In the background of all of that, and the true heart of the story, is Ludwig's relationship with a handsome stable boy named Richard Hornig. (comicattack.net)
Reportedly, Arabian stable boys stored their saddles in damp, moldy areas because the moldy saddles prevented the development of saddle sores. (sciencemag.org)
In the opening moments of the film, Duvall discovers his youngest son (Franco) in the arms of the Spanish stable boy and threatens them both at gunpoint. (silverscreenriot.com)