Once sleek and fast, Metro Meteor was a star on the Belmont and Saratoga racetrack. He was bred as a racehorse and was sold to ObviouslyNYStables as their first racehorse. Considered to be one of the fastest turf spinners, Metro won his first race at the age of two. Metro began experiencing bone chips in his knees and underwent two surgeries to have them removed. Each time, he recovered and returned to the racetrack. In total, Metro won eight races in his career. However, his knees became bad and eventually Metro was forced to retire in 2009 from his successful racing and riding career.
As a now retired racehorse with knee problems, Metro was adopted by a couple from rural Maryland-Ron Krajewski, a local artist, and his wife Wendy. The couple, had a partnership with Renpher Stables, that owned a small percentage of racehorses which included Metro. Because Metro’s knees were injured, he could not be ridden like the couple had originally expected. Although Ron got about 2 years of trail riding out of Metro, the horse soon lost the flexibility in his knees that he once had. After having an x-ray taken, Metro was diagnosed with having bone growth in his knees. This would lead to the complete locking of his knees within the next 2-3 years. This meant riding Metro was forever over.
However, that did not stop this former racetrack star from excelling at a new and unusual hobby. Ron remembers, “I would sit outside Metro’s stall and he would hang his head out and constantly bob it up and down. I would think to myself, if I can never ride him, maybe I can teach him to hold and paint brush and put all that head bobbing to good use.” Ron taught his beloved horse how to pick up and use a paintbrush in order to create abstract art. Ron claims that this is a hobby that he loves to share with Metro, and that this is a truly great way of spending time together. Ron chooses the color schemes, and Metro does all of the paintings and brush strokes. With a paintbrush clenched in his teeth, Metro sweeps it across the canvas while bobbing his head.
Metro’s talent has not gone unnoticed. He has currently sold 40 large paintings and 150 smaller paintings. In addition, this horse star has been featured on ABC21 News, The Paulick Report, The Gettysburg Times, The Frederick News Post, and The Fox 45 News Baltimore just to name a few. As owner Ron states, “Metro is now the best selling artist at Gallery 30 in Gettysburg. Donating 50% of the profits to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Metro so far has raised over $25,000 to help retired racehorses train for new careers and find new homes.”
To help donate to this program, please visit http://www.horseadoption.com/
Although Metro will never see his racetrack days again, he is keeping busy with his new painting career, which has become quite successful. Metro has many adoring fans that are dying for their own mural! In fact, Metro even has a waiting list for his murals. If you are interested in buying a mural or checking out some of Metro’s artwork, visit www.paintedbymetro.com.
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