The Running of the Herd

 is the 52nd episode of The New Adventures of He-Man.

Sagitar must return to his home planet of Equinos to attend the Running of the Herd. The Galactic Guardians are unaware that the Evil Mutants have already beaten them to Equinos and are threatening the population to act as if nothing is wrong.

Plot Summary
On an expedition in the Starship Eternia, He-Man, Sagitar, Hydron and Flipshot accompany Gepple who is investigating the Solar Flares, that are the cause of the continued interruption of communication that they have been experiencing for some time. Gleep wonders why he was brought on the expedition and Gepple tells him that he needs a robot to help him in the expedition. Sagitar experiences pain in his head and is told by Hydron to go and get some rest. On his way back to the sleeping quarters, Sagitar has a vision of the annual Horse Lord “Running Of The Herd”. When he comes to, he realizes that he miscalculated the dates and what he was experiencing was the "Call Of The herd". Sagitar goes crazy and insists that they change course. After shouting out outrageous accusations, Sagitar begins to brawl with Flipshot and Hydron, forcing Gepple to order Gleep to use his Stun Ray. Before Gleep could fire the Stun Ray, He-Man enters the room and wrestles Sagitar to the ground, calming him.

After a few moments, Sagitar tells them that he has received the call for the “Running Of The Herd”. The “Running Of The Herd” is his home planet, Equinos, most important ritual. Sagitar explains that many years ago, the Horse Lords were once horses, who ran free through Equinos. As time went on, the horses eventually evolved into Horse Lords. The “Running Of The Herd” is a tradition that celebrates their heritage. If a Horse Lord does not return to Equinos for the tradition, they will perish. Immediately, Hydron and Flipshot change course and head to Equinos.

Meanwhile on the Moon Of Nordor, Flogg and Skeletor congratulate Staghorn for the information that his spy brought them, about the “Running Of The Herd”. Flogg orders Mutant Troopers riding Terrorclaws to board the Mutant Mothership. Flogg plans to be present when the Galactic Guardians arrive on Equinos.

On the Planet of Equinos, Besquita discusses to General Niquor, as to why Sagitar has not come, but is interrupted by a distress call from Captain Wilkin, warning that they are under attack. The Mutant Mothership has deployed a full-scale invasion on the Horse Lord's Air Field. Eventually, the Mutant Army takes over the Horse Lords. Skeletor and Flogg confront General Niquor and Besquita, telling them that they are after Sagitar, and they plan to be the welcoming party. Flogg threatens to destroy the entire planet if they notify the Galactic Guardians.

When the Galactic Guardians arrive, they are greeted by General Niquor and Besquita, who immediately seperates Sagitar from the otherss by putting them in separate Hover Cars. Besquita tells Flogg that he must allow Sagitar to fulfill his “Running Of The Herd”, before the Mutants attack. Flogg angerly agrees. When Besquita leaves, Flogg orders his troops to attack during the “Running Of The Herd”.

That night Besquita travels to General Niquor's home, where the Galactic Guardians are spending the night, warns them that the Mutants have taken over the planet and is preparing to attack them. Staghorn warns Flogg that Besquita has informed the Mutants of their plan and Flogg tells Slush Head, who has surrounded General Niquors home, to wait for he and Skeletor arrive, before they attack. Slush Head misunderstands and attacks right away. Slush Head's attack proves unsuccessful. When Flogg arrives, he launches another attack. Using the crystalline fuel from a damaged Terrorclaw, He-Man causes a large explosion destroying much of Flogg's army. Led by Captain Wilkin and Sagitar, the Horse Lord Army attack pushing Flogg's remaining forces back. Sagitar and Staghorn have a one-on-one battle, which ends up at a cliff side, where Sagitar throws Staghorn into the water below. Staghorn survives to fight another day.

The next morning, on the Plain of Oats, Sagitar and Besquita, join in with the “Running Of The Herd”.

Moral
Hydron warns Gepple to not run indoors.

Behind the Scenes

 * The plot element of Sagitar going crazy if he does not return to his home planet Equinos to attend a ritual that happens every 13 Telks is taken from the Star Trek episode Amok Time in which Spock reveals he must return home to Vulcan every seven years to perform Pon Farr.
 * Skeletor mockingly calls Captain Wilkin My Little Pony.
 * Adam of Grayskull does not appear in this story.

Errors

 * When the Guardians exit their Starship on the planet Equinos, Captain Hydron's arms and legs are flesh colored instead of their usual green.

Galactic Guardians

 * Flipshot
 * He-Man
 * Hydron
 * Sagitar

Scientists

 * Gepple

Allies

 * Master Sebrian (mentioned during moral only)

Evil Mutants

 * Flogg
 * Slush Head
 * Staghorn
 * Mutant Troopers

Evil Warriors

 * Skeletor

Others

 * Besquita (first and only Jetlag productions appearance)
 * Captain Wilkin (first and only Jetlag productions appearance)
 * General Niquor (first and only Jetlag productions appearance)

Technology

 * Gleep
 * Notation Robot
 * UR (mentioned)
 * Portable Vision Phone

Locations

 * Equinos
 * General Niquor's home
 * Plain of Oats
 * Primus
 * Titus
 * Titus Observatory
 * Nordor

Vehicles

 * Doomcopter
 * Hover Car
 * Mutant Mothership
 * Starship Eternia
 * Shuttle Pods
 * Terrorclaws
 * Terrortreads

Cast

 * Don Brown as Hydron and Gepple
 * Garry Chalk as He-Man
 * Ted Cole as Slush Head, Staghorn and Gleep
 * Campbell Lane as Skeletor and Sagitar
 * Scott McNeil as Flipshot
 * Doug Parker as various voices
 * Alvin Sanders as Flogg
 * Venus Terzo as Besquita