Breyer Horse Collectibles

The first Breyer Horse, #57 Western Horse, was released in 1950. Since then, Breyer Horses have emerged as the most popular collectible for horse lovers, both children and adults alike. I received my first Breyer Horse at seven years old and have been a devoted fan ever since.

Breyer Horses are produced using a very intricate process. An original model is created by an artists who sculpts it from clay. The clay model is used to make a steel mold and melted cellulose acetate is injected into the molds. Then the models are cooled and assembled.

The finished models are painted with airbrushes, but the smallest details are hand-painted. The hand-painted details are never exactly the same from horse to horse, meaning each Breyer Horse is truly a one-of-a-kind. One mold is used to produce horses that will be painted several different color variations. There may be a bay, a pinto, an appaloosa and more, all with the same body shape. The model number of the Breyer Horse is based on their color, not their body shape.

Beginning in 1960, a rear inside flank of each Breyer Horse was marked with a raised Breyer stamp, which includes the country in which that horse was produced, the production year, and a copyright, as well as the company's name. Breyer Horses produced in the 1950s were identified with stickers or tags.

Breyer Horse models are made in five sizes. Traditionals are the original sized Breyer Horse at a scale of 1:9. Classics are sculpted to a scale of 1:12-they are aimed at younger enthusiasts and are intended for both play and collection. Ponies are also in a 1:12 scale, but are designed specifically for littlest collectors-age three to five years old. They even have brush-able manes and tails. Little Bits are even smaller at a 1:20 scale. Paddock Pals are in a 1:24 scale and come with riders and removable tack. Stablemates are produced in a 1:32 scale and come in play sets with other horses and accessories.

In addition to the general Breyer Horses manufactured each year, Breyer also releases their Special Runs, limited editions produced either for specific organizations like the United States Equestrian Team Foundation or based on famous horses, both real and fictional. Several years ago, they produced a Seabiscuit collection when a movie was made about the famous racehorse from the 1930s. The collection includes a Seabiscuit model, as well as a War Admiral model, coordinating ornaments depicting each horse, and a three-piece Stablemate gift set featuring Seabiscuit, War Admiral and Pumpkin. This year, following the release of the movie "Flicka," a product line of Flicka Breyers has been released.

Breyer produces a special Gallery line of Breyer Horses. The Gallery horses are made of resin, porcelain or bronze. Finely detailed and beautifully painted, these horses are definitely not toys, but each would make a lovely addition to any Breyer Horse collection.

Used Breyer Horses are widely available on eBay and collectibles websites, as well as in antique and collectibles shops. Breyer releases over 300 models each year, of both their horses and other animals. New Breyer horses begin at about $15 and go up to about $50, except their Gallery horses, which can go for as much as $1000.

Breyer sponsors an event each year for the truly dedicated Breyer Horse collectors and admirers. Breyerfest features an old-fashioned carnival, trick riders, model horse shows and model horse workshops. It is held at the famed

Kentucky
Horse
Park

in
Lexington, Kentucky
. For details about next year's event, see Breyer's website.

Breyer Horses set the standard in collectible horse models. Whether your passion is western or English, dressage or rodeo, draft horses or racehorses, they produce horses for every horse enthusiast.