A hobby for horse lovers age 7 to 97.
Model horse collecting has an appeal for all ages.
You can collect models starting at under a dollar if you're young, and affluent afficionados can dabble in artist resins worth thousands of dollars.
This lens will introduce you to the hobby, along with sharing some other facets of the collecting craze.
My own model horse history
I still remember opening the boxes containing the white stallion Legionario III and the bay Running Mare and Foal, on Christmas Day, in 1978 at my dad's house.At one point in the late 80's, my collection surpassed 250 models and spanned several tiers of shelves in the basement. Before meeting *real* collectors on the Internet, I thought that it was HUGE. Of course, now I know that many people have collections numbering in the thousands!
So I can better afford my horsey habit, now I only collect one mold, Breyer's Midnight Sun Tennessee Walking Horse mold. I think I have a complete collection (aka "conga line") of the horses available in this mold, but still need some photos, and some variations.
To help fund my small but sometimes expensive collection, I also customize new mold Breyer Stablemate miniatures and a few others, and sell them through online auctions like eBay.
The remainder of my herd moved on to greener pastures. Only a few models with particular sentimental value remain on the dusty top shelf: my original well-worn bay running foal, the obligatory palomino FAS and the Black Stallion (gifts from my father on my 10th birthday) and a Stablemate Native Dancer (purchased on a grade school field trip).
Model Horses
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.
Starting small
Model Horse Collecting links
ModelHorseCollector.com
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The World of Breyer Model Horses
Model Horse Guide is a place for novices to expand more...0 points
Welcome to modelhorses.com
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Walkaboutfarm: authentic model horse breeds from the collection of Breyer model horses
The largest selection of Breyer model horses with more...0 points
Not Just Plastic Horses: The Real World of Model Horses - A video that reveals the world of model horse collecting: Breyer and Stone model horses are discussed.
Not Just Plastic Horses: The REAL World of Model H more...0 points
Karen Grimm's Model Horse Collection
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Personal Breyer Model Horse Collection
Personal collection of Breyer model horses, animal more...0 points
My "conga" collection
Midnight Sun was a famous Tennessee Walking Horse. Although this mold, in a "big lick" pose, does not accurately portray Midnight Sun, I am a big fan of the breed.I have what I believe to be a complete collection of every model Breyer has made available in this mold, except any new models since 2002.
#60 Midnight Sun, Famous Tennessee Walker, black, 1972-1987
I have the first Midnight Sun model I ever saw, bought new in the early 80's, along with the paper picture box he came in. I also have one mint in the clear plastic box that I *believe* was first used in 1987, so I think this is rather hard to come by.
I am looking for elusive variations, such as a 'chalky' (I have heard the plastic is PURPLE on some of these), factory unpainted, and factory goofs such as white socks or face markings, and wrong-colored ribbons.
#SR60? Tennessee Walking Horse, chestnut, 1984
Approximately 220 were produced for the 1984 Model Horse Congress. Rare, I finally got one after years of searching!! Mine is in near-mint condition, with only one rub. (Unfortunately a rather conspicuous one, on the right shoulder, but oh well ~ he is finally mine!! *g*) The color is usually a light/medium chestnut, sometimes almost washed-out looking.
#704 Tennessee Walking Horse, bay, 1988-1989
I have one of these in a realistic reddish-brown and mint in box. I had a couple of them in spaghetti sauce red-orange, but had to sell. =(
#854 Memphis Storm, Tennessee Walking Horse, glossy charcoal, 1992
Commemorative Edition. There were 7500 produced, all hand-numbered. Mine is #0270/7500, mint in box. They are numbered in black which is difficult to read, you have to hold them at an angle. Color on these varies from black to greyish-black or brownish-black, with white mane and tail.
#913 'High Flyer' Tennessee Walking Horse, chestnut pinto, 1995-1996
I have one, he is mint in box. Average color. Might be enticed by an odd variation, let me know if you have one for sale.
#703096 WCHE TWH I, black, 1996
Run of 1000 hand-numbered models. Mine is #0377/1000, mint in box. Differs from 'Midnight Sun' in that all models are marked WCHE and numbered, otherwise may be hard to distinguish. Someone mentioned that the ribbons are reversed, although still in red and white like the original.
#? 'Gaited Breeds' set TWH, shaded brown, 1996
From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. I have one of these, mint in bag. Some people refer to the color as grulla or seal brown. Shading varies but most models seem to be a dark brown on the neck and back, fading to a light brown/beige on the belly and chest. (Set also included a bay pinto American Saddlebred and a palomino Saddlebred Weanling.)
#701097 WCHE TWH II, chestnut, 1997
Run of 6000, with 1500 hand-numbered, mine is #0502/1500, mint in box. This model is called chestnut, but the mane and tail are white, so many people may refer to it as a 'palomino', especially to avoid confusion with the 1984 chestnut model.
#716 Blackberry Frost, Tennessee Walking Horse, dapple gray, 1998
Commemorative Edition! Mine is mint in box, #09,566/10,000. I would be interested in one MIB with a better-than-average paint job and belly number under 1,000.
#? WCHE TWH III, dark bay, 1998
Run of 1500 hand-numbered, mine is #1025/1500, mint in box. This model has gold ribbons and is much darker than the regular run red bay. He is richly shaded and really beautiful.
#701899 WCHE TWH IV, black roan, 1999Surprisingly dark. I was hoping for a blue roan sabino like 'The Pusher', but he's still very nice. Unbelievably he is also #1025/1500 just like my III horse. He has a blaze and two hind stockings.
#? 'Pintos' set TWH, black tobiano pinto, 1999From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. Came in a set of three models, with a QH Gelding and Merrylegs mold, both also painted in a pinto pattern.
#? Breyer Golden Annversary Celebration TWH, glossy palomino, 2000From the J.C. Penney's holiday catalog. From website: Created exclusively for JCPenney in honor of Breyer's 50th anniversary. Rich, glossy palomino comes with championship neck sash with ''Breyer Golden Anniversary'' print.
#701700 WCHE TWH V, white, 2000Special Run from World Champion Horse Equipment. 0568 of 1500 made, hand numbered.
#701701 WCHE TWH VI, bay, 2001Special Run of 1500 from World Champion Horse Equipment. 281/1500 hand numbered on belly. Has a narrow blaze/snip and one off hind sock.
#701502 WCHE TWH VII, strawberry roan, 2002Special Run from World Champion Horse Equipment. 166 of 1500, hand numbered. Has a blaze and near hind sock.
Well, I think that's it! If I've missed any, please drop me a note!!
Which color looks best?
Here are some variations of the Midnight Sun model. Vote for your favorite! (If you want to add another, please be sure you have proper permission from the photographer/owner.)
Breyer Animal Creations
Breyer Animal Creations (or just Breyer), a division of Reeves International, is one of the oldest model animal companies in existence. The company specializes in models made from cellulose acetate (a form of plastic) and are best known for their model horses, although various wildlife and domestic animal models are also produced, including an extensive line of dog breeds. Its model horses are some of the most renowned model horses in the hobby, being as the models are both inexpensive and realistic. Breyer manufactures well over 5 million models annually.
Each summer, the company holds a festival for model horse collectors called Breyerfest at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Every year since 2002 has had a different theme, and 2009 is their 20th anniversary. The company also publishes its own magazine--Just About Horses or JAH for short, and has six issues per year.
Best Breyer models on Amazon
Vote for your favorites and shun the bad ones by clicking the up and down arrows next to these Breyer models.
