While we all like to think our horses have a talent, few would say they were artistic. But one woman from Indiana claims that her Fresian is a talented painter, with a “unique equine energy”.

Artistic team

Adonna Combs, who is an artist herself, first discovered Justin’s abilities with a paintbrush when she noticed him pick up her riding whip and use it to ‘draw’ in the surface of her sandschool. She had the idea of attaching a paintbrush to it to see what he would create on a canvas.

“I began working with him the same way that I train him for riding by using natural horsemanship communication techniques, including positive reinforcement,” Adonna explained. “Once he understood what I was asking he began having fun and looking forward to every painting session. To my surprise we have become an artistic team and he has become quite a painter.”

A bold statement

While Adonna chooses the colours and brushes, the brushstrokes are all Justin’s ‘work’, which she says are bold, confident and playful and reflect the nine-year-old’s personality. 

Some of his work has already been bought by art dealers, fetching hundreds of dollars, and he has his own website where you can view – and buy – his work.