| Originally, people bought model horses because they | | | | easier to find. As a result, the actual prices on the |
| were fun. What started as horse toys has now | | | | street are often lower than what might be listed in a |
| become a huge collector's hobby. The same thing | | | | book. If you are looking at collectible toys as an |
| happened with baseball cards, comic books and a lot | | | | investment, I recommend finding somewhere else to |
| of other toys. | | | | invest your money. Collectible items are not a good |
| Question #1: Why are you collecting? This must be the | | | | investment. Even if your horses hold their value, trying |
| first question answered because the answer to this | | | | to liquidate them into cash is not very easy and often |
| question will determine the answer to every other | | | | more trouble than it is worth. Plus the process of trying |
| question that follows. In my opinion, there is only one | | | | to sell your horses is full of pitfalls because it has a |
| right answer to this question. Collect horses because it | | | | way of zapping all the fun right out of the hobby. |
| is fun! Just because an item is worth a lot of money | | | | Question #3: Where do I get more information? There |
| doesn't mean it has to stop being fun. Money has a | | | | are different ways to learn more about model horses |
| way of getting things bent out of shape. When it | | | | and the hobby of collecting them. First, you can |
| comes to collecting anything, there will always be | | | | subscribe to hobby magazines like 'Just About Horses' |
| people who have their eyes so focused on the money | | | | from Breyer. Another magazine is 'Model Horse |
| that they have lost sight of the fun. Now that we have | | | | Showers Journal'. Second, you can join clubs to meet |
| answered this key question, we can move on to other | | | | other collectors. Clubs offer newsletters and shows |
| questions. | | | | you can attend. Club fees are usually very low |
| Question #2: Which horses should I collect? If you | | | | considering what you get. Some clubs are specific to a |
| answered the first question correctly then this one is | | | | horse breed while others are focused on a particular |
| easy. Collect the horses you like the most! You can | | | | region. Third, you can get loads more information just |
| collect your favorite breed or your favorite colors or | | | | by surfing the Internet. Just do a Google search for |
| anything else that you like. There are a variety of sizes | | | | model horses or horse toys. |
| from large horses in the 1:9 scale, such as the Breyer | | | | Question #4: Where do I buy model horses? There |
| Traditional line which are about 9 inches tall, to small | | | | are two markets, one for new horses and one for |
| horses in the 1:24 scale, such as Schleich horses which | | | | previously-owned horses. You can find new horses |
| are about 3.5 inches tall. If you enjoy having a rare | | | | available in most toy stores, but the biggest selection |
| model horse, you might have to pay more to get one | | | | and easiest place to shop is online. Many retailers |
| but there are discontinued and limited editions available. | | | | provide large images so you can clearly see what you |
| Breyer publishes an annual collector's guide book which | | | | are getting. For previously-owned horses, the best |
| lists the market values of many model horses. | | | | places to shop would be online, at hobby shows or by |
| However, just because these dollar values are printed | | | | subscribing to hobby newsletters where other |
| in a book does not mean you can sell your horses for | | | | hobbyists are allowed to list their horses for sale. |
| those prices. The so-called value is only real if you can | | | | There is a lot to learn about this hobby. The main point |
| find someone who is willing to pay that amount. With | | | | to remember is to enjoy your horses and enjoy the |
| the Internet, collectible hobbies have become buyer's | | | | ride! |
| markets because even rare items are now much | | | | |