Abby's Nameplate Halter

Jennifer Buxton writes a very popular blog about her life as a miniature tack maker/real horsewoman which is read by people all over the world, myself included. Recently she took orders for miniature nameplate halters, and I ordered one with Abby's name on it.

Several days later, Jennifer posted a picture of the halters - they looked so wonderful, I could hardly wait to see mine in person!

Photo by Jennifer Buxton; used with permission.

Abby's is the one  on the bottom left.

Last week she did a blog article on Abby and the halter. She's given me permission to repost it here.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015

Abby's halter

I make model horse tack, but occasionally I get an order that has more to do with real, live, breathing horses than their plastic counterparts. This was the case with Abby's halter.

 Abby is a chestnut Appaloosa mare owned by Lynn Isenbarger.

She was a rescue, one of a group of  nineteen neglected and abused horses that were taken in by Indiana Horse Rescue in 2011. When Lynn adopted her, she had a badly slippered front hoof and limped for more than a year.

Lynn writes: My son called as I was hauling Abby home in April, 2012 His wife was in labor and later that morning gave birth to our granddaughter, Corinne. Corinne loves the fact that she was born on Abby's "birthday" and calls Abby her "tins hoss" (twin horse.) Makes me smile. 

Granted, I am hugely biased in favor of chestnut varnish Appaloosa mares and all animals name Abby/Abbie, but that makes me smile, too. I am happy every time Lynn posts a picture of Abby on her blog or Facebook page. She is one of my favorite "cyber horses."

Thank you for your order, Lynn. I hope you and your beautiful girl enjoy the halter!

Thanks, Jennifer, not only for the halter but for featuring my sweet girl in your blog!

Hagen Renaker Rocking Horses

Claudia Segger on the Facebook Hagen Renaker Collector's page posted this picture and information:

I believe the most common rocking horses are adult with red rockers and baby with blue. The horses with black spots may be old tests or one-of-a-kind pieces. The unicorn foal is a bone china copy; how fun is that!

Here is a picture of mine:

Right away I notice that mine do not have the black socks hers do.

Jingles/Family Arab Stallion (Leslie's)

Leslie's favorite model, Jingles. Has a stain from the rubber band halters we used to put on our models.

 Prince/Family Arabian Stallion, #7, glossy alabaster, 1958 - 1966, from Leslie's childhood collection.

Quarter Horse Yearling (Jenny's)

From Jenny's childhood collection (the only one of hers that I have). Its coat has a subtle reddish cast that can be seen when mine is next to hers. Unlike mine, it is not a basecoat chalky.

 Quarter Horse Yearling, #101, liver chestnut, 1970 - 1980 (very early piece with only the round Breyer Molding Company stamp.)

Man O' War (Leslie's)

Leslie's Man O' War (and in beautiful shape!)

 Man O' War, #47, 1967 - 1995, early piece as only as round Breyer Molding Company stamp, Leslie's childhood collection.

Proud Arabian Stallion (Leslie's)

This piece has mold/mildew spots, but I currently have it in a sunny window and hope that will take care of that. Another piece that belonged to Leslie, although I do not think I ever had it in my collection prior to this.

 Proud Arabian Stallion, #211, 1971 - 1976/1978 - 1981. with mane and tail stripes. I am sure this piece was produced and in Leslie's collection before 1976.

Western Prancer (Leslie's)

Another from Leslie. I think I had this one, too, and returned it in 1998 for unknown reasons. Saddle is missing, but if I remember right, I have one tucked away in a box in my closet. It may belong to this piece.

 Cheyenne/Western Prancing Horse, #110, 1963 - 1986. From Leslie's childhood collection.

 Notice the drainboard pattern on the bottom of his hooves and the belly drip and raised foreleg drip.