| So you love model horses and those awesome | | | | some really cool collections assembled by experienced |
| Breyer horses have won your heart with their realism | | | | collectors. At a club, you'll learn where to find great |
| and beauty. If you want to begin a collection, here are | | | | model horses, how best to display your collection of |
| five ideas to help get you started. | | | | Breyer horses, and what events are absolutely |
| 1. Choose a theme for your collection of Breyer | | | | you-don't-want-to-miss-it opportunities. |
| horses. There are many options out there. Choose a | | | | 4. Subscribe to a model horses collector's magazine, or |
| breed or color, or even the year the models were | | | | better yet, the official newsletter published for Breyer |
| produced. Whatever it is, with this selection made, you | | | | horses. This is a great way to learn fun facts and stay |
| will be well on your way to a specialized and really | | | | up-to-date on the latest deals. You can also find |
| interesting collection, rather than a random assortment. | | | | collector's forums online. |
| Try to make sure it is not so narrow as to allow you | | | | 5. If you are seeking special deals or searching for |
| no room for expansion. Perhaps "draft horses" might | | | | rarer pieces, try to frequent small, little-known places, |
| be a better theme than "black Percheron stallions", | | | | as well as bigger stores. Go into shops that you |
| which is so highly specific that you may find yourself | | | | wouldn't expect to carry model horses. You'd be |
| with a complete collection with just one item. Don't | | | | amazed at what turns up at yard sales and second |
| forget about accessory items as well. These help you | | | | hand clothes stores. You can also search the internet |
| display your beautiful collection in realistic settings. | | | | for your special model horses. |
| 2. Let others know of your interests. Talk about why | | | | Once you've built up your collection of Breyer horses, |
| you've chosen to collect this special color, or unique | | | | it's time to show off. There are many ways to do this. |
| model year. Friends and family will enjoy hearing a few | | | | You could, of course turn your house into a series of |
| interesting facts (don't bore them with long-winded | | | | museum exhibits and charge admission at the front |
| details, though!), and with this knowledge, they will | | | | door of your home. But if you are not ready for such |
| probably keep your collecting theme goals in mind if | | | | a major step, there are still great opportunities out |
| they decide to purchase a special gift for you. This | | | | there. For instance, you can participate in photography |
| prevents well-meaning givers from bestowing a | | | | contests and compete with other collectors for the |
| beautiful Arabian when your collection is focused on | | | | most realistic pose (this is where all those cool |
| draft horses, for instance. | | | | accessory items really come in handy). Or you can |
| 3. Join a hobby club. This is a great place where you | | | | exhibit your collection at shows and advance through |
| can "talk shop" in detail for long periods and no one | | | | various levels of competition right up to the North |
| minds in the least. Other hobbyists will have some | | | | American Nationals. |
| great stories to share as well. You will get to see | | | | |