Breyer Horse

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Breyer Animal Creations (or just Breyer), a division of Reeves International, is one of the oldest model animal companies to date. The company specializes in model horses, although various wildlife and domestic animal models have been made in the past. It's model horses are some of the most renowned model horses in the hobby, being as the models are both inexpensive and realistic. It manufactures well over 5 million models annually.

Each summer, the company holds a festival for model horse collectors called Breyerfest. The company also publishes its own magazine--Just About Horses or JAH for short.

Contents

[edit] History

Breyer Animal Creations was founded in 1950 in Chicago, IL., originally called Breyer Molding Company. They gained recognition when the company was assigned to create a horse statue (now known as the # 57 Western Horse) to adorn a mantel clock. Customers so liked the horse that they requested that Breyer produce just the horse. From there on out, Breyer has been a major leader in producing model horses.

[edit] Large Dealer Catalogs

Large dealer catalogs have been produced since 1954. 1955, 1956 & 1959 did not have catalogs, but '58 did and starting with 1960, one was done every year, or at least additions to catalogs were done. Sometimes the company would just produce a sheet or two to add to the previous year's catalog, rather than produce a whole other book if there weren't that many new models for the next season. See BREYER MOLDS & MODELS by Nancy Atkinson Young, published by Schiffer. http://www.schifferbooks.com She lists each catalog and box manual, along with almost everything else Breyer, in great detail. The company was in business before 1950 as a plastics injection molding company, and when a job came to them to produce a horse for a clock and/or lamp, shortly thereafter a whole new division was created, Breyer Animal Creations. There is only one 1954 known to exist besides the terrible copy at Reeves International that they won't let anyone see. The subsequent years are almost as scarce but can be found. Another 'model guide', although full of nice photos, is rampant with mistakes, the author is unattainable, and catalogs are listed in there that don't exist and with unrealistic prices of $30. The 1954 went for almost $600 when it came on the market.

[edit] Scales

There are five scales of models: Traditional or 1:9 scale(each model is around 8"H x 11"L), Classic or 1:12 scale (dollhouse; about 7"H x 5"L), Little Bits or Paddock Pals being 1:24 scale (about 3"H x 2"L), Stablemates or 1:32 (about 7cmH x 6cmL), and Mini Whinnies (each "adult" horse is only one inch tall).

[edit] Painting and Details

The company specializes in realistic, scale animal models made from cellulose acetate but has branched out into porcelain and resin figures as well. Most of the company's products focus on model horses and the tack and accessories (such as stables, barns, grooming implements) that accompany horse care. However, Breyer has also produced dog models since the 1950s and began producing other animals such as cats, cattle, and wildlife in the 1960s.

Each horse is cast in a mold, then the seams are sanded and polished. Markings and color patterns are usually obtained by using a stencil, although most older models were airbrushed by hand, with markings such as undefined socks or a bald face merely left unpainted. Most detailing, such as eyewhites (common on 1950s and 1960s models and enjoying a resurgence in modern models), brands, or other individual markings are painstakingly handpainted.

[edit] Model Horse Hobby

If you are crazy enough about horse you can even do the model horse hobby. You can collect them. Or just one breed. try color or brands(as in Traditinal, stablemates etc...) Build backgrounds for them. Try to collect all of them or all of the breeds you want. Then when it becomes Time for the breyerfest Show them and win ribbons. There are 2 stages halter or performance. halter is horses that are in good shape that looked like they just got out of the box. Performance are horse with tack. Like western, eniglish etc... With backgrounds too! Everyone gets a ribbon! its a fun thing to do if you dont have a horse. At the shows you can have your breyer horse do anything you want!

[edit] Customizing

Because of their ease to obtain and inexpensive quality, Breyer models make excellent candidates for the popular hobby, model horse customizing. Some models are simply repositioned by being dunked in boiling water and then shaped, some have a new pattern etched (the act of using a knife or similar object to scrape patterns on a model horse), some are repainted, and some are given the whole deal--repositioning, repainting, new body parts.

Depending on how well the customizing job was done, these special, one-of-a kind models can go for as much as a real horse when sold.

[edit] BreyerFest

Held annually in July at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, this is a three-day festival for model horse fanatics. During this three day period, attendees can buy, sell, and trade off their own models, purchase special limited-edition Breyer models, and participate in model horse shows. There are also classes that attendees can take that teach them how to paint, customize, and repair their models, providing they are willing to pay a small fee to take the class. Guest stars, usually renowned trainers and famous horses, are also present and perform for the attendees. There is also pony rides and dog agility to attend. You can go to workshops and see how breyer horses are made and even make one yourself. The also have real horse show watching horse do tricks. People can even meet the real horse behinde the model! It is a fun filled palce for anyone who loves horses to go!

[edit] Just About Horses Magazine

JAH is Breyer's premier model horse magazine. Six issues a year, this is the most popular model horse magazine in America. Subscriber benefits include: membership to the Breyer collector club, connoisseur line, JAH special runs, and much more.

[edit] Notes

Breyer horses are available at local tack shops and some toy stores and Kmart.

[edit] External links