Monday, April 23, 2012

Study of a Carriage Horse

graphite on paper
7"x7"

This beautiful horse pulls a carriage around the Independence Mall area of Philadelphia.

I like the combination of the natural elegance of the horse as contrasted with its elaborate and heavy bridle. I hadn't thought about any controversy over the way these service horses are treated until I looked up "carriage horse" online and found many sites dedicated to banning the practice.

Added later: If you read some of the comments made about this drawing, one woman actually recognizes this horse and tells me he has a pretty nice life. I know nothing about it, so I probably shouldn't have mentioned the controversy at all. It's nice to know his name is Ben!

9 comments:

  1. I love your sketches Taryn. They are always so beautiful. And the controversy about carriage horses in the city is sickening. I've been trying to help get the word out as much as I can because I really think it should be stopped. Anyways. . . I'll go rant on my own blog instead of yours now. he he.

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  2. Amazing and wonderful. I love the one before this too. You just blow me away with your ability.

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  3. What a beautiful piece and a lovely subject! The horse is so nicely relaxed, with lowered head, droopy lower lip and lazy ears... it almost makes me a little sleepy! :) The attention to these details is just outstanding. I love it!

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  4. Taryn, your work is truly amazing! I must agree with Lisa.... the horse that you have drawn is in a beautiful relaxed state. The position of a magnificent draft horse who is content in doing the job that he was meant to do and doing it well. Just as you were given a gift from God, this horse was given a gift as well from God. He is also obviously loved by the human with whom he works with and not for!

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  5. That horse's name is Ben, and he's been a carriage horse in Philadelphia for 9 or 10 years. He's a wonderful horse who loves his driver... and doesn't love screaming kids! Loves his job though!

    Excellent work that I recognized him immediately. You should know that there is no "controversy" about carriage horses in Philadelphia or elsewhere - there are only facts and hype. The website you have linked to is hype. The facts are that Ben and his buddies receive excellent care and live long happy lives - complete with benefits, like daily housekeeping, endless salad buffet (all-you-can-eat hay), weekly laundry service (that harness doesn't clean itself), custom shoes, monthly pedicures, daily massages and shampoos, health care, 35-hour work week, dental plan, paid vacation, etc

    Carriage horses also get retirement at places like Blue Star Equiculture, founded for working horses by Philadelphia carriage drivers like myself.

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  6. Christina, I'm completely amazed that you recognized this horse. You sound caring and knowledgeable about this issue, while I know absolutely nothing. I didn't mean any offence and will take the link off.

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  7. Really beautiful work! I hope you pick other carriage horses as subjects in the future. They are living works of art!

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  8. Taryn, what an honest and humble response to Christina. A good artist and a good person :-)

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  9. This isn't Ben, this is Spot. Both horses work at the same stable, but I can tell by the slightly dished face and the style of bit. Really great drawing, btw we have a horse that is a model at PAFA.

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