 Great caution was taken for the scene where Faramir is dragged back  to Minas Tirith on his horse. The filmmakers were afraid that the  horse might suddenly start to run, dragging David Wenham (qv)  behind it so a release system was built into the saddle. Wenham held  a handle in his right hand, and if the horse started to run, he  could simply pull it and be released from the stirrup. Fortunately,  they ended up not needing it.