One of the primary reasons the film is regarded as "better" than standard genre fare is its narrative restraint. Unlike many children's movies of the era that relied on slapstick or over-the-top fantasy, A Menina e the Cavalo is grounded in realism.

The film has never had a proper international Blu-ray release. For decades, it survived via fifth-generation VHS rips on YouTube and Brazilian DVD bootlegs. In 2022, a restored 4K scan was shown at the Festival do Cinema Brasileiro in Paris. A Criterion Collection release is rumored but unconfirmed.

★★★★★ (5/5) Final rating (as a family film): ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) Final rating (as a work of art): ★★★★★ (5/5)

: Marcia’s attractive stepmother becomes fixated on Beto, eventually seducing him while they are at the farm.