Four Hooves Model Saddlery and Rugs

Hi! I'm being a bit inactive at the moment, I promise I will be more active soon!

I have exciting news: My friend and I are starting a model horse tack shop! It is still being edited and isn't perfect yet as I have to get all the products up there and the images etc... Have a look at it so far, http://www.freewebstore.org/Four-Hooves-Model-Saddlery-and-Rugs

I'll post something when it is finished, I hope we will receive some orders! We are also going to apply for the Utterly Horses program where they help you gain publicity and sell your products on their website as well. Please leave a comment! See you soon!

Live show reference pictures - Part 1 - Dressage

Hi, I apologise for being the worst blogger in the world, but I am doing a series this December of live show reference pictures of different disciplines and the 1:9 models that you could use for this purpose. Today's post is dressage.

Dressage roughly translates as the word "training" as it shows off just that - the trainability of the horse and rider. The combination are asked to perform a memorised test (or in some cases, the test can be read out) of movements, like circles. The movements can be as easy as a canter circle and as difficult as a turn whilst performing piaffe, which is trotting on the spot with the hindquarters engaged.

However, a horse who is responding to his rider and looks happy and contented, but has its head in an undesirable place, would win over a horse who's head has been forced into a desirable position and does not look happy.

In a live show, lots of models can be used for dressage, as they can be easily adapted for each separate level. For a higher level you might use Breyer Totilas but for a lower level you might use a horse like Strapless.

Here are some of the movements that can be used in dressage:


A lovely square halt

Passage



Valegro's gorgeous extended trot



 

These are just some of the very wide range of dressage movements. Now we will look at suitable models for dressage.

 

The Breyer Pinto Sportshorse: A good model for the lower levels: could also be used for show jumping.

 

The Breyer RCMP horse: Also a good model for the lower levels of dressage.

 

 

 

 The Breyer Prince Jester: Again nice for the lower levels, as he is striding out freely and happily.

 Breyer Trooper: A gorgeous model for the lower levels.

 

 

 Breyer Northern Dancer: A lovely looking model in walk.

 

 Breyer Totilas: The greatest dressage model, the one I used for my dressage set up.

 

 

Breyer Valentine: A lovely model for the lower levels. Here she is pictured with her foal.

 

 

Breyer Mistral Hojris: A great dressage model for the topmost level.

These are definitely the best models for dressage set ups, however there could be rarer ones so have a look!

 

Here are some reference pictures to guide you through the main features of dressage set ups.

 

I hope you benefitted from this - just to let you know all of these pictures are not mine.

 

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

 

Bye!

 

Update on Totilas' tack

Hi! I can't do a tutorial today, but I promise one tomorrow! Anyway, I've completely forgotten about updating you on Totilas' tack, so I think it's about time. Here are the pictures... See you tomorrow for a tutorial, I think I'll do one on running martingales.

The metal things are supposed to be stirrup bars!

The finished saddle seat and saddle skirts, complete with sparkly studs that will be on his browband.

It's not glued on yet, but it's a start. I can't wait till the show!

See you for the tutorial!

Mummifying Totilas

I'm going away for a bit, so I won't be able to blog for a couple of days. I'm taking Totilas, his rider and his tack so I can continue making it. He looks really ridiculous but it's all so he doesn't get scratched. If he did, that would be absolutely terrible! Anyway, here's the pic. Oh, I also took a couple of photos of Venus in the outdoor world! See you in a couple of days!

Mummified Totilas! :P

Bye!

Model horse saddle pattern and Breyer Totilas photoshoot

I love all my Schleich and Bullyland, but when Totilas arrived one evening I knew he was just such an amazing horse. I'd never had a Breyer before, so seeing a model horse so shiny and clean (not to mention unscratched) I felt a bit overwhelmed. I decided to take him to a model horse show at the end of the summer and I was told to make dressage tack for him! I thought that it couldn't be done. At that time my Schleich tack was a bit rubbish and even though I knew 1:9 would be easier than 1:20, it was daunting. For a month or two, Totilas lay with his rug and headcollar, in the Schleich field.I noticed him last week and thought it was time to start my tack. I got out my trusty Saddlery and Equipment book, printed out a few reference photos and got started on my pattern. I finished it and moved on to the bridle pattern, which was a bit more complicated as I was worried I didn't have enough leather lace and it would take a long time to order more, as it had come all the way from America. I'm still concerned about that, but hopefully I'll have enough! I'll keep this blog updated on his tack so you can see the progression. In fact I've just done a photoshoot of Totilas, his coming saddle and the pattern! Here are the atmospheric photos:

Totilas showing off his extended trot position

The saddle pattern - Copy it onto Word, increase it, decrease it, do whatever!

The seat of the saddle - a Coke can wrapped in leather!

Totilas wears his saddle seat

See you in a bit where I'll be making a fly mask tutorial!