Another way to enjoy Breyer model horses and other model horses is to use your research skills to assign a pedigree to your horses.
In every aspect of the model horse hobby, realism is the name of the game, and that includes the horse's pedigree. Yes,Breyer model horses are 'bred' by hobbyists exchanging pedigree information. Learn how to research pedigrees, track pedigrees, and keep a model horse studbook for your collection.
Selecting the Breed for Breyer Model Horses
Companies such as Breyer promote their models as examples of specific breeds. For example, one of their most popular horse models of all time is the #4 Family Arabian Stallion. You may be tempted to simply call him an Arabian and search for Arabian horse pedigrees, the breed the company assigns to the model may not be accurate. In the case of the Family Arabian Stallion it's probably not a good idea to show him as an Arabian. He's a poor example of the breed and the most popular color for this mold, palomino, isn't an acceptable color by the Arabian breed associations!
Selecting the best breed for the model is the first step in choosing pedigrees for model horses. A good guidebook of horse breeds and the websites for the various breed associations provide photos for comparison of real horses to model horses and list the accepted characteristics for the breed.
Another aspect of choosing the breed for Breyer model horses is finding breeds that may not be as competitive in the show ring. If you show model horses, expect to find the Arabian, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa and Paint breed categories packed with entrants. As in the real horse world, these breeds are extremely popular among collectors, and competition for wins in the model horse show ring is fierce. Many collectors seek unusual breeds for similar models; there's far less competition and more opportunities to win ribbons in live and photo shows.
Pedigree Guidelines for Model Horses
There are two ways collectors choose pedigrees for their models:
- Choosing other model horses as "parents": Model horse collectors "breed" their models by providing lists of horses with full descriptions and a "stud fee" or a few pennies or dollars. Such lists are exchanged and parents selected. After paying the fee to the original horse's owners, the collector now has the right to add the names of the models to his own model's pedigree.
- Researching actual horse pedigrees: A second and very popular method of creating a pedigree for a model horse is to research pedigrees of real horses and use their pedigree for the model. Pedigrees may be found through breed associations, books, magazines, and listings online. Model horse collectors begin with breed selection for their models, then look for actual horses who exhibit similar characteristics.
Color and Age Considerations
Breyer horses obviously don't age, but collectors must still select an age for their collectibles, especially when creating pedigrees. Double check against the real or model horse parents selected for the model after picking an age. Stallions generally don't begin breeding until around age 3, and most real horse owners wait until their mares are around 5 years old before breeding them, although that can vary according to the breed and particular horse. Keep this in mind when choosing ages for model horses. Be careful not to make the offspring older than potential parents!
Another factor when choosing pedigrees is color. Equine color genetics is tricky, with certain colors dominant and others recessive. A useful reference book for model horse collectors working through color genetics and pedigrees is Equine Color Genetics by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD, published by Iowa State University Press and widely available in bookstores and online.
The Appeal of Pedigrees
Model horses don't need pedigrees to show in live or photos shows. But having a pedigree for a model adds to the fun of the hobby. Different aspects of collecting model horses appeal to different people Some people love owning original works of art and collection hand-painted Artist Resins. Seeking discontinued colors and rare models appeals to the treasure hunter instinct in others. Pedigrees appeal to those who love research. Discovering the perfect pedigree and learning about equine color genetics adds to the educational value of the hobby, which can spill over into the real horse world and your understanding of the nuances of horse breeding.