Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Breton

Brittany is the small peninsula, northwestern France, west of Normandy beach. They are an official Celtic Region and their language is the origin of both Welsh and Cornish.

The Breton is a French breed that originates from Brittany. This draft horse was improved by the Celts when they were traveling to the British Isles. There are three types: the small Breton Draft Horse (which is considered the original descendant of the ancient Breton Horse), the Breton Draft Horse (the bulkiest of the three), and the Postier Breton (has airy gaits and is the same size as the Breton Draft Horse). These horses are primarily used for farm, hauling, and seaweed harvesting.
The height ranges from 15hh-16hh. The standard color is Chestnut and Roan. Bays do occur, but rarely. The nose is sometimes dished in some individuals.

References:
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Exmoor Pony

The Exmoor Pony is the oldest pony breed in Great Britain. Like the Dartmoor Pony, the Exmoor still lives in semi-feral herds on the moors. They are used in many different disciplines that range from farm work to riding. The Exmoor Pony Society was formed in 1921 and the first studbook wasn't produced until 1963.

The height ranges from 11.1hh-12.3hh. There is only one color that is present in the breed, and that is Mealy Bay.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

A Blustery Day

My original plan for the evening was to take the remainder of the performance pictures for the Breyerfest Photo Show.

Nature said, "No."

It was one of those windy days where the wind was on ground level. When it's up in the trees, it's safe for a photo shoot. But, 15-27 mph winds plus rain? Hopefully, tomorrow would be better.

Instead, I spent the evening playing the board game, Betrayal at House on the Hill, with my family while listening to the wind and rain outside. It's actually a really fun...and sometimes stressful...game of discovering a maze of rooms, accidentally causing a haunt with a roll of dice, defeating the traitor - if you like mystery, hauntings, make-believe...then you'll like this game. I can say that I don't particularly like it when the haunt occurs, but I really like the mystery of what card you pick up for the room you are about to enter....

June has two more days to go (which is hard to believe!) and the countdown to Christmas - er - Breyerfest is only 11 days. 11 DAYS PEOPLES!!!! And then a break.

I really need a break from all this Breyerfest this and Breyerfest that (not that I really mind, it's just mentally draining).

But first...

....I need to get those pictures done...

....and maybe one last custom....

....who really needs a reason to be done....

We'll see about that one

He's pretty stubborn

and grouchy, too.

He better cooperate!

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Fell Pony

Researchers had found that the Fell Pony is a descendant of the modern day Exmoor pony and the extinct Tarpan. Later, like the Dales Pony, Friesians were introduced to the breed when the Romans left some behind in England; in which had inherited the Friesian's floating trot. They are used for pack, riding, and harness. The Fell Pony Society was formed in 1912.

The height ranges from 13hh-14hh. The colors consist of Black, Bay, Brown, and Grey. Only a very small amount of white on the face or the legs are accepted, but a large amount shows impure ancestry.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Dartmoor Pony

The Dartmoor Pony are found throughout England and have existed well before the Celts even entered the British Isles. They were historically used as pit ponies in the mining industry and on farms. Though, the caretakers usually released them once they were no longer of use; so these ponies are semi-feral. They make great mounts for children due to their gentle personality. The first Dartmoor Ponies were introduced to the U.S. in the 1930's.

The height range from 11.2hh-12.2hh. The colors are Bay, Grey, Black, Chestnut, and Roan; while white markings are discouraged. The Pangare gene (Mealy) is also present in the breed.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks
http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/dartmoor-pony/#E

Bye, Bye Diorama Contest Potential Prize...

To be honest, I like this guy. I like his coloring and his pattern. I like his mold. I've like this mold ever since I first saw The Gypsy King portrait in the 2002 box catalog and have yet to acquire one since.

When I started thinking about the Breyerfest 2020 Diorama Contest - I had two drives: the prize model and a non-generic Celtic story (the story of Rhiannon). Of course, I didn't understand that I needed to actually HAVE a diorama, so I took my pictures at Bear Lake.

Aaannnddd theennnn.... Breyer announced the rules for the "virtual" event at the beginning of June with the deadline on the 26th of that month (TODAY!!!). My beautiful idea thrown out the window, the window, the second story window. With a heave and a ho and a mighty big throw. They threw it out the window!! (Not mine, Boy Scout song that uses nursery rhymes). Rules are an actual diorama and a video. OK, the diorama is doable (or so I thought). But what do they want in the video? A few emails later concluded that they wanted(?) a video showing your diorama while you explain what it's about and have words?! like credits?!! I don't know how to do that!!! I can make a regular video and that's just about it! I am NOT that tech savvy! And I know I'm not the only one. It is interesting when times are changing to new methods, it is easy to forget that not everyone can pick it up as easily as the other. It certainly left me horribly stressed and for my own sanity, had to dash the idea altogether and focus on the contest that I actually paid for: the photo show.

So, goodbye Feis.

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Dales Pony

A descendant of the extinct Scottish Galloway Horse, the Dales Pony is native to northern England. This all-around pony was vital to the smaller hill farms, since larger horses weren't as surefooted to survive on the hills. Even though, there had been new blood introduced to the breed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Dales Pony still remained similar to it's ancestor, the Dutch Friesian. The Dales Pony Improvement Society was formed in 1916, but with the rise of World War II, the population significantly dropped that only four individuals were registered by 1955. Later in 1963, the Dales Pony Society worked toward reviving the breed.

The height ranges from 13.2hh-14.2hh. The colors include Bay, Black, Brown, and Grey. White marking do occur and are allowed in the breed.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The British Spotted Pony

The British Spotted Pony shares much of the same history as the British Appaloosa. Spotted horses were the thrill, as art portrays, until the Victorian era when Spanish horses gained popularity. Though no longer in demand, small breeders continued sustain the land with these spotted horses and ponies. The British Spotted Horse and Pony society was established in 1946 to retain the ancient blood. In 1977, the society split to become the British Appaloosa Society and the British Spotted Pony Society. These ponies are used for riding and driving.

The height ranges up to 14.2hh. They display the full range of the Leopard Complex gene on a Bay, Black, or Chestnut base.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/british-spotted-pony/

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The British Appaloosa

The British Appaloosa is in fact not directly related to the Appaloosa, but instead to the same ancestors. Spotted horses and ponies have existed in Europe for centuries before they landed in America. There are cave paintings, medieval paintings, paintings all the way up to the 1800's of spotted horses that still exist and of horses that are now no longer spotted. In the 1970's, it was suggested to change the name of the breed to the British Appaloosa because it sounded more elegant than the original British Spotted Horse. The British Spotted Horse and Pony society eventually split into its separate Horse and Pony societies creating the British Spotted Pony Society and the British Appaloosa Society. The Thoroughbred was eventually infused into the breed to become a sport horse.

The height ranges from 14.2hh-15.3hh. The colors include Black, Chestnut, and Bay base colors plus the Leopard Complex. Some are born solid one color that doesn't fade out and become a pattern later on in life. These horses are still accepted in the society because the breed isn't only defined by color.

Breyerfest 2020 Best Customs Contest Prize Cornwall, Sunday Raffle Fields of Heather, Special Run Thorn, Store Special Gale, and Single Day Ticket Stablemate Specials Skye and Jersey could all pass for a British Spotted Horse. Though, if anyone were to show Cornwall and Skye and wanted to keep them a British Spotted Horse - they would need to be crossbreeds due to body stature. Cornwall would need to be crossed with a stock breed because he has a stock body type. Fields of Heather would probably show better as a Nez Pierce Horse (which is an Appaloosa crossed with the Akhal-Teke to re-create the original body type of the Appaloosa). However, due to Fields of Heather's lengthiness, he could still pass as a purebred. Skye is on the new Morgan mold and would need to be crossed with a breed with a like body structure (though smaller, the Kerry Bog Pony is noted for their Morgan-like body type). Another solid colored horse, Jersey would pass as a purebred. I included both Skye and Jersey here because their solid coloring works for the occasional non-spotted horses that do occur. Thorn and Gale, so far, displays the typical stature and coloring for this breed.

References:

http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/british-appaloosa/

https://www.appaloosa.org.uk/newpage

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Eriskay Pony

It is said that the Eriskay Pony is rarer than the Giant Panda because it is the last surviving descendant of both Celtic and Norse ancestry in the the western isles of Scotland, known as the Hebrides. Their numbers dropped rapidly due to intense crossbreeding to develop other breeds like the Highland Pony. The people of Eriskay Island became the last known breeders of this pony (very much like how the people of the Connemara bred Ireland's original pony). An association for the breed was formed in 1972.

Their height range from 12hh-13hh. Their uniform color is Grey, though Pinto patterns do occur. The base colors include Brown, Black, and Bay.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Highland Pony

The Highland Pony is one of Scotland's oldest and most common breeds. They were molded by the harsh terrain to become these stable, surefooted ponies. They are used for riding, pack, and farm work. The Highland Pony Society was founded in 1923.
The height ranges from 12.1hh-14.2hh. Their colors consist of the Dun gene and the Grey gene, though the self colors, Black and Brown, do exist.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Clydesdale

The Clydesdale, slightly smaller, more elegant, and less feather than that of a Shire, is a true native of Lanarkshire, Scotland (the old name of Lanarkshire is Clydesdale). Surprisingly, the actual breed isn't very ancient. The ancestor, the Flemish Great Horse, was imported during eighteenth century as war horses and for farm work. Eventually, the Flemish Great Horse mixed with local horses to create the Clydesdale - which became the official name in 1826. The Clydesdale Horse Society was founded in 1877. The breed suffered a decline when the tractor took over the farm work. But, they regained popularity with the promotion of the Budweiser beer company.

The height ranges from 16.1hh-18hh. The colors include Bay, Black, Grey, and Sabino. The example above displays the Sabino1 gene, which is a simple, lacy-edged pattern of white extending up from the underside with a characteristic white face. Polygenic Sabinos display a more roany effect that covers the entire body. Clydesdale breeders calls this pattern "Roan," but keep in mind that this is not the same color as the genetic True Roan (Rn).

Breyerfest's 2020 Store Special Benelli displays the typical pattern combination of Grey plus Sabino1.

References:

"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

ROOAARRRR!!!!! PHOTO SHOWS FOR DINOS!!!!!!

Yes, there are Photo Shows that have classes for Dinosaurs, as well as other animals - real or mythical. Come to find out, MEPSA has a once a year special for all the non-horsie plastic animals. Of course, I was thinking of passing on the opportunity of doing something with all my plastic animals that are just sitting around doing nothing and not being played with. But then I thought, why not? It was fun getting them all out and picking out who's in the greatest condition to show. As it is, a vast majority of these guys I've had since I was a little girl. 

These are from two photo shoots, one at home (the little guys that need my mom's Macro Lens) and one while camping last weekend (the big guys - it was really weird not bringing any horsies!). Here are some of my favorites.

 This one came with a paleontologist Barbie outfit.

 I have three (or four?) of this same mold and they all are slightly different from each other in the same uniform green.

 This is Petrie from The Land Before Time.

 I have two of these guys.

 This long-neck came with the orange Stegosaurus at the top.

 I have three of him - all different shades of green.

 I have no idea where or when I got him. He's apart of my oldest collection. Anybody knows what the JP logo is on his flank?

 I entered this guy even though he has a LOT of play scuffs and rubs.

 This girl is apart of the most recent collection. I had never seen one like her.

 He's my newest guy. He's a Breyer Collecta and I thought they did a great job portraying a different pose other than just standing there. Got him for Christmas last year.

 This is Little Foot from The Land Before Time. That is, I think he's Little Foot. I think I might have two Little Foots....???

 Here's Spike, also from The Land Before Time....You could probably tell what one of my favorite series was when I was a kid.

 I think this guy came from my brother's Mega Bloks Dragons set. I really liked his coloring in comparison to the other dragons available in the sets.

 This girl was a pain to photograph! Her head is just too far away from her body to come in-focus. This was the best I got!

This guy's one of the big ones.

She is too. It was weird getting them out. They felt almost small. But then, I was smaller then.

Talk about nearly blinding yourself while trying to get a flying photo!

 This is Aladar or Alidar - can't remember how to spell his name, both look foreign to me. Anyways, he's an Iguanadon and he's from Disney's "Dinousaur." I loved that movie!

And Sally, I think it was Sally...? Obviously I didn't drill myself on my plastic animal names as often as I did my Breyers.

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Connemara Pony

Connemara Ponies hail from the Connemara Mountains in western County Galway, Ireland. The breed was strictly Celtic, until the Spanish Armada shipwrecked on Ireland's shores - introducing Spanish blood into the breed. They are used for every kind of riding discipline, notably for children. They are bred in Ireland, America, Australia, and in various countries in Europe.

The height ranges from 13-14.2hh. The colors include Bay, Black, Chestnut, Dun (a once predominant color), Roan, Grey, and Brown. These hardy ponies were shaped by their environment.

Breyerfest's 2020 Three-day Ticket SR W.H. Topgun and Single Ticket Arran are classic examples of the Connemara Pony because the breed also exibits the Sooty Gene, a modifier gene that involves brown hairs extending from the top line down over the body. This could range from minimal to the entire horse (these ones need genetic testing to find the true base color). Dappling is very common with this gene.

References:

https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/connemara
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Kerry Bog Pony

I was originally going to post this series in one big post, but I realized that it would be easier for me to do it in pieces. And now that Breyerfest is on the count down, I figured I better get this Breed Studies series finished.

One thing to keep in mind about me is that I LOVE anything having to do with the Celts. From culture to music to art and now horses. And there are some key characteristics in these Celtic pony descendants that I want you to keep an eye out for.

The Kerry Bog Pony originates from County Kerry (hence the name), Ireland. They were used for light draft work and as pack animals - especially since their surefootedness when navigating the bogs. It is believed they are decedents of the extinct Hobby Horse. Their numbers dropped when they were used by the English as pack animals in the Peninsular War. After the Great Famine (the Potato Famine) and the switch to the Tractor, their numbers decreased so far that there were only twenty individuals in 1994. To prevent extinction, a man by the name of John Mulvihill from Glenbeih, Co. Kerry, who started a breeding program to save and promote the breed. The stud, Flashy Fox became the leading sire to well over 100 foals. The first Kerry Bog Ponies were imported to the U.S. was in 2002.

The height ranges from 10-12hh. They come in the colors: Bay, Brown, Black, Chestnut, Grey, Dun, and Palomino. Interestingly, the registry in Ireland doesn't accept Tobiano (which does occur in the breed), only minimal white markings. The registry in America, however, does (so, the photo above is an example of an American-bred). The body structure is similar to the Morgan Horse, with a dished face similar to the Arabian.

Breyerfest's 2020 Three-day Ticket SR Brighid and Beltane could pass for an American-bred Kerry Bog Pony, while being on the new Welsh Pony molds. I was already aware that Tobiano doesn't occur in any of the Welsh pony/cob breeds, so I knew they had to be Kerry Bog Ponies. After some research, surprisingly, the larger Kerry Bog Ponies are the same height of the smaller Welsh Mountain Ponies. But, Welsh Ponies can reach the height of an Icelandic Horse. So, I asked through a FB group if anyone had both the Breyer Icelandic and the Breyer Welsh Pony Mare to do a comparison. And Lo Behold! The Breyer Welsh Pony Mare is indeed smaller than the Icelandic and could pass for a Welsh Mountain Pony...and in turn, a Kerry Bog Pony.

References:

https://www.horsebreedspictures.com/kerry-bog-pony.asp

https://www.kerrybogpony.org/KerryBogPony.html
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

Breyerfest Best Customs Contest

In my prep work for Breyerfest, I can officially say that the Best Customs Contest entries is checked off. YAY!

So, meet Geoffrey the Coyote Dun Shetland Pony! He is entered in the Most Extreme Division. (When I saw this division, I knew I had to do one of my fuzzy ponies!!!)

Next, we have Sonya the Wind Dancer. Obviously, she is in the Fantasy Division.

A Merry Find!

Back in May, I saw a post on Model Horse Customizers FB group of body grade model horses for sale. Of course, once I saw that there were two Shetland Ponies (plus a few others) - I knew I had to grab them as soon as possible due to their decent price. Once everyone came in the mail, I usually go onto Identify Your Breyer to see exactly who these ponies really are. And boy, was I in for a surprise! Not to mention that I felt bad for wanting to customize a vintage dappled grey model whose whites were still fairly white, but he ended up being none other than a darker variant of the original Merrylegs from the Classic Black Beauty set! Nope, not customizing this one!

But I did have to repair his hindleg. Matching colors is always stressful for me since there aren't very many guides out there for repairing model horses. My dad helped me see some of the influencing colors. The other side of his leg isn't that good, so I decided to have him only for Photo Shows.

Protective covering for spraying the matte and gloss finishes. I think he is a Glossy, so matching the sealant was another sketchy challenge.

I admit that it was probably too hot to leave these precious plastic ponies out in the sun. I checked them, and they were not harmed by the sun's burning rays. I moved them into the shade once I realized this.

 All ready for her first show! Yes, I say "her" for three reasons. One, the mold's a mare and this was a common occurrence for many of the guy Breyers of that era. Two, judges advise against labeling a mare mold a stallion or a gelding and vise versa. Unless they have a hindleg that comes far enough forward to hide the area - then label the model according to the gender of the mold. Lastly, to be honest, when I look at her face, she looks like a mare to me.

And here she is, Merrylegs the Welsh Mountain Pony coming over to get a treat!

What an awesome find!