The Atlantic
Stories of people and animals bringing comfort to one another are a dime a dozen on the internet. But every once in a while, an interspecies communion rises above the din. Ron Krajewski and his horse, Metro Meteor, are one such pair. The short documentary “My Paintbrush Bites,” premiering today on The Atlantic, tells their remarkable story—one of a reclusive failed artist who finds redemption in the most unlikely of places.
When Krajewski rescued Metro, the thoroughbred was on the brink of death. He had once been a successful racehorse, with eight winning races at the prestigious Belmont Park and $300,000 in prize money to his name. But severe injuries forced Metro’s stable to retire him. Krajewski, looking for an affordable horse for his wife to ride, bought Metro in the nick of time; had he not done so, the horse would surely have been sent to the slaughterhouse.
Shortly after they rescued him, though, the Krajewskis would discover just how severe Metro’s health problems were. Just one trail ride rendered him unable to walk. The vet gave him a year to live. And to make matters worse, the horse had an attitude; he would often bite or kick those who attempted to touch him.
“Everybody had said that Metro’s not going to amount to anything,” Krajewski says in the film. “Well, we found a skill for him, and he’s pretty good at it.”
Krajewski had always dreamed of being an artist, but his abstract paintings never sold. When he noticed Metro had an interesting tic—he would often bob his head up and down and side to side—Krajewski had what he terms a “crazy” idea. He taught Metro to hold a paintbrush. Using horse treats as a reward, he then taught the horse to touch his nose to the canvas.
“He went to town and just started painting,” says Krajewski. Read more: https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/580789/horse-artist/
“My Paintbrush Bites” was directed by Joel Pincosy and Joe Egender. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.
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I cry with horse stories. They are my FAVORITE thing in life. Horses keep me sane. Welding and painting keep me sane. My family keeps me half same. Laughs …
horse who paid medical bills by himself 😁👍
Aww
Such a lovely wonderful story, thanks for sharing <3
So happy to finally see this documentary. Ron and Metro have a special bond that doesn't come along every day. I would say three lives were forever changed the day that Ron and Wendy brought Metro home. If you liked this you should read Ron's book about Metro's story.
As Metro's farrier, I have known Ron & Wendy for years. They are good people, who love their animals and take excellent care of them, with the animal's happiness as the first priority. Ron took the time to know and love a difficult horse, and my heart broke for him when he had to let Metro go.
If a fallen-out racehorse can find its way back into a meaningful life and bite a paintbrush and create marvelous paintings out of it, then you who is reading this comment can still make a meaningful life for yourself and others around you too- it's never too late to make a difference!
I’ve actually seen other videos about this horse and family but this was really well done
oh my. I loved this.
What an honest and thoughtful person. Great video and story. Ourstanding. Thank you for sharing.
You did a great interview. You did a great thing for Metro. I know you want your parents approval and I wanted the same thing. I spent a lot of time alone too and feel like an outcast. But what matters most is how YOU feel about yourself. Love yourself. Be yourself. I came from an incredibly dysfunctional family. Many of us have. You are not who they say you are. You know yourself and if you don't, learn to know who you truly are and love yourself. It all starts there for all of us. Jiddu Krishnamurti: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
i got teary eyed, i love this bond that this human and horse share
Awww. I hope Ron reconsidered and adopted another throwaway racehorse. What a lovely story for the ages.
What a beautiful story
I'm presuming that that painting donkey is the source of that lone thumbs down.
Good stuff. Down to earth/heart-filled story. ~○~
Thank you Atlantic for this , and most, videos that you present. I look forward to all of them. Metro and his family is very touching to me. 🕊
I hate the art community.
That couple is lovely. 💕
Why does the Atlantic always put the supertramp song rudy?
I felt bad for the man – he always wanted to be an artist
But then the horse became better than him
Embrace oddness
Metro is best boy,hope he gets into art school💗
Loved Metro. Cried when he passed last year.
Better than Jackson Pollock….
First 😶