A PAINTING pony called Teddy has been showing off its artistic skills to visitors at Blenheim Palace’s new stables exhibition.
The 14-year-old chestnut roan is the 'mane' attraction at the exhibition where he is making regular weekend appearances throughout the August holidays.
The picture-perfect pony holds the paintbrush in his mouth and creates his abstract art on canvasses supplied by owner Charlotte Marshall who also runs pony therapy sessions for primary school children.
Teddy’s artistic career began in 2019 when Ms Marshall was contacted by a student at Oxford Brooke’s University who was looking to see whether she could teach a horse to paint.
She said: “Teddy has always been a very quick learner with a very sweet nature and he thrives on one-on-one attention.
“He was holding the paint brush by the end of the first session and ended up completing four portraits that were exhibited at the university.”
It is hoped the artworks Teddy completes during his residency at Blenheim will go on public display and help raise money for local animal-welfare charities.
Opened this year, the Stables Exhibition is an immersive and interactive experience in the Palace’s historic stable block showcasing the importance of horses at Blenheim through the centuries.
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