Spirit: Riding Free – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Spirit: Riding Free

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2017

72%

WISE Score

Three girls, one wild horse, and a lot of wholesome Western adventures that won't make you reach for the remote.

Spirit: Riding Free

show

TV-Y7, 2017

72%

WISE Score

Three girls, one wild horse, and a lot of wholesome Western adventures that won't make you reach for the remote.

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Screenwise Verdict

Spirit: Riding Free is solid, safe, wholesome content for the elementary set—especially the horse-loving crowd. It hits all the right notes for friendship, girl empowerment, and animal bonds without any content concerns.

That said, it's not going to blow anyone's mind. The storytelling is predictable, the conflicts are gentle, and the Western setting is more "theme park" than historically interesting. It's the kind of show that's perfectly fine to have on, won't rot anyone's brain, and might actually inspire some outdoor play.

The IMDB rating of 6.5 feels about right—it's competent but not exceptional. If your kid is in that 6-8 year old sweet spot and loves horses, this will be a hit. If they're younger than 5, it might be slightly over their heads. If they're over 10, they've probably moved on to more complex fare.

Bottom line: A reliable, wholesome option that does exactly what it promises—no more, no less.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-9, particularly kids who love horses or are in that sweet spot of early elementary. Tweens will likely find it too simple and predictable, though younger horse-obsessed kids might hang on a bit longer.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models strong female friendship, kindness, and cooperation between three diverse friends. The bond between Lucky and Spirit emphasizes trust and respect for animals. Pacing is appropriate for the target age group without being overly chaotic. The show centers on positive values like loyalty, courage, and community in a small-town setting.

Imaginative

Built on the beloved Spirit franchise, the show invites kids into Western adventure scenarios with horses and frontier life. However, it's fairly formulaic episodic storytelling without particularly innovative or thought-provoking narratives. It encourages interest in horseback riding and outdoor exploration but doesn't push creative boundaries or offer deep world-building.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 7, and it's available in Netflix Kids mode. No concerning content flags—no violence, scary elements, inappropriate themes, or toxicity. It's predictable, gentle adventure fare. The Western setting is sanitized and conflict is minimal. Parents can confidently let kids watch without worrying about surprise content.

Enriching

Offers some lessons about friendship, responsibility, and animal care. The diverse friend group (city girl Lucky, organized Pru, creative Abigail) shows different personality types working together. However, the show is primarily light entertainment without significant cognitive challenge, complex ethical dilemmas, or deep character development. It's pleasant but not particularly thought-provoking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong female friendship at the center—three different personalities who genuinely support each other
Encourages interest in horses, nature, and outdoor adventure without the princess trappings
Diverse cast that normalizes different backgrounds and family structures in a Western setting
Safe, predictable content that younger elementary kids can watch independently
Builds on the beloved Spirit franchise for kids who loved the original movie

⚠

What to Watch For

Pretty formulaic—if your kid needs more narrative complexity, they'll outgrow this quickly
The Western setting is heavily sanitized (no real historical complexity or frontier hardship)
Might inspire relentless begging for horse riding lessons
Older elementary kids may find it too young and predictable

Conversation Starters

"Lucky moved from the city to a small town—what do you think would be hardest about that change?"
"The girls all have really different personalities. Which friend are you most like?"
"Spirit is a wild horse who chooses to be Lucky's friend. What do you think makes their relationship special?"
"If you could have any adventure like the ones in the show, what would you want to do?"

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