Wouterus Verschuur's talent was recognized from an early age. His mentor, Pieter Gerardus van Os instructed him in the study and copying of the oeuvre of the celebrated 17th century horse painter Philips Wouwerman, in whose shoes Verschuur would follow. In 1828, at the age of only sixteen, Verschuur made his first public debut, exhibiting at the Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters. Only three years later, he solidified his reputation after receiving two gold medals in a row, in 1831 and 1832, at the Felix Meritis society in Amsterdam. Verschuur was well-respected and admired among his peers for his technical skill and also taught a number of highly successful artists, including Anton Mauve.

From the start of his career, Verschuur's Romantic scenes of horses were recognized as demonstrations of his great talent for depicting these animals in their rural environment. Verschuur's exceptional skills are on full display in the present work. The musculature of the horses and immaculate grooming are not only brilliantly observed but rendered with great care and attention to detail. In the centre of the composition Verschuur has depicted a team of workhorses, whose powerful strength is clearly perceptible through their size and form.