Here's some heart-warming news that is strangely unsurprising: while filming his part for the upcoming Cohen brothers movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, actor Liam Neeson reportedly encountered a horse who remembers him from their work together on a previous film.

Neeson told the story at the New York Film Festival, according to Page Six's Cindy Adams:

I play a traveling impresario. We filmed in New Mexico. The odd thing is the horse who pulls my wagon knew me. You won't believe it. I'm saying this horse knew me. He actually remembered me from another Western we made a while back.

Though Neeson didn't identify the previous film he was in with the horse, many suspect 2014's A Million Ways to Die in the West as the most likely contender.

You may be wondering how Neeson even knew the horse recognized him. Well, he explained:

He whinnied when he saw me, and pawed the ground.

Sounds legit! But still, some wondered why this particular horse and Neeson would have such a strong bond that the horse would remember the actor years later.

It turns out, however, Neeson is a friend to all horses:

I love animals. When we worked together before I took special care of him. I fed him treats. Gave him apples.

Fans online were delighted by the story (though not particularly surprised):

Even Russell Crowe chimed in, telling a similar horse story!

Actors and their animal co-stars often become the best of friends!

New rule: From now on, all news must concern Liam Neeson and the horses that recognize him.

H/T - Vulture, The Guardian