Model Horse Tack Making Overview! miniatures, Schleich

Hello everyone!

Today we will be diving into the world of model horse tack making, exploring different tack making methods, and hopefully get a better understanding of what it’s really like to make model horse tack!

Model horse tack making started along with the hobby in 1960. As more and more collectors and creatives started out, they made accessories and eventually tack for their models by referencing and scaling down real horse tack. With the evolution of model horse showing came more recognition towards the tack making side of the community as specialized performance classes, where miniature tack is created and shown on a model to simulate real horse competitions and events such as Cross Country, Driving, and Show Jumping, appeared. However the community has done so much more to expand and make model horse tack for their individual collections!

Leather Model Horse Tack

Leather model horse tack is the most detailed way of simulating equipment. It is in itself a fine art in the realm of miniatures that few people can master. It requires specialized tools, techniques, and a set of skills specific to this domain. Leather model tack makers follow in the footsteps of horse saddlers and tack makers copying and adjusting their techniques to a smaller scale. I have a great level of admiration for the dedicated leather tack makers out there and wish to one day own one of these amazing pieces!

Textiles

Textiles is a more open method, accessible to the wide majority of creators. People have experimented with textile tack in so many different ways because it is such a versatile material. Headcollars, lead ropes, saddle pads, blankets, and so much more can be achieved with textiles. I have even created saddles using various materials.

My Method

And then we have my method, the odd one out :D I use a mix of ropes, leather strands, elastic, acrylic paints, metal, and hardware to create realistic bridles and reins for my Schleich model horses. The bridles are only nice from the outside as I avoid painting the sides which come in contact with the model, yet they look great and for me it’s worth the struggle to make them. One bridle with reins takes about a full work day for me, they are so fiddly and there is still so much more to perfect with this design. Here is my take on a classic, all-round showing type bridle with snap reins.

I hope this inspired you to have a go at model horse tack making yourself or check out more about the hobby and the amazing artists out there!

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