10 Model Horse Websites I Couldn't Live Without

What did we do before the internet? I don't remember...I think they had these things called books or something. Anyway we don't need those now do we :p Here is my list of ten model horse websites I literally couldn't survive without!

1. Identify Your Breyer

Link: http://identifyyourbreyer.com/

I swear I must use this site about a million times a day, yes my brain is useless and forgets mould names ALL THE TIME. It's just invaluable and everytime I go on there I seem to find another model I want to add to my collection.

2. Equine Resin Directory

Link: http://www.equineresindirectory.com/#search

This site is brilliant. It's great for idying resins of course and for eye candy but I also find it helpful if I want to search for a model of a specific breed. The breed search function is so handy! Great if you are after something really unique for your collection (or have just decided you really really really want a resin Dartmoor and want to know your options).

3. Facebook

Link: https://www.facebook.com/

OK so this isn't a model horse website but the model horse community is so strong on Facebook I couldn't imagine going back to the old ways of Yahoo groups and forums. Forums were amazing and I do miss them but having thousands of hobbyists friends across the world? That's pretty awesome too.

4. Strawberry Reef

Link: http://www.strawberryreef.com/

As many of you know I do rather like My Little Ponies. Strawberry Reef is a brilliant reference site if you want to ID your MLP.

5. My Model Horse Database

Link: http://mymhdb.com/www/main/index.php

Having an electronic catalogue of your models is so useful and I've found this site really easy to use. I am still working on transferring my whole there so if the computer dies again at least I have a backup!

6. Julip Identification

Link: http://www.labratango.com/JulipID/Julipindex.html

I can never remember the names of Julip moulds and therefore find this site really useful.

7. Google Sheets

Link: https://www.google.co.uk/sheets/about/

Again this isn't a model horse website but it is invaluable when it comes to organising your models and accessing your spreadsheets at shows. You could also use something like OneDrive or DropBox or similar products.

8. Later

Link: https://later.com/

This is another one that isn't technically a model horse website but really useful for the hobbyist. You do have to pay a subscription but it allows you to upload and schedule posts from across your social media platforms, including Instagram

9. Model Horse Sales Pages

Link: http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/

Where would we be without MH$P? Probably a lot richer...

10. eBay

Link: https://www.ebay.com/

Again not a model horse site but one of the best places to buy and sell model horses.

Winston

The new Copperfox Shire has been released!

He will be available in plastic from October....that's soooooo long away....

2018 Model Horse Bucket List

This is kind of like goals but maybe a bit different. I've never thought of doing a model horse bucket list before but I definitely have loads of things I would like to do with model horses over my lifetime! But this is a list of things I would like to do this year.

1. Own a Copperfox Welsh



Why do I not have one of these already? (actually I know why they didn't have any I liked when I went to a tour date). I am going to the Gloucestershire tour in February and plan to get a chestnut. I will own a Welsh!

2. Buy a grail



I have a list of grail models and my aim for this year is to own one of them. Who wouldn't want to finally buy a grail model?

(and yes that is a Monty Python joke)

3. Run a house show



I have wanted to do this for so long. So maybe when we move house I can finally do this and run my own little house show. Although if I could just own a house as big as the one above maybe it would be slightly larger :p Well a girl can dream!

4. Do some beach photography



I need a beach and some model horses. I have done this before years ago with Crackers but I want to do a proper beach photoshoot!

5. Take Chestnut Ridge to a large event



I planned on doing this last year but the Summer just ruined everything. So the aim for this year is to get Chestnut Ridge out and get a stall at a much larger event than the little village fetes and fairs we normally do.

Applying Your Real Horse Studying to Models

Many hobbyists may work in industries that have nothing to do with horses, some won't have ever ridden a real horse. But for some of us model horses go hand in hand with a career working with horses, a career that often involves a certain amount of studying.

That studying is invaluable when it comes to helping your model horse knowledge and vice versa! For those of us who have studied equine science at University one of the most valuable lessons was definitely dissection. Actually having the chance to see how the muscles and skeleton fit together on a real horse and understand the underlying structures is invaluable when it comes to judging a model horse. I would recommend everyone who judges or customises at least looks at drawings and diagrams of how the horse is made up, even if you don't want to look at pictures of (or even better see a real life) dissection. 

Knowledge on how to correctly fit tack is also so important. If you have ever studied for your BHS exams or Pony Club badges you will know that understanding how to fit tack is a vital part of this. This is so so so important when it comes to performance, both judging and showing. If you know how to fit a saddle to a real horse then you can easily tell whether the saddle correctly fits a model horse! The same goes for bridles and other bits of equipment too. All that time spent in Pony Club learning about how many fingers each thing should be from each part of the horse is invaluable, put those skills to good use when you are judging a performance class.

Carrying on with the performance idea we come to rider's position. If you've ever ridden you will have had various things shouted at you about potato sacks and slouching and shoulders back and other things. Now look at the doll on the horse. Would you shout at her? Are her heels down and her shoulder's back? Is there a straight line from ear, shoulder, hip and heel? Where is her knee? What length are her stirrups? Are they suitable jumping or dressage length? Are her thumbs on top and her hands holding the reins? (ok as far as is possible with badly behaved dolls).

Then comes the inspiration part. I always think I can use model horses to help me study and often have done. A friend of mine once completed a custom where she had painted all the muscles of the horse onto the model, Breyer also did a similar model year's ago. If you are having to learn the names of all the vertebrae or which tendons and ligaments go where why not help your revision by also creating a really cool custom? The same goes for other elements of learning as well. You could build the ideal stable environment, thinking about the bedding, fixtures, size and everything else that goes into the perfect stable. Or you could create a horse sick pasture with a warning about various types of dangerous plants, adding them all in in miniature? See how much inspiration you can get just from attempting to revise things? 

Other important things you'll learn that will help your performance involve how the horse moves and stride lengths. If you show jumping you'll know all about strides and pacing but it's amazing how many performance entries you see where the horse is just in completely the wrong place for the jump. Think about your model horse's stride and where you need to place them so they have the optimal take off for that jump. Each jump is different and will require a certain amount of height and width to clear it, all of that effects where you take off and where you land.

Finally, even if you've never studied anything to do with horses I would recommend that you get your paws on a Manual of Horsemanship. You really can't go wrong, not everything is strictly correct (just ignore everything about horse colour and go and buy something like the Equine Tapestry if you want to learn about that) but the basic information will help to give you inspiration and improve your in hand and performance judging/showing.

Relaxing from Model Horses

Model horses are supposed to be fun right? So why does it sometimes feel so stressful? As with any hobby model horses can consume your whole life if you let them, so here are some of my top tips to help you relax from model horses and take back control!

1. Stay organised



It's really important whatever you are doing with your models that you stay organised, just like everything else in life. I always remember a teacher at school saying "I know if I just spent a few minutes tidying my desk at the end of each day it wouldn't get messy but instead I leave it for 2 months and then have to spend 4 hours doing it". The same goes for model horses.

Make a little time each day to keep on top of things and you won't feel so overwhelmed.

2. Take time off



Make sure to take some time off from the hobby now and again. Utilise the winter break from showing to get organised. Having time off will also make you miss the bits about the hobby you love. If you think it's all getting too much then don't be afraid to walk away for a bit, there is no harm in having a break, we'll all still be here when you get back.

3. Stay away from Facebook drama



OK so we all like to get the popcorn out occasionally but all that negativity can wear you down. This goes for most things in life really. If you have really negative people on your timeline then hide them, you'll feel a lot better for it and be able to focus on the positives.

4. Stay positive!



Things aren't that bad and although sometimes crap happens and you have a bad day you'll also have loads of amazing times in the model horse hobby. If you are feel run down then focus on something positive and good. Constantly moaning won't get you anywhere and will just reinforce that negative mood! Maybe try out something new or read some funny blog posts, you could even create your own little photo story to amuse yourself and others.

5. Remember....it's a hobby!



Model horses are not the be all and end all of everything and afterall it's just a bit of fun really (although some people may not make it feel that way). If it's making you stressed out then step back, re-evaluate and think about what you want. Try and identify the causes of those negative feelings and remove them. It may be putting away that stressful project, blocking that nasty Facebook person or taking a few months off from showing.

Top 10 Live Show Snacks

Mmmm snacks. We all need snacks to get us through a tough day of showing. Afterall isn't that what it's all about? Eating way too much cake? Remember, live show calories, just like service station calories, don't count!

1. Cake



It is not a live show without cake! As show host you have a legal responsibility to ensure there is plenty of cake for me to eat. It's essential.

2. Energy drinks



Yea yea I know they're bad for you but a little bit won't hurt will it? I seriously could not get through some shows without my red bull!

3. Crisps



A pretty standard snack provided by most hosts raiding the multi-packs for the best flavours before they run out is essential! Beef and Onion anyone?

4. Tiny little brownie bites & similar



You know those packets of tiny little yummy things you get from supermarkets and are usually on 3 for 2 or 3 for £10 or something. Yep I need those.

5. Sausage/Non Sausage Rolls



No I'm not just adding this in because Brendon is a manager for Greggs! Bonus points if they are warm. Veggie alternatives are also welcome.

6. Curtis' grandma's coconut macaroon things



OMG THESE WERE AMAZING! I could literally eat like a whole plate of them, I suspect I probably did (sorry guys)

7. Proper sandwiches



Thick bread, lots of filling. Last year at BMECS I basically survived off buttered bread. You just can't go wrong with a proper sandwich.

8. Toasties from the place next to the Welsh show



At one show last year I was ill. Proper ill. I would not have made it through if it had not been for the toasties from the place next door. All shows should have someone next door selling hot toasties!

9. Gingerbread



Nom. Nom. Nom. The vegan gingerbread is equally as yummy.

10. Juice



I honestly couldn't get through shows without my juice. Love my juice. Juice juice juice.

A Day in the Life - 4th of January 2017

It's January, which means it is cold and wet and horrible and very very very windy! It also means I'm busy as anything with trying to get everything done in such a short space of time! WHY IS MY TODO LIST SO LONG?!?!? WHY IS THERE SO LITTLE TIME?!??!

So I thought I would share a typical, early in the year, completely manic, not enough hours in the day, day in the life post.

7am - Alarm goes off. I promptly hit snooze.

7.10 - Alarm goes off for a second time and I remind myself that I really really really should get out of bed and go to my hospital appointment.

7.35am - Dressed (sort of) and with the animals all fed I head off for my first stop of the day, the JR hospital. I drop Brandy off at my parents and with a quick kiss goodbye I go on to sample the joys of Oxford rush hour in the rain.

8.30am - I eventually arrive at hospital and get a space, my appointment isn't till 9 but I have carefully worked out that if you get there before 8.45 you get a space, any later and you don't. So I shall hang around for a bit.

8.40-9.40 - I'm seen early which is great! Appointment lasts an hour, next appointment booked and I'm ready to head off to Abingdon to see my boss.

10.20 - I arrive in Abingdon, all I need to do is sort some stuff off at work and I can go to the Coop next door and get a nice yummy hot chocolate. I still haven't had any coffee though...

11.20ish - I'm out of work and head over to the next door Coop. I get a very healthy breakfast of some chicken, juice, hot chocolate, crisps and a pretzel. Yea so this diet isn't going well so far!

12.00 - I arrive home ready to spend the next three hours on Chestnut Ridge based items! But first I put the kettle on for that much needed coffee. Half my day is already gone and I feel like I haven't done much at all....

12.09-12.33 - PARCELS! It's everyone's favourite time of the day! I get all the orders placed yesterday and this morning packed up ready to head off to the post office. I engage in some suitable ranting with a friend over Facebook (because we all need some therapy and she clearly needs to vent) #multitasking

12.33 - 12.54 - Post Office time. Not many parcels today but a ridiculously long queue and people with complicated angry issues to deal with. Only takes a couple of minutes to actually do my parcels.

12.55 - 13.03 - Admin. With another coffee in hand I start getting some boring admin done. Mark all the order as dispatched, answer a few emails and organise a meeting for BETA. All in less than 10 minutes. GO SUPER ME!

13.09 - 13.16 - Now it's time to get some marketing and other stuff done. I start off with a bit of social media work, do a couple of posts on Facebook and Instagram and schedule one more for later.

13.23 - 13.32 - I start writing this Blog! I need to do yesterday's as well because it hasn't been done yet but I'll do that later.

13.32 - 13.34 - A quick bit of answering messages and organising dinner (that's relevant to work because today is National Spaghetti day), btw my weird idea of taking model horse photographs for every 'day' of the year is getting a little out of hand.

13.38 - 14.06 - One of the major things on my ToDo list is writing up results. I blitz out a good half an hour and get all of the ones from Dartmoor Live written up. Just Halloweenies and Lah Di Dah to go and I'll be up to date!

14.09 - 14.37 - After a quick coffee break I start work on January's email newsletter. This does take a bit of time to do but it is an important thing to do at the beginning of every month. It allows me to touch base with our customers and for many it might be the only information they get about new products and competitions, that they of course will want to know about!

14.37-14.55 - I have a bit of time before I need to leave for work (the school I'm teaching at on Thursdays is only 5 minutes down the road which is GREAT) so I quickly write up Halloweenies results, these are the bottom thing on my ToDo list (newest things are at the top) so glad to get those done!

14.55-15.00 - I do a quick check of stuff for work, make sure I've got everything I need (DBS check etc) and then head off to go and do some teaching!

15.00-16.55 - Gosh it's so nice not having a massive drive to and from work! I'm home in plenty of time to get lots of other stuff done which is wonderful :)

17.00 - 17.16 - I spend 15 minutes setting up a paid Facebook promotion for January. This is quite an important part of our advertising budget at the beginning of the year and does generate clicks and revenue, so worth doing. Apologies to those who get our adverts all the time and find them a bit annoying....

17.16 - 17.23 - I realise I never did a Daily Deal today (what's new there....) so I do one. The wisdom of Random.org has chosen August's magazine to reduce by 20% today.

17.23-17.51 - Right next on my ToDo list is a little Stablemate Cleveland Bay. He is nearly done just needs his points and details doing. He's currently drying ready for his final seal upstairs. Feels good to have him nearly done as he's been sat there for waaaay too long!

17.51-17.58 - Book keeping. It's really boring but if you don't do your admin everyday you are going to get yourself in a bit of a pickle!

17.58-18.04 - One of the other things I do every month is order a new promotional item to go in the parcels. This month we are going to try chocolates! Five minutes later and 100 personalised chocolates have been ordered and personalised. I went for plain milk instead of mint milk.

18.04-18.07 - I seal the little Cleveland Bay custom. I then make sure to shut the study door, TIGHT, so that Caesar doesn't go in and knock him over. He's asleep right now but I can't trust him. Also he can open the door which doesn't help.

18.07-19.02 - Dinner time! Celebrating National Spaghetti Day with some spag bol. Whilst it's cooking I use the opportunity to get some housework done and also put clear gloss onto the Cleveland Bay to finish him off.

19.05-20.05 - Now it's time to sort out Popular Votes Photoshows. As well as setting up the new show and announcing the champion from the last one I also enter it. I try to enter as soon as I do the show because that is the best way I have of monitoring if anyone is breaking the rules and liking photos before judging opens.

20.05-20.27 - I now spend some time updating the website, mainly product descriptions and images. Such as this in the box image of Zena



20.27-20.39 - I'm still catching up on random things but I don't want to leave my comfy warm spot on the sofa so it's all online based for now! First up is the model of the day. As well as doing the Facebook and Blog post I also answer a customer query and deal with that half way through.

20.39-20.50 - I didn't do a Blog post yesterday (or maybe I did I don't remember) so I get an extra one done today. I'm supposed to do one a day, but I'm not very good at keeping on top of these things when I've done a 10 hour shift at the yard. In the rain. And the wind.

20.50-21.08 - Time for some hot chocolate and to do a bit more Instagram and Facebook stuffs. Including the 30 Day Photo Challenge, one of the ones I did for today was the beautiful Leandro



I also do a bit of website admin...

21.08-21.37 - I need something I can do whilst watching Death in Paradise so I update all the Schleich listings on the website and do a Blog post with the new Schleich web specials

21.37-21.42 - I do a bit of admin including responding to eBay offers (yea I know I shouldn't be working so late but my hospital appointment this morning means that I haven't go enough work done today)!

21.42-22.00 - I finish up my work day with a bit more admin, answer a few emails and catch up on some of the accounts and spreadsheets. Pretty boring stuff really.

Now it's time for bed. Brendon is staying up to watch Hunted so I shall give Beor his medication and go to sleep, I'll leave the rest of the animals for him to do!