The Breyer Horse

When I first started this web site I thought I knew what a Breyer Horse was. I mean, I had seen them, they were those ‘Plastic Horses’.

But I had no idea.

However, after searching the deep dark corners of the internet; and reading heaps and heaps and then some more; that while not being pretentious enough to say I’m an expert, I have found out quite a lot out about the Breyer Horse.

Model horses are fascinating and I must admit, have me intrigued.

Did you know people show them? – Yes! Just like real horses, in halter and performance and everything. They even sort of breed them. It's true! I'm jumping ahead here, just read and all will be revealed.

Breyer Model Horse History

It all started with the Breyer Moulding Company in Chicago, Illinois. At the time it manufactured custom moulded plastic products for industry including the defence industry.

Then in 1950 the Breyer Moulding Company received an unusual order from the F.W. Woolworth Company. The order was to create a standing western horse model to adorn a mantelpiece clock. Although only 2,000 were made, when it was released, the Breyer Moulding Company was swamped with requests, not for the clock but just for the horse.

And so Breyer Model Horses started production. This original horse is known as the “#57 – Western Horse” and was loved due to it’s remarkable authenticity and realism.

Over time the creation and manufacturing of these plastic model horses – and other animals – formed the core business for Breyer.

Each Model Horse is Unique

No two are ever the same due to the unique moulding and finishing process. The models begin as clay sculptures created by leading equine artists and are then cast into copper or steel moulds.

These original moulds are injected with an engineering grade cellulose acetate plastic that is valued for it’s artistic qualities. And one by one a model is created.

The models are then handed over to the artisans and each individual model is prepped and finished by hand. Then they are ready to be painted – this is where they come to life. Each model is hand painted with an airbrush and then detailed using paint brushes. By the time the horse is finished, up to 20 artists have worked on it, creating a special one of a kind horse.

That is why they are so Collectible.

There are four sizes of Horse Models – Traditional (1:8); Classic (1:12); Little Bits (1:20) and Stablemates at (1:32).

Customize Your Model Horse

to look different. Yes, if this wasn’t enough, collectors customize their own horses.

Using tools, knives, very hot water and imagination – legs, heads and bodies are repositioned. Then comes the new mane and tail and repainting.

And those with more artistic flair and ambition – make their own collectible limited edition resin casts. These horses enjoy the same popularity of their Breyer cousins.

More about Breyer

Model Horse enthusiasts hold Photo Shows and Live Shows for their Breyer Horses. They include all sorts of disciplines including Halter, Showmanship, Trail, Hunter, Western; you name it, they have a class for it. And they do actually ‘breed’ them – well sort of, not really it’s called Pedigree Assignment. More details about your Breyer Model Horses.