Model Horses (?)

Okay, so the discussion and question come up:  What the heck?  Plastic horses?
Many non-model hobbyists have curiousity or yes, might be quick to judge what they don’t have knowledge of when it comes to Breyer Collecting and why grown adults and kids alike would “show” model horses.  I am at a point that this lifelong hobby has and does bring me much pleasure so I am comfortable discussing it with anybody and don’t have qualms about social stigma or judgement.  Friends, Family, coworkers, random strangers, everybody has learned about my hobby and I patiently answer their questions.

The world of model horses is vast and varied, and rather comparable to that of other scale model hobbies - realistic portrayals in miniature of everything from model trains, planes, and cars to dollhouses to architectural studies.  It involves everything from the collectibility and toy play aspect to artistic endeavors and in between.

The love of the horse is what fosters it all.  Many kids fall in love with horses at an early age.  It is natural that these “toys” become part of their lives.  Along with riding lessons and books, the Breyers become many a young girl’s world of horses, and even in 4H we had a project called “horseless horse”.  It involves such a universe of learning and education, and admiration of a creature that may or may not be part of one’s everyday life.  The artistic bent, creativity, and knowledge all roll together and form an incredible hobby with opportunities to enjoy.
  
I will try to work on a series that explores a bit of these worlds, and I have been involved in most aspects of the hobby (not all - there once were a great many clubs and organizations dedicated to things like racing and pedigree assignment, and while I have softened on decorators and unrealistic models, I am not hot and heavy into the fantasy worlds).  As of late I have not been as major into collecting or showing, but moreso into creative endeavors.  Painting, sculpting, photography, and scale modeling of props and tack offer lots of challenge.

Many people are unfamiliar with such rabbitholes, but for me it has been more of a way of life.  It has had its times where it has been set aside for other ventures, schooling, hobbies, work, and such.  Some hobbyists “get out” as other life obligations take precedence, and it can be a “shelf hobby” that gets put aside from time to time.  Many of us retain our first model or members of our “carpet herd”, and continue to play, albeit in a different and new way.  The many facets and layers allow us to be as involved as we want to or are able to, and to find success and enjoyment at different levels.  Pretty amazing thing to be a part of, from age 8 to 108.