Breyer Horses Are The Elite Horse Collectible

Breyer horses are the gold standard of model horses. Each one is beautifully hand-crafted and life-like, and touched in the production process by often as many as 20 different artists and artisans. For the horse-lover, Breyer model horses are THE horse toy. In fact, they are beyond toys.

With the exception of some special runs and fantasy horses, Breyer horses are made-to-scale and as close to the real thing in look as possible. The company also sells an utterly vast variety of models in different breeds, colors, and collector sets. Because of their incredible quality, Breyer horses have lasted since their inception in 1950 and have garnered a huge following among model horse collectors as well as horse lovers who want to be surrounded by sculpted models of their favorite animal. Indeed, Breyer horses have become so renowned that there are whole Breyer model horse shows for model horse collectors.

Breyer manages to keep their collection continually new and exciting by releasing new models each year and retiring a few older models. The retired Breyer models of course become instantly worth far more money for those who have them, and you can readily find a few of them on sale at eBay or at online model horse auction sites. Some will turn up at live auctions, too. But for other people, they keep hold of their precious “retired” models and revel in the fact that they are part of the lucky ones who have them in their possession.

The first Breyer model horse was never intended to become a collectors’ item nor even a horse toy. The Breyer Molding Company was a plastics manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, it was commissioned by the drug store chain F.W. Woolworth’s to create a replica horse to decorate a clock. Their horse was so life-like and well made that Woolworths received many requests to buy JUST the horse. A living legend was born.

The collections that Breyer offers include:

• The TRADITIONAL Breyer collection makes up the “world’s ‘most asked for’ horses since 1950″ group. These are all hand-painted and each one is slightly one of a kind and realistic. These are sculpted in 1:9 scale.

• The SPECIAL RUNS consists of Breyer horses commissioned by a select group of retailers. These horse models are collectors’ dreams and are almost always limited production runs. The US Equestrian Team Foundation and Tractor Supply Store have commissioned special runs and equine film star, Spirt, is one of the models.

• The CLASSICS are specially designed for authentic and imaginative play for younger collectors; they give them realistic horses and superior collectibility. These are sculpted to 1:12 scale.

• The WIND DANCERS are butterfly fantasy horses, and each one is made to embody a different one of the four winds. Breyer says they are “fun, spirited, and gossamer-winged, with brushable manes and tails. Their ethereal wings flutter in the breeze as they float on the gentle winds of the earth, bringing adventure and excitement to those who believe.”

Breyer also creates other accessories especially targeted at younger collectors.