This painting is probably an early work, and one of a number of paintings of horses made by the artist at the time. Many of these were studies for the painting exhibited by Géricault at the Salon of 1812, the 'Cavalry Officer' (Paris, Louvre), which shows the influence of Rubens and Gros. While some of the studies are subdued in character, the distant storm and its effect on the horse add a note of drama into this painting.