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MODEL HORSE TREASURES
Model Horse: The tiniest of equines. Made of almost anything - plastic, glass, wood, etc. Comes in all colors including rainbow. All breeds, including imagination, are represented. May be in any stance; some are permanent in their pose, while others are flexible. Requires regular attention but needs extra polishing. Low maintenance. No feed bills. No vet bills although glue is a possible expense. Activities include horse shows, some of which only require film. Otherwise, travel expenses are incurred although it is possible to travel with a large show string sometimes numbering in the 100's. Tack, especially LSQ, is a big expense, so owners may need to seek medical attention for the malady known as Sticker Shock. Example, a 1 ˝" Western Show Saddle is as pricy as a real horse show saddle, and an elaborate Arabian Costume could cost more than a real one! Brands are important. They are inconspicuous on the model, mostly underneath On inside of hind leg. Certain brands are famous and are expensive only for that reason, but sometimes unknowns are much prettier, i.e. Heinz 57. It is quite safe to state that owners of model horses are of the same mind: Each has the prettiest. The Best! There are thousands of listings on the Web for model horses. We do not express a preference, so luck to you as you seek information on this delightful subject, and happy hunting for your perfect ideal model horse!
HOW THE PAST SHAPES THE FUTURE
Our life in the model horse world began in the 1940's! Oh! Those cute little things! They were just like our real live equines, but so tiny! Life took a really serious turn in the ‘60's when the most beautiful model in the world looked down from his lofty perch in the furniture store, and begged to come to me! This is “Two Bits” the Hagen-Renaker QH. He opened the proverbial barn door, and hundreds and hundreds of model horses have galloped in! Many were Hagen-Renakers, Royal Doultons, Beswicks, and Hartlands (we were early dealers of these brands), plus gazillions of Breyers, Leftons,Peter Stone, Etc. As with real horses, there are heartbreaks. In the ‘90's a fire destroyed the building housing all the Beswicks, Royal Doultons and mini Hagen-Renakers. Many hundreds were totally lost! A few Breyer survived, but hardly in their original form, and all tack and costumes were lost. In the ‘80's we had sculpted and molded several beauties in porcelain, including the Tenn. State Champion and N.C. Res. Ch. Ceramic show winners. All molds were lost but three horses survived. Now to the present, and a second generation has discovered the thrill of model horses, with her own Cedar Grove Models. Along with a third generation who has his own little herd of models, we take the week off from our business, The Living Treasures, to bring a sampling of our little guys to Breyerfest. Visit us as Booth #200. We have many models to sell - lots of Breyers, mostly oldies, plus Hartlands, old (not new) Hagen-Renakers, and the fabulous Peter Stone creations. And there are others! We have lots of repaints and remakes, some featuring real Arabian horsehair manes & tails! Beautiful Pintos, Arabians, Appaloosas & more, We do resins, beautiful one-of-a-kind treasures! We no longer make much tack but will occasionally have a stunning LSQ Arabian Costume for sale. (Well, in our own real Arabians, we had many Champions, Regional Champions, and National U.S. & Canadian Costume wins - so we know a few things about the costume world!) We have many related horsey items for sale: Handmade soap, handmade candles, horsey treats (cookies!), mouse pads, tote bags, jewelry, tack trunks, barrels, jumps, poles, etc. Handdrawn notes, purses, and the very delicate real eggshells with tiny, tiny horse scenes within, and handpainted Christmas ornaments. Lots of goodies!
Now for a flashback in time to share with you some of our early show models. Enjoy!
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