jack performs on the show.

And for a bit of trivia: That iconic mustache started out as a fake prop in the early seasons, but Johnston eventually grew it out himself. He also claims that in the entire history of the show, his character is the only one who has never fallen off a horse. Given his background, that isn't surprising.

When you watch Heartland, you aren't just watching actors pretend. Amy’s connection to the horses, Georgie’s jumping technique, and Jack’s cowboy demeanor come from real-life experience. That authenticity is exactly why the show has lasted this long.