In a recent episode of Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast, Bobcat Goldthwait and Gilbert revealed that the horse used in the movie was subjected to cruelty, including being hit in the mouth and forced to sit in a dentist's chair (an unnatural position for a horse). Bobcat also recalled that the horse had diarrhea, which might indicate that the horse was sick during filming.

You can listen to the episode here: http://www.gilbertpodcast.com/bobcat-goldthwait/

I've never seen this movie, but now I will never watch it.