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Glossary of Model Horse Terms

Bloaty/Bloated

Conga

COA - Certificate of Authenticity

Oozing

These abbreviations and terms are frequently used within the model horse collecting hobby. If you have a term you'd like to add, or would like to see a more detailed explanation, please contact me.

  • Artist Series - Showcased the work of four American artists. All six models are portraits of famous real horses. The series is smaller than the usual traditional model at 1:10 scale.
  • ASB - American Saddlebred
  • ASHF - Action Stock Horse Foal
  • BF - BreyerFest
  • Bloaty - Bloated. A model that has expanded like a balloon, becoming rounder and losing definition. Likely due to too much exposure to heat.
  • BMHR - Breyer Model Horse Registry. Now closed. See Clubs.
  • Body - A model that has been badly scratched or broken and is considered good only for repainting or customizing.
  • BreyerFest - Annual live show and model horse celebration sponsored by Breyer. One of a kind and special run models are made available to attendees of this large, fun event. See Special Events page for details.
  • Brick and Mortar - Breyer retailers who have a physical location, i.e. a store. Breyer dealers who sell only over the Internet do not qualify. You can find a store here: http://www.breyerhorses.com/store_locator
  • CAF - Classic Arabian Foal
  • CAM - Classic Arabian Mare
  • CAS - Classic Arabian Stallion
  • CE - Commemorative Edition
  • Certificate of Authenticity - A piece of paper included with many Limited Edition and Connoisseur Models that confirms that the model is indeed a limited edition. Models complete with COA generally sell for more than a similar model without.
  • Chalky/Chalkie - Breyer model with a painted white base coat or made from an opaque white plastic that does not absorb paint well, leading to a similar look. Chalky models appear very white in unpainted areas and have paint that seems to sit on top of the plastic or base coat, rather than absorbed into it.
  • CM - customized model
  • COA - Certificate of Authenticity.
  • Commemorative Edition - A model issued for a single year in a limited number. Each model was serially numbered by hand.
  • Conga - A collection of models in the same mold. The term refers to how certain molds, when lined up one after another, look like they're dancing in a conga line.
  • Connoisseur Model - a Traditional model available only to subscribers of Breyer's Just About Horses magazine. Highly detailed and produced in a very limited run of 350 models, these models are considered highly collectible.
  • Copenhagen - Dappled blue. Glossy, with white manes and tails as well as white leg and face markings. See the Decorators Page for examples.
  • Cull - A model that became flawed/damaged on the production line and was disposed of. These unfinished models sometimes leave the factory with employees and then are found by collectors. Different from a Test or One of a Kind model and usually of little value save as a curiosity. See sample below.
  • Cust - Customized model
  • Customized - A model that has been repainted and possibly reshaped from the original manufacturer's condition. See the Customizing page for examples.
  • CWP - Cantering Welsh Pony
  • Decorator - Unrealistic colors including Gold Charm, Wedgewood, Copenhagen, Florentine and, more recently, Silver Filigree and Bronze. Made largely but not exclusively in the 1960s, these models are considered highly collectible.
  • Disc - Discontinued or retired. A model no longer being produced by Breyer. May still be available through retailers for some time.
  • ELCR - Equine Land Conservation Resource, which saves land for horses and horse-related activities. Breyer donates a portion of the sales of each ELCR model to this organization.
  • FAF - Family Arabian Foal
  • FAM - Family Arabian Mare
  • FAS - Family Arabian Stallion
  • Flagship Store: A store that buys a set minimum of product from Breyer. These stores are eligible to purchase the annual Flagship model.
  • Florentine - Dappled gold. Glossy with white manes and tails, along with white leg and facial markings. See the Decorators page for examples.
    G1 - The first generation (set of molds) in the Stablemates scale. They first appeared in the 1970s and were based on models from Hagen-Renaker. The molds are: Arabian Mare, Arabian Stallion, Citation, Draft Horse, Morgan Mare, Morgan Stallion, Native Dancer, Quarter Horse Mare, Quarter Horse Stallion, Saddlebred, Seabiscuit, Silky Sullivan, Swaps, Thoroughbred Lying Foal, Thoroughbred Mare, Thoroughbred Standing Foal.
  • G2 - The second generation/set of Stablemates, released in 1998 and 1999 and sculpted by Kathleen Moody and Sarah Rose. The molds are: American Saddlebred, Andalusian, Appaloosa, Arabian (Rearing), Cantering Foal, Clydesdale, Morgan (Prancing), Mule, Paso Fino, Scrambling Foal, Scratching Foal, Shetland Pony, Thoroughbred, Trotting Foal, Warmblood.
  • G3 - The third generation/set of Stablemates, released between 2005 and 2007 and sculpted by Jane Lunger. The molds are: Andalusian, Arabian, Cantering Stock Horse, Cantering Warmblood, Friesian, Highland Pony, Lying Foal, Mustang, Peruvian Paso, Standing Foal, Standing Stock Horse, Standing Thoroughbred, Tennessee Walking Horse, Warmblood Jumper.
  • Glossy - Model with high-gloss, shiny finish. The gloss is applied over the models base color.
  • Gold Charm - A solid, metallic gold with white manes and tails. Also have socks or stockings and some white facial markings. See the Decorators page for examples.
  • Goldie Oldie - Usually Breyer Decorator models; gold or blue in different patterns
  • H-R - Hagen-Renaker, American ceramic horse manufacturer
  • HSO - Horse Shaped Object: An object shaped like a horse in any medium, not just a Breyer model horse.
  • JAH - Just About Horses magazine
  • LB - Breyer's Little Bits; now known as Paddock Pals
  • LE - Limited Edition.
  • Lestoil - A cleaning agent used to remove non-original finish paint from models.
  • Limited Edition: A model released for a limited period of time, usually one year (or six months in the case of the Collector's Edition).
  • LP - Lady Phase
  • LSASE - Long or legal (#10) Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
  • LSQ - Live Show Quality; very few or no flaws. Will stand up to a close, in-person examination.
  • Medallion Series - special run models sold through Toys "R" Us.
  • MHSJ - Model Horse Showers Journal. Hobby magazine published by collector Linda Walter. No longer in production.
  • MIB - Mint in box. Model has no flaws that can be seen while it is still attached to its box.
  • Mint - Perfect in every way, without scuff marks, breaks, or manufacturer's flaws
  • M/T - Mane and tail
  • NAMHSA - North American Model Horse Showers Association. See Clubs.
  • NAN - North American Nationals, held annually by NAMHSA. See Live Shows.
  • NAN Qualified - A horse that has won 1st or 2nd in a NAMHSA live show, qualifying it to enter the next NAN.
  • NIB - New in box; just as it came from the manufacturer, not necessarily mint
  • NL - Northlight, a model horse company
  • NSH - National Show Horse
  • OF - Original Finish - just as it came from the manufacturer, without repainting or other modifications.
  • Old Mold - Sometimes Breyer makes a slight or significant change to an existing mold. Models made under the older mold are sometimes referred to as "old mold." One example of this is the Proud Arabian Mare.
  • OOAK - One Of A Kind - a model that is not from a run of similar models. Usually indicates a test or a single model produced for a specific event such as the BreyerFest live auction. Also sometimes used to refer to customized models when the artist has not made other models using the same mold and color pattern.
  • Oozing - when a model which has developed the "Vinegar Syndrome" develops wet spots on its surface or a leakage from air holes such as those in the nostrils. Bathing and air drying the model appears to slow the process. Temperature and moisture are found to be the two main factors in the rate of degradation.
  • PAF - Proud Arabian Foal
  • PAM - Proud Arabian Mare
  • PAS - Proud Arabian Stallion
  • POA - Pony of the Americas
  • Porcelain - Models made of a ceramic material that has been baked in a kiln; china. Not made of Breyer's typical plastic and very breakable.
  • PPD - Postage prepaid
  • PS - Peter Stone model
  • PSQ - Photo Show Quality; in good enough condition to do well in photo shows, which can hide minor or off-side flaws.
  • QH - Quarter Horse
  • Rep - Repainted over the original color
  • Resin - Model made from a casting material that solidifies into a form used by sculptors. May sometimes be purchased from the sculptor painted or unpainted, to be finished by the buyer as she/he chooses.
  • Retired - Same as Discontinued. A model no longer being produced by Breyer. May still be available through retailers for some time.
  • R/H - Repainted and haired. Largely outdated, replaced by Customized.
  • R/R - Repainted and remade. Largely outdated, replaced by Customized.
  • RR  - Regular Run, or models available through regular retail outlets. As opposed to Special Run (SR).
  • R/R/H - Repainted, remade, and haired. Largely outdated, replaced by Customized.
  • SAE - Self Addressed Envelope (no stamp)
  • SASE - Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
  • SB - Standardbred
  • SBW Saddlebred Weanling
  • SCO - Smart Chic Olena
  • S/D - sire/dam
  • SHF - Stock Horse Foal
  • SHM - Stock Horse Mare
  • Shrinking/Shrinky - When a model which has lost mass due to oozing begins to shrink unevenly and/or develop thin, warped legs. Warped legs may be repairable but it's unknown for how long this will last. Temperature and moisture are found to be the two main factors in the rate of degradation. A sample can be found here.
  • SHS - Stock Horse Stallion
  • SSHF - Standing Stock Horse Foal
  • SM - Stablemate
  • Special Event - An event sponsored by Breyer. May include live showing, workshops, and/or special run models.
  • Special Run - A Breyer model available only through the Breyer online store or select retail or online stores, usually in limited quantities.
  • SR - Special Run, a model in limited release
  • Sunshine Celebration - promotional event held by Breyer in April, 2011.
  • THHN - The Hobby Horse News magazine, now defunct
  • TB - Thoroughbred
  • Test - test run model made before production to determine exact color and markings. Very few are made.
  • Trad - Traditional; the largest popular Breyer model series at 1:9 scale.
  • Treasure Hunt - The purchase of a number of specified regular run models entitled the collector to submit the UPC codes to Breyer and receive a special model in return. The models varied each year and the hunt ran from 2006-2011. It's not known if it will return.
  • TSC - Tractor Supply Company, which sometimes sells special run models as well as other Breyer models.
  • T/U - touch up, small markings added or rubs/scratches retouched on an otherwise OF model
  • TWH - Tennessee Walking Horse
  • USET - United States Equestrian Team
  • Vinegar Syndrome - when a model from the 1970s to late 1980s develops a distinct vinegar-like odor. This is believed to occur because the plastic used during this period is beginning to break down. It is followed by an "Oozing" and a "Shrinking" phase. The majority of models from this time period do not develop this problem. Temperature and moisture are found to be the two main factors in the rate of degradation.
  • WCHE - see World Champion Horse Equipment
  • Warehouse Find - OF models sold by Breyer via their website or at BreyerFest, they are reissues of previous RR models with few or no variations.
  • Wedgewood - Cornflower blue, intended to resemble Wedgewood porcelain. White manes and tails, with white leg and face markings. See the Decorators page for examples.
  • Whiteware - unpainted leftover bodies from recent runs, offered by Breyer to collectors through Just About Horses, at BreyerFest, to dealers, and at other venues. These models have not been stripped of paint but rather never had it at all.
  • Woodie - woodgrain.
  • Woodgrain - Breyer model painted to look like wood.
  • World Champion Horse Equipment WCHE - former name of a company that sold a series of Midnight Sun special runs, now discontinued. Now known online as eHorseEquipment.com, where other Breyer models are sold.

Shrinking/Shrinky

Cull, probably of #811