Caught at the moment of extension, the life sized horse sculpture is a study of motion, stopped in a moment of time.

Sculptor Charles Elliott (Elliott of London) is known for his use of upcycled horse shoes and traditional blacksmithing techniques — he has a series of Stag and Bull sculptures using traditional blacksmithing and modern metal manipulating techniques.

But this is the first in a planned series of equestrian sculptures that he is working on with his wife, international show jumper Abbe Elliot.

It’s not the first time Elliott’s sculpture has reflected his wife’s interests. With his brother, James, a farrier, he produced a hand forged horse head light. The interest

in this sculptural hand-forged ironwork prompted Elliott to expand his business and create a range of iron and metalwork.

He invested in a range of machines, some more than 120 years old, and now produces a range of sculptures taking advantage of both traditional and modern metal working techniques.

The new horse sculpture has tapped into Charles’ wife, Abbe’s, expertise.

Charles says “I would speak to Abbe 2-3 times a day whilst working on my sculptures, to ask her about details of muscle layouts and conformation, whilst looking through piles of close ups of horses in motion. She is very critical of our work and a perfectionist when it comes to the horses, metal or real life!”

You can tell — the sculpture is very much alive.