Team Unison
by Al Bourassa
Title
Team Unison
Artist
Al Bourassa
Medium
Photograph - Photographic Artworks
Description
There is nothing prettier than a a matched team of heavy horses pulling in perfect unison. This is only the back half of an eight-hitch that was being assembled. PS work applied.
This artwork is derived from a photograph taken July 1, 2010, Canada Day, at the Bar U Ranch near Longview, Alberta, Canada, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The Bar U is now a part of Parks Canada and was once one of the largest breeding stables of Percheron horses in the world.
The Percheron is a breed of draft horses that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. Percherons generally stand between 16.2 and 17.3 hands (66 to 71 inches, 168 to 180 cm) high, although the breed has an outer range of 15 and 19 hands (60 to 76 inches, 152 to 193 cm). They average around 1,900 pounds (860 kg), although the top weight is around 2,600 pounds (1,200 kg). They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are sketchy, the ancestors of the breed were present in the valley by the 1600s. They were originally bred for use as a warhorse. Over time, they began to be used for pulling stagecoaches, and later for agriculture and hauling heavy goods. Gallipoly sired Jean le Blanc, a founding stallion of the Percheron breed, foaled in 1830. Today, all Percherons trace their ancestry to this stallion.
Purebred Percherons are used for forestry work and pulling carriages, as well as under-saddle work, including competition in English riding disciplines such as show jumping.
A Percheron mare from Australia, having pulled 3,410 pounds (1,550 kg) over 15 feet (4.6 m), holds the unofficial world pulling record.
I do hope you enjoy my work.
Comments are graciously accepted.
Favoring is greatly appreciated and will garner a response.
Purchases are fantastic!
Uploaded
June 8th, 2011
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Viewed 207 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 03/27/2024 at 8:14 AM
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Comments (5)
Karol Livote
Great capture, Al!
Al Bourassa replied:
Thanks Karol. Isn't it amazing that all their legs are in exactly the same position!