Animals are much more sensitive and intelligent than we give them credit for; if you need any proof, look up “elephant painting” on YouTube. Actually, anything related to elephants on YouTube is generally amazing, because they are well known to be highly emotional and are even capable of grieving.

While Justin the horse isn’t the first to make art–my best friend has a beautiful painting done by a local Kentucky horse several years ago–he is the latest animal to emerge with a talent for art and an eye for color. Watching an animal achieve something that we’re only used to seeing humans do, seeing them create something that wasn’t there before…it will tug at the old heartstrings.

Though he’s from Indiana, Justin’s artwork will be auctioned off this weekend in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky.