Painting with Horses
Art, Connection, and the Joy of Creativity Together
My journey into painting with horses began not as a plan, but as a way to stay connected with a beloved friend.
When my Friesian horse, Douwe, became unsound and could no longer perform at the higher levels of dressage, I wanted to find a way to keep his brilliant mind active and our bond strong.
He was incredibly intelligent and curious — always eager to learn something new — so we used his trick training skills to begin painting.
What started as a playful experiment quickly became a form of creative expression for both of us.
Douwe learned to hold a brush and create strokes across the canvas.
Each painting carried his energy and personality, a reflection of his spirit and our friendship. 🖤
After Douwe passed away, I began teaching my other gelding, Rovandio.
With his own flair and sensitivity, Rovandio has truly taken equine art to the next level.
He’s painted live at events such as BreyerFest and Ibericon, and his artwork has found homes with collectors around the world. ⭐️
For me, painting with horses isn’t about the final piece — it’s about the process.
It’s a way to deepen trust, communication, and joy. ❤
It is an art form that reminds me that partnership isn’t about control, but about collaboration, curiosity, and having fun together.
Meet the Artists
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ROVANDIO
Sandra's special partner for Art on Horseback and he is an incredible artist himself!
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DOUWE
The special Friesian that started it all. From a troubled background to superstar status.
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NICO
Future superstar! Follow his journey as he learns the ropes and discovers his artistic talents.
New in the Gallery
Visit the online art gallery to see the latest creations from my horses. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, full of personality and expression.
Rovandio may be a master artist but he is still a horse…and LOVES grass! 💚 We don’t typically use a lot of green in our color palettes, but I wanted to let Rovy have a try.
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 48” x 1.5”
👉🏼 PURCHASE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING.
Original painting is located in Tallahassee, FL…delivery is possible if you live within 2-3 hours. Otherwise you can have this painted shipped to you. Please email Sandra at beginthedance@gmail.com to receive a quote.
Click here to watch video 1.
Click here to watch video 2.
Rovy has become quite the skilled artist…his brushstrokes are so expressive and his composition on this one is excellent. So many details to enjoy!
If someone had told me at that young age I would be painting with horses I think I would have been speechless. One of my driving motivations is to inspire others to think outside the box and pursue their dreams, no matter how many obstacles are in your path. I hope that Rovandio’s artwork inspires you to incorporate more imagination and magic into your daily life.
Your Investment Includes:
Certificate of Authenticity
Professional Images of Rovandio painting sent by email for you to print/share as you wish
Learn from Sandra
Teach Your Horse
How to Paint 🎨
Perhaps you have the next Picasso Pony?
A fun and creative way to connect with your horse!
Ever wondered if your horse could create their own masterpiece?
In this online course, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of teaching your horse how to paint — no prior trick training experience required!
You’ll learn three foundational tricks:
✨ Pick Up an Object
🎯 Target an Object
😊 Smile or Say “Yes”
Once your horse understands these skills, we’ll combine them into a fun and rewarding painting routine!
Each lesson is broken down into easy-to-follow steps you can practice in short 5–10 minute sessions — perfect for keeping training light, positive, and engaging.
Whether your goal is to spark creativity, deepen your partnership, or simply have fun together, this course will give you everything you need to start your own equine art adventure. 🎨