Model horse

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Model horses or toy horses are scale replicas of real horses and are highly collectible. Model horses can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or gender, although the vast majority of collectors are women. The hobby originated more or less simultaneously - but independently - in North America and the UK, followed later by Sweden (UK-influenced), Germany (US-influenced) and Australia. The hobby encompasses a wide variety of activities, from those who simply like to collect to those who enthusiastically show their models at model horse shows. Unlike many model cars or model trains, the horses do not need to be assembled from kits, although they can be altered to the collector's liking.

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[edit] Brief history of model horses

The first mass-produced model horses in the UK were created by Britains Ltd in the 1920s, with Julip Horses Ltd arriving on the scene after World War II. Roy Selwyn-Smith created some very detailed 54 mm ('mini') horses for Britains, but the real quantum leap in quality for British models came with Pamela du Boulay's Rydal models in 1969 - highly accurate, airbrushed sculptures, each an artist original. Beswick also produced a line of horses, but due to their fragility and price few were owned by collectors in the early days.

In the late '40s to early '50s in the US, Hartland Collectibles and Breyer Animal Creations (now a division of Reeves International) began producing highly realistic plastic model horses. Both companies' first models were standing western horses next to or over a clock. Most of Breyer's original horses, dogs and cattle were sculpted by Chris Hess and made of durable plastic. The line expanded through the 1960s, and by the 1970s, Breyer and Hartland were the main model lines, although Hagen-Renaker china horses (also produced from the '50s) sculpted by Maureen Love and others, were also popular.

In the mid-90s, Peter Stone, son of Sam Stone who originally helped create Breyer Animal Creations, worked for Breyer most of his life but parted ways with Breyer and started his own company. Stone Horses are known for the wide range of special, limited edition runs and collectible decorator colours, as well as turning a popular Quarter Horse resin by Carol Williams into plastic. Today Breyers and Stone Horses are the top two popular plastic model horse brands.

Limited edition artist resins (usually original sculptures rather than customs), first began to appear in the 1980s, with Carol William's famous "Quarter Horse 1" or "RRQH1" ("RR" for "Rio Rondo", the name of Williams' modeling enterprise) being one of the first. These models, high-quality castings of an original artist's sculpture, are typically sold unpainted, ready to finish by the customer or a favorite artist. They took the hobby by storm in the 1990s, and are very popular and much-sought after today. A resin can be an affordable way to own a favourite artist's work, although depending on the rarity of the piece, they can become quite expensive. For example, some resins are released in highly-limited editions of 50 pieces or less. Such models typically sell out rapidly, and command high secondary-market prices.

[edit] Brief history of the hobby

In the late 1960s, UK collectors came together through PONY magazine, and several clubs and newsletters born, the most important being The Postal Pony Club. From this was born the Lindfield Model Showing Association and later Model Horse News (MHN), a bi-monthly magazine which ran until 1989. In 1979 The International Arabist magazine appeared, which though restricted to Arab horses and their descendants, was the first magazine to actively seek to unite hobbyists from around the world. While MHN remained largely in the original tradition of Julips, etc, TIA promoted realism through custom Breyers, etc.

In the 1970s, US model horse collectors decided that their horses should be doing something else than just sitting on a shelf. They began to seek each other out, and early hobby magazines such as Breyer's Just About Horses and Model Horse Showers Journal were the means for lifelong friendships to be started. Realism became the goal of the hobby and as the hobby grew and more techniques were shared, the shift in realism became more apparent. For example, an early bridle might have been made out of string. Today it would be made from leather, and include actual miniature bits.

Clubs also formed as an outlet for collectors. Most clubs are devoted to particular breeds or regions, and just like real horse clubs, there are year end awards, club events, point programs and newsletters for members.

[edit] Model horse activities

[edit] Collecting

It is possible to amass hundreds of model horses over time, so some collectors try to "keep it sane" by collecting only one kind of breed, scale or particular mold. Most model horses are in the 1:9 scale (such as Breyer Traditionals and Stone Horses) while others are no bigger than mice, such as Breyer Stablemates and Stone Chips. Usually a model is released in a particular colour for a number of years or a limited run. The model horse company may decide to make portrait models of famous horses as well, such as Secretariat and Man o' War. Having a collection of several color versions of one mold is referred to as a "conga line". Other people simply collect what they like, and others may collect in hopes of selling at a profit later on. There is no guarantee that models will increase in value over time. Some have noticed that since the advent of eBay, it is very much a buyer's market and comparing prices has become much easier, so prices have fallen. Buyers can pick and choose and often come away with a horse that cost much less than what it was originally bought. While "mint" condition horses are prized, flawed horses often make nice shelf pieces.

While the original scope of collecting may have focused on plastic horses, they may now be made of resin or ceramic. Common brands are: Breyer Horses, Paradise Horses Stone Horses, Hagen-Renaker, Royal Doulton, North Light, Grand Champion and Schleich. While most model horses are sold as toys, some, like resins, are delicate, much more expensive and definitely not for children. Common Plastic model horses may be bought from toy stores, tack shops, authorized dealers or other collectors. Prices range from a few dollars for a Breyer Stablemate to thousands for an artist resin.

Some collectors also enjoy amassing hobby literature, such as catalogs, magazines and promotional items.

[edit] Customizing

Not content with factory produced models, people took to remaking factory-made models by adding hair, removing tails or altering the position or colour. Many of these early customs are considered crude by today's standards. These early models often had fake fur manes and tails, or were painted with spray paint and even Sharpie markers. Legs were moved by heating plastic with hair dryers or candles.

However, in the late 1970s, American and British artists began to use more sophisticated techniques, plus the use of airbrushes, fine mohair tops and epoxy putty for resulpting. Today these techniques and the term "customizing" have become hobby standard. Many artists make their living from customizing models, and many artists are widely sought after. It is not uncommon for a well-made custom to fetch hundreds of dollars on eBay.

[edit] Showing the model horse

Model horse showing has two ways in which to participate - photo showing or live showing. Photo showing is convenient for people who aren't able to travel or don't live near other collectors. Showholders publish a classlist and invites people to enter for a nominal fee. The shower then takes photos of their horse, usually against a background or performing an equestrian event. On the back of the photo, the horse's vitals are recorded along with the shower's address. A piece of tape is also placed on the back. This is where the shower writes down the numbers of the classes that they want to enter their horse in. The numbers can be erased afterwards for the next show. Once the showholder receives all the entries, they sort them by class numbers and begin judging. A showholder may place a horse based on quality of photo, accuracy of breed depiction and condition. Usually championships and reserves are offered as well. The results are sent back, sometimes along with ribbons or small prizes. Due to the ease of the Internet, online photo showing has eliminated the cost of postage and long wait for returns.

Live showing is much different. Here again the showholder publishes a classlist and invites other showers to attend. The show is usually held in a large space such as a hotel or arena. Depending upon the popularity of the show, people may travel from far and wide to attend. Each shower usually gets their own table or may have to bring their own table to the show. The "model horse rings" are usually tables with ring numbers, and this is where showers place their horses to be judged. It is important to listen when the classes are called as a shower may miss their class. One or more people may judge a show. Again, judges are usually looking at condition and correctness. Live shows may also include collectibility classes as well. Live shows are a boisterous affair where tack and horses are sold and prizes are raffled and auctioned off. Live shows may be the only time that hobby friends get to see each other. Usually any profits from the shows are donated to an animal related charity.

If a shower belongs to a club, they may record points earned from their horses' placings for year-end awards. NAN cards are also sought after. These pink and green cards allow a particular horse to enter the North American Nationals (NAN), a yearly show organized by the North American Model Horse Show Association (NAMHSA). The show and the qualification cards carry a lot of prestige in the hobby world - a model which is "NAN Q-ed" or "NAN qualified" goes up in value.

[edit] Props and Tack

Hobbyists can also make their own props and tack. Props are anything which might enhance a scene, such as dogs, jumps, trees, backgrounds and fences. Some hobbyists may try making their own tack or purchasing it from others. Tack can even be made from kits. Tack just doesn't stop at bridles and saddles - complete harnesses and Arabian costumes can also be fashioned. It is important, however, that props and tack are in scale to the model for added realism. One can easily supplement their collection by selling tack and props as well.

[edit] Pedigreeing

In the pursuit of realism, many hobbyists also research and give their models pedigrees and names. Pedigree assignment--commonly abbreviated "PA"--is a fun way of learning about different breeds and creating "progeny". Some pedigrees are researched from real horses or other models. Model horse breeders may offer their horse's parentage for a nominal fee and usually issue a certificate to the "foal"'s owner. Some clubs keep records of real mares and their open years for members who want to make sure that the model they PA from living parents does not have the same dam and foaling year as a model belonging to another member. In keeping with the hobby's attempt to maintain realism, collectors assigning pedigrees to models usually try to use only years that a real mare did not have a foal, or, in the case of scarce breeds, a year that she had a foal that was gelded (and thus could not reproduce).

[edit] Model horses online

Model horse hobbyists flourish online as well. One of the oldest mailing lists is Haynet. These days there is a Yahoo!Group for every niche of the hobby from sales, customizing tips, artist newsletters, many geographic regional lists (and sublists), and even groups devoted to a single mold. Model horse chat forums are also very popular as hobbyists enjoy sharing information, catching up on the latest releases, showing off their horses and "good mail days". These online forums include Model Horse Blab and Fallen Leaves. Collectors actively sell on eBay, My Auction Barn, ModelXchange or the Model Horse Sales Pages. Some collectors delight in putting their stables online and yet other compile reference websites. Online shows can be easily found through mailing lists or by joining an organized group such as Totally Online Photo Showers Association (TOPSA) or Model Equine Photo Showers Association (MEPSA). Most shows and hobby organizations have an online presence.

[edit] External links