Rachel Fail Custom Tack

Well another commission is complete, and going out in the mail today! This reining bridle was made to match a customer's saddle, and going to be shown on a Chex to Cash resin.  It features all cast buckles and a very nice reining bit from TWMHC on eBay. I also used my last sterling conchos with crystal centers. Now on to a classic scale English set, and another polo set!

Inspired by the new Breyer Polo Pony on the Smarty Jones mold, I thought I would write a post about the fast paced stick and ball game of Polo that is played on horseback. The Polo Pony Breyer mold by C. Hess was introduced in 1976 in classic scale, shown below. History Polo originated over 2000 years ago.  The British organized it in a military fashion before motorized vehicles took the place of horses in society and on the battlefield.  The birthplace of modern polo can be artibuted to the Silchar Club in 1859.  Originally the game was played with nine riders, then reduced to seven, and the current game is played with only four now that the ponies are bigger and faster than their predecessors.  The English height limit in 1876 was 14 hands high, and increased to 14.2 in 1896 before being abolished in 1919.  Polo ponies today average 15.1 hands high. The sport was dubbed "hocky on horseback" by spectators in the 1860's as popularity grew.  Hurli...

Link to Youtube tack tutorial on buckles! In this video I cover tongue and sliding buckle how-to's.

I used Natural Horsemanship when training all my horses, and am a true believer in that style of horsemanship being applied in all disciplines.  I recently had a commission for a Clinton Anderson portrait saddle, rope halter, and "Handy Stick" and it came out lovely! Clinton Anderson is an Aussie with his own brand of Natural Horsemanship, and it was wonderful to make a mini version of things I actually used to use in the real world! I am currently taking orders for the "Handy Stick" for $25 in your choice of stick color, with free shipping! The handle is real rubber coating, and the string is removable. Starting a gaming saddle commission this week, photos to come!

Finally! Another set complete.  This hunter jumper set features a new quilted pad I had a lot of fun designing. I also designed some fleece lined velcro sport boots that are incredibly easy to take on and off the horse.  I can't wait to send this set out to it's new home!

Moving over 3000 miles in 8 days with a 17 month old and dog is not for the faint of heart.  We had a few fun stops along the way, and made it to our new home of Pembroke Pines, FL safely. I drove our trusty Toyota Sequoia towing our travel trailer, and my husband followed in the Prius. The kids hanging in the AC with me while dad gets lunch. The first few days we endured triple digit heat. Arizona KOA, beautiful 80 degree morning. Amazing Mexican diner on Route 66! Stopped at Blue Hole springs in New Mexico. No trip cross country would be complete without Cracker Barrel! It's a nice bonus they always have RV parking! We even stayed in West Monroe and stopped at the Duck Commander store, since we're Duck Dynasty fans! Finally, we have finished unpacking, and live 10 miles from this:  Tack making should resume soon! If I can pry myself away from the 88 degree water.....

Most of the people who learn I make tack for model horses have a hard time believing there is a whole community of hobbyists who share a love of tiny tack and collecting model horses.  Countless kids collect and treasure their Breyers, but not many of them are even aware of the model horse collecting community, especially if they have never attended Breyerfest.  Sharing the hobby with others is one of the biggest reasons I started this blog, and I was delighted to get a phone call from Linda Waller at The Horse Collaborative asking for more information to write an article about my tack and the hobby.  The story can be found by  clicking here. It makes me so happy when I see the response from people who have little to no knowledge of our hobby show interest in what we love. I hope the article encourages more to get involved, and fall in love with the model horse world, as so many of us already have.