Horses, sponsored by companies, individuals and a few of the area's horse farms, have been transformed by artists into art, with themes and designs that express whimsy, elegance and a respect for the region's heritage. Unlike the pigs in Cincinnati's Big Pig Gig, none of Lexington's horses was cut in half, hollowed out to make room for a bench or fixed to the back wheels of a Mercedes. And certainly there are no winged attachments on these pieces of public art. Do not ride or touch. Yet people like to get close to this art.
Children try to climb on the horses' backs.
Promoters at the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council say they want people to get up-close to the horses as long as they do not damage the artwork. Barry Biggar, vice president of sales and marketing at the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau said his office is marketing the horses as another reason to come to Lexington. An employee told him most of the pictures were of the horses. The horses will grace downtown streets until Nov. 15. Then they move to Keeneland, where they will be auctioned like the real thoroughbreds sold for millions at the track each year.