30 Colour Ideas

Happy Friday everyone! If you are feeling like doing a bit of customising over the weekend I have put together a list of 30 awesome real horses that I think would make really cool model horse customs. Feel free to have a look through, feel inspired and maybe steal one for your own custom projects this week.

1. Black Akhal Teke

Image: By User:Artur Baboev - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27441300

The show ring is full of lovely cream dilute Akhal-Teke with shimmering coats so why not try something a bit different? This black is absolutely beautiful, his ginger highlights look almost bronze in the sun. A really stunning horse that would look amazing as a custom.

2. Very Pink Appaloosa

Image: By bankerssilvermoon - DSC05703, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5053401

Somebodies just had a bath! I love how pink the skin on this Appaloosa is. He also has a really unusual pattern with lots of mapping and grey as well as quite subtle spots. Definitely something a bit different if you are going for a spotted.

3. Another Spotty Bum

Image: By own work by original uploader, which was RL65 at fr.wikipedia - Personnelle, own work, Transferred from fr.wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6014572

The blanket on this guy is just spectacular, he would make an amazing custom.

4. Another Appaloosa

Image: By Daniel Johnson - originally posted to Flickr as 20070518_1898, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8289477

I may have gotten slightly distracted by spotted horses. Anyway here is another gorgeous and slightly unusual Appaloosa. I love the way the white speckles across his withers and down the shoulder.

5. Rabicano Arabian

Image: By Montanabw - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10254170

A lovely chestnut rabicano Arabian. This one would also make a great drastic custom if you are feeling a little bit more adventurous.

6. Dapple Bay Bardigiano

Image: By Fioravante Patrone - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13031205

The dapples on this guy are absolutely gorgeous. I also love the heavy contrast in colour throughout his coat. He would make a really dramatic bay custom.

7. Fluffy Dole

Image: By HaXXa - Own work by the original uploader, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4889769

I love the white this guy has flecks of white throughout his mane. I also like the dramatic contrast between his light coat and dark mane and tail.

8. Another Dapple Bay

Image: By I, Rozpravka, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2499106

Another lovely dapple bay with really heavy dappling throughout his coat. This guy is an Estonian Native if your curious as to breed.

9. Dun Fjord

Image: By Plasma at French Wikipedia - Transferred from fr.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1785872

Fjords are so much fun to paint with their lovely dun colouring and their dramatic contrasting manes. Here you can see a lovely example of the black and white of the mane.

8. Soft Chestnut

Image: By RMBlaney - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113952868

I love how soft the colour on this Galiceno is, she almost looks palomino with her light colouring. Would make a beautiful custom chestnut and suit so many different breeds or moulds.

9. Dappled Haflinger

Image: By Matthias Walther, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11986845

This isn't the best angle but check out the amazing dapples on this Haflinger. A good reference for what the dapples look like from the front as well. Would make a cute little pony custom. Also bonus foal.

10. What the Heck?

Image: By 4028mdk09 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15298674

Sorry I couldn't resist. Anyway look at this unusual native pony style colouring. I particularly like the strong black contrast lines around the ears. O and bonus foal again! (if you don't understand the joke this is a Heck Horse)

11. Light Dun

Image: By Eponimm - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20278727

I really like the colour of this dun, it isn't your usual dun colour and I think he would be a great custom for a pony mould. He is a Henson Horse.

12. Another Bay

Image: By Tuxer2002 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8038902

This is another lovely bay with lots of contrast. This Latvian Horse has some subtle dappling but what I love about him is the highlights and his deep rich red coat.

13. Red Chestnut

Image: By ABTiede - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81027793

I love the deep red chestnut of this Nordlandsest with his red mane and tail to match. Would make a really dramatic custom for a horse you want as a nice rich red chestnut

14. Dramatic Markings

Image: By Gilberto D Junqueira - originally posted to Flickr as colorado rn, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8782840

Although this isn't a very good image you can still clearly see the dramatic markings on this Mangalarga. Maybe combine it with the chestnut above to give a really cool colour combination?

15. Heavy Dapple Grey

Image: By Fábio Vidigal - Arquivo do Rancho Haras Quitumba, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10697750

I love the dapples on this dramatic dapple grey Mangalarga Marchador. Would make a beautiful custom on a huge variety of models.

16. Black Marwari

Image: By Virendra.kankariya - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5091926

I love the markings on this Marwari. There is something so gorgeous about a black horse with heavy white markings. It's a nice shaded black colour as well.

17. Spotty Baby

Image: By JC i Núria - originally posted to Flickr as Cavall a la reserva Nez Perce, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5169909

Another really nice spotted horse. This is a Nez Perce youngster who has a lovely blanket pattern. A good reference for a yearling or similar.

18. Lovely Dapples

Image: By Pieter Delicaat - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150009347

Another horse with really lovely dapples. I love the contrast on this Black Forest's coat and the gorgeous star dapples around his barrel.

19. More Dapples

Image: By Pieter Delicaat - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150009363

Another lovely Black Forest (although actually I think it could be the same horse as above in better lighting)! Anyway nice dapples!

20. Red Bay

Image: By Véronique Mestre Gibaud (Association française du Cheval Arabe-Shagya) - https://www.shagyafrance.fr/, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7685683

I love the red in this Shagya Arabian's coat. A really simple bay with no white markings but wow the dramatic colour in the coat makes him really stand out.

21. Dapple Shire

Image: By Adrian Pingstone (Arpingstone) - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3669603

Some more really lovely dapples here. This Shire has star dapples across her whole coat which just look gorgeous.

21. Flaxen Chestnut

Image: By Sciencia58 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171268978

I love how white the mane and tail on this chestnut South German Coldblood are. The heavy contrast and the subtle dapples make for a really nice coat colour.

22. Pinto Mustang

Image: By Mcgregorranch at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2836821

This is a Spanish Mustang with really lovely and unusual white markings. I love how the marking on his stifle is not as distinctive as normal white markings. He also has a lovely bay colour.

23. Chestnut Pinto

Image: By Kirsty Hagger - Takoda Spanish Mustangs, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32466747

Another really dramatic pinto (and quite a dramatic pose as well). A gorgeous light chestnut with almost a peach like colour to it.

24. Another Pinto

Image: By Just chaos - originally posted to Flickr as Spotted Saddle Horse, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5124025

Not the best reference as the horse is tacked up but again another unusual pinto. This is a Spotted Saddle Horse but I really like the slightly roaned patch of bay and the colour contrast in his tail. He also has a wall eye which is a fun touch.

25. Dapple Buckskin

Image: By Tocekas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4917407

A really heavily dappled buckskin with lots of detail. This guy is a Žemaitukas and I think this colour would suit a pony style mould.

26. Bay Pinto

Image: By Silverije - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79900043

This Croatian Warmblood has another coat with lots of high contrast. He has tonnes of shading, dapples and even pinto markings. He'd make a stunning custom.

27. Bay Welsh

Image: By Elevage de maika - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49734970

Another really nice red bay with lovely markings. Lots of detail and contrast in his coat and a really cute pink nose.

28. Bright Chestnut

Image: By Fefa Koroleva - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47276183

You know sometimes you paint a chestnut and it just ends up orange? Well if you did a custom of this Russian Don it wouldn't matter because he is orange! I love how much his coat glistens in the sun.

29. Silver Dapple

Image: By Andersson LS, Juras R, Ramsey DT, Eason-Butler J, Ewart S, Cothran G, Lindgren G. - Andersson LS, Juras R, Ramsey DT, Eason-Butler J, Ewart S, Cothran G, Lindgren G.: Equine Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies maps to a 4.9 megabase interval on horse chromosome 6. BMC Genet. 2008 Dec 19;9:88. PMID: 19099555, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6506295

The Rocky Mountain Horse is renowned for its silver dapple colouration and this guy is a really dramatic example. Lots of amazing dapples, a white glistening mane and huge contrast in his coat.

30. Red Dun Quarab

Image: By Montanabw - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56826320

We are finishing with this lovely red dun. I love how smooth and subtle his coat is, with a lovely red mane.

If you've found inspiration in this post and painted any of the horses please do make sure to share pictures, I would love to see how they turn out

My Favourite AQH Moulds

Today we are looking at the lovely American Quarter Horse (AQH). The AQH is one of the oldest American breeds with the history of its breeding dating back to the 1600s. A stock horse breed it was named after its ability to run at speed over a quarter of a mile.

There are a wealth of AQH moulds out there but today we are going to focus on Breyer AQH moulds, if we went into resins as well I'm afraid we would be here all day! I've also tried to limit myself as again, we would be here all day!

In no particular order here are my favourite Breyer AQH moulds:

1. Bobby Jo

OK so I said in no particular order but there are no surprises as to who I have put first on my list. Bobby Jo was first released as part of the Premier Club in 2015 and is sculpted by Morgen Kilbourn. Originally released as a Paint Horse there have been seven solid colour releases which would suit an AQH

BreyerFest 2016 special run 'Sheila'

2. Roxy

I have a real soft spot for the Roxy mould. I think it's a lovely representation of the AQH but with a much softer feel than many other sculpts, which can often feel harsh in their heavy muscling. She also just has the sweetest face. Released in 2009 and sculpted by Susan Carlton Sifton there are 16 solid colour releases that would suit the AQH

Regular Run release - Bet Yer Blue Boons

3. G4 Reining

A little Stablemate now, I really love the WEG set of Stablemates and particularly the cute little reiner. Sculpted by Kathleen Moody and first released in 2010 for the World Equestrian Games this mould has ten solid colour releases that would suit the AQH breed.

Mystery Horse Surprise - Series 4 - G4 Reiner in grey

4. G4 Loping Quarter Horse

Another little Stablemate now. I know this mould is not everyone's cup of tea but I really like him, I think he's such a cute little mould. He was sculpted by Jane Lunger and was originally released in 2013. He has been released in solid colours five times and all would suit the AQH breed.

Horse Crazy Surprise - Series 3 - G4 Loping Quarter Horse in chestnut

5. Lady Phase

No list of Quarter Horse moulds would be complete without everyone's favourite, the Lady Phase mould. An older Breyer mould it was sculpted in 1976 by Chris Hess and has been a firm favourite of collectors ever since. She has no less than 46 solid colour releases so if you are after a new AQH you  are bound to find a Lady Phase that you will like.

Stock Horse Treasure Hunt - Grey - Long Tail Variation

6. Zippo Pine Bar

I also feel no list would be complete without good old Zippo. Zippo Pine Bar was sculpted by Sommer Prosser and was first released in 1999. He has been released in 13 different solid colours.

Custom Zippo Pine Bar in palomino

7. M1 Smart Chic Olena

When I was making the list I originally included Smart Chic in my selection, but then I thought I actually prefer the Stablemate shrinkie than the Traditional model. So the Traditional scale model went out and the shrinkie came in. Smart Chic Olena was originally sculpted by Susan Carlton Sifton and released in 2005. In 2020 he was first released in Stablemate scale as part of their new range of Shrinkie models. He has been released in five different solid colours which would suit the AQH breed.

70th Anniversary Mystery Horse Surprise - Palomino Smart Chic Olena

8. American Quarter Horse Mare

No list of anything would be complete without a few classics. First on my selection of classic scale Quarter Horses is the newer Quarter Horse Mare mould. This mould was sculpted by Kathleen Moody and first released in 2005. She has eight solid colour releases which would suit the AQH breed.

Regular run Dun Quarter Horse

9. Hollywood Dun It

This is definitely my favourite classic scale Quarter Horse. Hollywood Dun it is a fun mould in a dramatic reining pose. He was sculpted by C.M. Herden in 1998. He has eight solid colour releases which would suit the Quarter Horse breed.

Game Day Surprise - 2025 BreyerFest Limited Edition

10. Reining Stock Mare

I thought I'd finish off with a Mini Whinnie, because why should the big horses get all attention. The model I've picked is the little Reining Stock Mare, she is a really cute little model (if not a little wobbly at times) and reminds me of the Bobby Jo mould with a similar pose. She has nine solid colour releases that would suit the AQH breed and make a cute addition to your CTF show string.

Mares Collection - Palomino Reining Stock Mare

Which is your favourite Breyer AQH mould? I'd love to know whether you agree with my choices or whether you'd pick someone else.

Also you'll note I left out the G2 Appaloosa, but don't worry, I'll make sure to do another stock horse post at some point and leave the poor boy in. To make up for it I have used him for tomorrow's Facebook post.

Mould Focus: Alborozo

For today's mould focus we are going to be looking at one of the most infamous moulds, the Alborozo mould. 

About the Mould

The Alborozo mould was first sculpted in 2008 and introduced as the BreyerFest Celebration model in that year. He was sculpted by Brigitte Eberl and was a portrait of the famous Andalusian stallion of the same name. Done in a dynamic pose he was a lovely example of the breed. He is mould number 719.

What made Alborozo unique was that after the initial run of 6,000 models produced for BreyerFest in that year Breyer intentionally broke the mould. This means that the only obtainable release on the mould was the BreyerFest 2008 Celebration Horse. Since then there have been a few auction models but you will not see another obtainable Alborozo again (with the exceptions of the shrinkies).

BreyerFest 2008 Live Auction model

Releases

There have been eight releases on the Traditional scale Alborozo mould. The mould has been shrunk and there are several shrinkie releases (see below) but here we are just going to focus on the Traditional releases.

Alborozo

Release Year: 2008
Model Number: 711108
Colour: Grey

Finish: Matte

Run Number: 6,000
BreyerFest 2008 Celebration Horse

Glossy Alborozo

Release Year: 2008

Model Number: 711108G

Colour: Grey

Finish: Glossy

Run Number: 30

BreyerFest 2008 Costume Contest Prize

Smutty Palomino

Release Year: 2008

Model Number: NA

Colour: Palomino

Finish: Matte

Run Number: 1

BreyerFest 2008 Live Auction model

Glossy Dapple Bay

Release Year: 2012

Model Number: NA

Colour: Bay

Finish: Glossy

Run Number: 1

BreyerFest 2012 Live Auction model

Alegria

Release Year: 2014

Model Number: 711192

Colour: Grulla

Finish: Matte

Run Number: 3

BreyerFest 2014 Early Bird Raffle model

Buckskin Sabino

Release Year: 2019

Model Number: NA

Colour: Buckskin Sabino

Finish: Glossy

Run Number: 1

BreyerFest 2019 Live Auction model

Blue Roan

Release Year: 2024

Model Number: NA

Colour: Blue Roan

Finish: Matte

Run Number: 1

BreyerFest 2024 Live Auction model

Pegasus

Release Year: 2025

Model Number: NA

Colour: Blue Pinto Decorator (added wings)

Finish: Pearl

Run Number: 1

BreyerFest 2025 Live Auction model

Sale price for the BreyerFest 2025 Live Auction model

In The Show Ring

In the show ring the obvious choice for a breed for Alborozo is Andalusian and as he is a good example of this breed. However, I have also seen some lovely custom Lusitanos on the mould which would also be an excellent choice.

If customised to a colour that isn't suitable for the Andalusian or Lusitano breed you may have to be more creative. Breeds such as the Spanish Mustang or Spanish Jennett may be suitable depending on the level of customisation.

But if you have the bog standard 2008 Celebration Model I'd recommend going for the Andalusian.

An Alborozo in the show ring at BMECS 2014

Shrinkie

In 2014 Breyer shrunk the Alborozo mould for the first time. The first shrinkie was around Paddock Pal scale and was released in crystal. Plateado was released for BreyeFest 2014 and was a run of 350.

In 2018 the Stablemate Shrinkie was first released. He was initially released as a unicorn available both in the Horse Crazy Surprise bags as a lilac unicorn and the blue chase piece and as part of the Paint and Play individual sets. In 2019 he was first released without his horn as part of the Mystery Horse Surprise Series 2 (he was both a standard model in dun and also the chase piece in silver) and then as a BreyerFest Store Special 'Sarge'. Since then he has had 34 releases with 21 unicorns and 13 non-unicorns.

The 2021-2022 regular run release, Mulberry Grey Andalusian.

Like his larger cousin he shows well as an Andalusian or Lusitano but can easily be customised to suit other Spanish style breeds. The numerous unicorn releases also mean he is great for decorator collectors as he has had more decorator releases than realistic colours (several of the non-unicorns are also decorators).

The 2021-2024 regular run release, Peridot

This shrinkie has made a hard to obtain mould obtainable and also means you feel less guilt when customising one as you can use the little version instead!

BreyerFest Second Chance Sale

Friday saw the launch of this year's BreyerFest second chance sale. There is a really good selection of models available this year and, although some are sold out, there are still lots of nice models to get hold of.

Let's have a look at what is available

Special Runs

The following special runs are available to purchase

Thingvellir - $75

Litha - $75 - SOLD OUT

Birka & Ribe - $90

Aquavit  - $75

Hirtir - $70

Scandi Surprise - $90 - SOLD OUT

The Wanderer - $80 - SOLD OUT

Oseberg - $80 - SOLD OUT

Midnattssol - $80 - SOLD OUT

Limited Editions

Uff Da - $78

Hygge - $16

Best of BreyerFest Series 7 - $65

Ojvind - $75

Pyxis av Drommarna - $85 - SOLD OUT

Vindur from Dalalif - $75

Dalarna - $38

Blom - $20

Skogafoss - $55

Event Models

Corgi Hill Flinka - $60

Event Stablemate (Random) - $25

Event Stablemates (Set of Four) - $100 - SOLD OUT

Merch

Can Koozie - $5

Fluffy T-Shirt - $30

Rather Be At BreyerFest Tank - $20

Skal T-Shirt - $30

Metallic Tumbler with Straw - $22

Rather Be At BreyerFest Hoodie - $60

Horse Girl Summer Water Bottle - $25

Midsummer Night's Breed Tank - $20

Skal Joggers - $45

Logo Water Bottle - $25

Visor - $25

Breyer Life Journal - $20

Enamel Pin - $5 - SOLD OUT

Skal Sticker - $2

Flower Pot - $5 - SOLD OUT

Wildflower Seed Packets - $15

Black Metal T-Shirt - $30 - SOLD OUT

Wine Tumbler - $15

Other

VIP Model Package - $1000 - SOLD OUT

What have you managed to get hold of in the sale? I definitely want to add an Aquavit but I am going to hold off until BF next year as I suspect they will be in one of the bundles as there are clearly quite a few left