An ex-racehorse named Metro has contributed to its own life-prolonging treatments by becoming a professional artist. After noticing the horse liked to nod its head, his owner decided to put the habit to use. He taught the horse to hold a paintbrush. He loads the brush with paint, and Metro smears the paint randomly on a canvas. Metro’s Jackson Pollock style abstract paintings sell for hundreds of dollars. And, when the paintings sell, he contributes to an experimental treatment for his unsound knee. About half of the proceeds from his paintings goes to a charity looking after retired racing Thoroughbreds. Metro isn’t the only equine creating art, however. There are many talented artistic horses that create art and music.
Justin is a Friesian gelding originally destined to be a jumper. Justin liked to play with his rider’s whip and ‘scribble’ in the sand, which inspired her to tape a paintbrush to it. With his owner’s help, Justin either applies the paint to a canvas on the floor, or on a slight tilt on an easel. While most are abstract works, Justin has also completed a self-portrait. The works are finished with a hoof print, made by dipping the horse’s hoof in paint and placing on the painting. The paintings Justin made have sold for up to $1500. Justin holds regular exhibits where art and horse lovers can view and purchase his work. Prints of Justin’s paintings are also available.
Most artists dream of selling their art, and winning an art award is often a step in the right direction. The late Cholla won two art awards for his creations. The big mustang/QH cross started painting when he was 19 with a piece of paper tacked to a fence. His owner says he always liked to hold things in his teeth. So she taught him to hold a paintbrush. He painted until his death in 2006 at the age of 29. To his credit, along with many sales and exhibits on three continents, are two International Art Awards. In one Italian art competition, a bemused jury, after finding no reason why a horse couldn’t enter awarded one of Cholla’s painting Honor Mention of the Jury.
Other painting horses include DaVinci, two Paso Finos named Romeo and Juliet, Cheyenne, and thirty-four horses at the Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary. But not all artistic horses paint. Some have musical talents. The favorite instrument seems to be the keyboard. Sapphire, Murphy and a horse belonging to a friend of mine are all enthusiastic keyboard musicians. But there are guitar playing horses too. And at least one horse plays the flute--sort of. None have a hit single yet.
An ex-racehorse named Metro has contributed to its own life-prolonging treatments by becoming a professional artist. After noticing the horse liked to nod its head, his owner decided to put the habit to use. He taught the horse to ...
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