Well, it all started with that one horse....
Model horses and real-life horses have one big thing in common: You can never have too many! :) Of course it all starts with that one special horse, first or not,
that starts the journey of a lifetime. Even now he/she is sitting in your collection of precious pieces of plastic, completely battered, scuffed up and scratched(maybe missing an ear) yet there to stay forever. The Velveteen Rabbit of your collection.
I guess you could say Chip (Zips Chocolate Chip) is my Velveteen Rabbit. When I got him, making halters had never even crossed my mind; I just wanted to expand my collection. I fell in love with the Zippo Pine Bar mold, and before long Chip was sitting contentedly on my shelf, next to Chance, my first Traditional (who's also a Zippo). After emerging out of the world of Classics, I was quite pleased with my two Traditionals, especially Chip, who was in near perfect condition when I got him, which was exciting to find in an older model. I intended to keep it that way, but he had other plans...
NickerDoodles, my tack business, was founded shortly after I acquired Chip. I was wanting to outfit him and Chance with some halters and decided to give it a go and made a very pathetic looking rope halter. With much practice and tribulation, I got better, and Chip was always my model; he was easy to work with and even today, after acquiring several different molds, I've found him to be the best for Traditional face measurements. Hundreds of halters later, he still sits on my desk as a measuring guide and photo model, and he has the rubs to show for it. He has been my "workhorse" for two years, from rope halters to nylon, and most recently, leather. Chip is that one special horse that started me on my journey of making halters, and I absolutely love it! He has been and still is such a crucial part to my work that he is now my official mascot.
While Chip could never be "LSQ" he's worth far more than a show model to me. He has major ear tip rubs, fading color marks where countless halters have rubbed his cute face, and a few dings from falling over at the desk. At first I was disappointed when I saw these flaws, but then I realized just how much I had put him through, and I should be proud of what those marks meant. I enjoy making halters, and my business is thriving, thanks to Chip.
Taking good care of your models is important, but don't worry your life away over it, enjoy your horses! Take the "risk" for some outdoor photography, have fun! :) Because, in the end, you will find that the little flaws are memories that make your "Velveteen Rabbit" that much more special, and in Chip's case, show many hours of hard work well rewarded.
~ Haley
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