Just Stallions

Horses have been a popular toy through the ages. Among these toys are sure to be Breyer Model Horses, the most popular horse toy in the world. Breyer is known for to-scale, authentic collectible horses. They also make special editions, and routinely retire several models every year.

While many people are first introduced to collecting model horses as children, it is a popular hobby among adults as well. Most will collect the special editions or those models that are produced to honor a particular horse… one of the recent honorees was Barbaro, the Thoroughbred who injured himself during the second leg of the Triple Crown and later had to be put down due to complications. Still other collectors only want certain colors, such as palomino, dapple gray, or chestnut. Some prefer to stick to a single breed. Luckily, Breyer horses come in many breeds, from Quarter Horses and Arabians to Thoroughbreds, draft horses and Shetland ponies. It is getting more common to see the rarer breeds represented as well, such as the Trakehner, the Friesian or the Hanoverian.

Breyer model horses come in several sizes. The Breyer Traditional Collection is the largest size, and is sculpted in a 1:9 scale. The Classic is done in a 1:12 scale, while the Paddock Pals are a bit smaller, being sculpted in a 1:24 scale. Stablemates used to be the smallest Breyer horses at 1:32 scale, but now the Mini Whinnies are even smaller. All sizes are fully detailed and come in a variety of colors and breeds. Some also are available with accessories.

There are some collectors who actually show their model horses. Photo shows allow the owner to take as realistic photo as possible of their models and submit them for various classes in the show, like halter, Western Pleasure, or English Equitation. Performance classes require the appropriate tack be on the model, and sometimes a rider is also included. Some areas host live shows as well. Exhibitors bring their models to the show to be judged right there and then. Winners receive ribbons and sometimes trophies for their models. Show models are sometimes repainted or even repositioned to make them more unique. Breyer is a favorite to use since they are already so realistic and come in so many different positions.

Whether you decide to show your Breyer model horse or not, collecting them can be great fun. Every year new models are released, and others are retired. Some go up in value quite a bit, especially if they are in good condition.

Of course, children like to play with Breyer horses, too. They can spend hours playing with them, designing pastures, or utilizing the many accessories that are available, such as stables, fences, barn tools and realistic Western and English tack to put on the horses.

No matter what your age, if you love horses, you’ll enjoy Breyer model horses. Whether you collect a hundred or only a few, they are a fun way to enjoy the beauty of horses.

Breyer horses are the gold standard of model horses. Each one is beautifully hand-crafted and life-like, and touched in the production process by often as many as 20 different artists and artisans. For the horse-lover, Breyer model horses are horse toy. In fact, they are beyond toys.

Breyer horse models are made to-scale and, except in the case of some of their special runs or fantasy horses, are made to look as realistic as possible. The company also sells an utterly vast variety of models in different breeds, colors, and collector sets. Due to their amazing quality and realism, Breyer models are as popular today as they were when they were created in 1950 and have a huge following among children and adults alike. Indeed, Breyer horses have become so renowned that there are whole Breyer model horse shows for model horse collectors.

In an attempt to keep their huge collection of model horses fresh and exciting, every year Breyer not only produces some brand new models but also retires a few. The retired Breyer models of course become instantly worth far more money for those who have them, and you can readily find a few of them on sale at eBay or at online model horse auction sites. Many models change hands through re-sale and auctions, also. But many hold on to their retired models and relish collecting as many as they can.

Amazingly, Breyer never set out to create collectors’ items or even toys. The Breyer Molding Company was a plastics manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, it was commissioned by the drug store chain F.W. Woolworth’s to make a model horse to adorn a mantelpiece clock. This model #57 Western Horse was so well-made that people began contacting Breyer and Woolworth’s to see if they could buy JUST the horse. A living legend was born.

The collections that Breyer offers include:

* The Traditional Breyer collection makes up the world’s most asked for horses since 1950 group. These are all hand-painted and each one is slightly one of a kind and realistic. These are sculpted in 1:9 scale.

* The SPECIAL RUNS consists of Breyer horses commissioned by a select group of retailers. These rarer models are collectors’ dreams. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation the Tractor Supply Company are among the customer and Olympic equine athletes equine film stars such as Spirit are among the models.

* The CLASSICS are specially designed for authentic and imaginative play for younger collectors; they give them realistic horses and superior collectibility. These are sculpted to 1:12 scale.

* The WIND DANCERS are butterfly fantasy horses, and each one is made to embody a different one of the four winds. Breyer says they are “”fun, spirited, and gossamer-winged, with brushable manes and tails. Their ethereal wings flutter in the breeze as they float on the gentle winds of the earth, bringing adventure and excitement to those who believe.

Breyer also creates other accessories especially targeted at younger collectors.