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cream of the crop. That says it all! Black Horse Ranch Collection model horses
are just that. Up until our introduction of our own line of model horses in
1994, what was available to collectors of horse artwork was either so outdated
in style or unaffordable to most people. BHR has been selling model horses of
all brands and types for over 30 years! Our customers demanded change--by listening
to them, we were in tune to what they wanted in horse artwork.
Thus, the BHR Collection was born!
Several key ideas were to become the basis for the entire line. First of all,
current breed standards have changed over the years, and with the high costs
of molds and molding, other manufacturers were resistant to introducing new
molds, and would instead recycle old ideas with new colors. Most people, even
non-horse people, can see the change in the Quarter Horse of the past and the
Quarter Horses that now dominates the show ring. Breeds have evolved into sub-types
of the same breed--for instance, a halter-type Quarter Horse is greatly different
to the Western Pleasure Horse and the hunter-type Quarter Horse.
Our focus is on specific horses--portraits catching the key elements to what
makes that horse the champion it is. If the horse has funny little chestnuts,
the model will have funny little chestnuts. We can do this because of the media
we use. BHR Collection models are made of high quality polyresin, a material
that is combined in liquid form with a mixture of porcelain dust. The mixture
is pumped into a silicone rubber mold under vacuum conditions. Because the rubber
mold is an exact replica of the original, all of the details contained in the
master piece are captured in the copies. All of the tiny hairs in the braids
of the Hunter, all of the mane bands in the Western Pleasure Horse, and yes,
even the funny shaped chestnuts on the Saddlebred are shown in great detail.
However, these model horses were designed with the horse collector in mind and
are not toys. Rough handling can damage these pieces so please treat them
as you would a ceramic item.
Our sculpting artists are horse
people. They know horses, they know artwork, and are similar in style as to
all blend with the whole line. This continuety distinguishes our BHR Collection
from the rest. Main Artists are Kitty Cantrell and Sue Sifton, both who have gone on after working for us to producing Breyer and Peter Stone model horses. Colors and finishes? As many as 9 different colors make up our
Costume Horse! Horses are airbrushed base coated in normally 4 different shades,
in order to give the depth of shine the real horses have. Final coating is a
clear finish to make it scratch resistant. All are laquer based and high gloss
(most people think they are ceramic when they see them!). However, if you wish
a matte finish, then applying a dulling product available at most hobby stores
can achieve that look. Check to make sure that the product label says it will
not harm laquer finished surfaces. Eyes are always hand-painted, and take five
different steps to do! Remember, each horse is handpainted, so they may be slightly
different from one to another.
Each comes in a styrofoam custom molded insert and gift box. Keep the insert
for traveling with your model as it insures a safe trip.
To place an order, call between
9am-4pm (Pacific Standard Time) weekdays, leave a message if we are not available and we'll return your call. This is a working horse ranch, and sometimes we are extremely busy (esp. during breeding and foaling season!)
If not available, please leave us your call back number.
(775) 267-2708 Pacific Time Zone
Our mailing address is:
1024 Nobles Court
Minden, NV 89423
If you have any questions, email Black Horse
Ranch Online anytime!