The model horse glossary below is designed to help those new to the hobby with some of its terms that can be a little confusing! It is also published on our website so you can check back if you ever see anything that you don't understand.
As well as terms we've also included a list of abbreviations (which can also be quite confusing)!
Got a term you think should be added? Then drop us a comment below or email me!
Glossary
A
Animal Artistry - This is a brand of resin and china model horses, they often have their own section at live shows
Artist Resin - This are limited run models, sculpted by artists and cast in resin. They are usually sold unpainted from the artist.
B
Bendy CTF - In the UK it is not uncommon for the CTF (that's craft, toy, foundation) section of a live show to be split into 'plastic CTF' and 'bendy CTF'. Bendy CTF models are those made from materials such as latex or rubber. These commonly include Julips, Equorums, RubberNedz and Rydals.
Body - A model that is in poor condition and is good for customising only
Breyerfest - This is a yearly event run by Breyer and held in the USA
C
Classic - These are approximately 1:12 scale model horses
Condition - This refers to the quality of the model
Craft Collectable - Refers to more expensive CTF models, usually RubberNedz, Rydals and non-Foundation Equorums
CTF (Craft, Toy, Foundation) - Refers to a section at model horse shows for models that are either craft made (e.g. felties), toys (e.g. Schleich) or foundation models (e.g. Julips). Often split into bendy and plastic.
Custom - This is a model horse that has been altered in some way. For example it may be repainted.
Customising - This is the process of changing a model horse in some way by repainting, resculpting or mohairing
D
Drastic Custom - A custom model horse that has been greatly altered from its original state and is often unrecognisable as the original model.
E
Etchie - This is a model that has been customized by removing paintwork, usually with some form of blade.
F
Factory Finish - This is a model that is in the same state as it was when it left the factory
G
Glossed - A model with a shiny finish
J
Just About Horses (JAH) - This is a magazine published by Breyer Horses
L
Littlebit - These are 1:18 - 1:24 scale model horses
Live Show - These are events where people meet to show their model horses in person
Live Show Quality - A contentious term that refers to a model being suitable to be shown at a live show
M
Mint in Box - A model that is in good condition and have never been removed from their packaging.
Mohair - A type of natural hair used to hair models
Micro Mini - These are approximately 1:64 scale model horses
N
North American Nationals (NAN) - A USA qualifying live show, horses have to place 1st or 2nd at qualifier shows in order to attend
O
Original Finish - A model that has not been altered in any way since it left the factory/producer
One of a Kind - A model where only one has been made/produced
P
Paddock Pal - Approximately 1:18 - 1:24 scale model horses
Plastic CTF - In the UK it is not uncommon for the CTF (that is craft, toy, foundation) section of a model horse live show to be split into 'plastic CTF' and 'bendy CTF'. The plastic CTF section is for models that are made of plastic, such as Schleich, CollectA, Safari, Mini Whinnies, Grand Champions and Magpies.
Photo Show Quality - A model that is good quality but may have some marks and flaws that would not show up in a photograph
Performance - This is a type of class in which horses are shown with tack on and often also with riders
R
Repainted - A model that has been repainted has new paint added
Resculpted - A model that has been altered and given new sculpting
Regular Run - A model produced as an open run by a company such as Breyer
S
Stablemate - Approximately 1:32 scale model horses
Special Run - A model that has been produced especially for a certain event or in a limited number
T
Traditional - Approximately 1:9 scale model horses
U
Unpainted - A model without paint work
V
Vintage - An older model, definitions vary as to how old but older than 20 years or pre-1990 are currently common definitions
List of Common Abbreviations
A
AA - Animal Artistry/Anglo Arab
AC - Artist China
Andy - Andalusian
ASB - American Saddlebred
ASH - Australian Stock Horse
AQH - American Quarter Horse
AR - Artist Resin
B
BF - BreyerFest
BNIB - Brand New In Box
C
CC - Craft Collectable
CCR - Commercial Resin and China
CF - Copperfox
CM - Custom Finish
COA - Certificate of Authenticity
CR - Chestnut Ridge
You will see the letters CRS on this website quite a lot, this is simply my own prefix and stands for 'Chestnut Ridge Stables'
CTF - Craft, Toy, Foundation
F
FAF - Family Arab Foal
FAM - Family Arab Mare
FAS - Family Arab Stallion
H
HTF - Hard To Find
J
JAH - Just About Horses
I
ID - Irish Draught
ISH - Irish Sports Horse/Ideal Stock Horse
L
LE - Limited Edition
LSQ - Live Show Quality
Ltd - Limited
M
MFT - Missouri Fox Trotter
MH$P/MHSP - Model Horse Sales Pages
MIB - Mint in Box
N
NAN - North American Nationals
NASD - North American Spotted Draft
NRFB - Never Removed From Box
NSH - National Show Horse
O
OF - Original Finish
OOAK - One of a Kind
P
PAF - Proud Arab Foal
PAM - Proud Arab Mare
PAS - Proud Arab Stallion
PB - Partbred
PSQ - Photo Show Quality
Q
QH - Quarter Horse
QVC - Quality, Value, Convenience (an American shopping channel/store)
S
SR - Special Run
T
TB - Thoroughbred
TSC - Tractor Supply Company
TWH - Tennessee Walking Horse
V
VTG - Vintage
