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Where can I get materials to make Breyer Tack?

11K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  horseluver2435 
#1 ·
My mothers friends daughter loves horses. She has some mild mental disabilities, which makes her mom a bit uncomfortable to let her take regular riding lessons, but I don't think she would qualify for theraputic riding.
Anyway, she loves collecting Breyer horses. This christmas, she got a huge wooden barn and several more Breyers. I was talking to her about it, and she said she wanted to get some tack for her Breyers, but she couldn't find any.
I have quite the collection of Breyers myself, and I thought making some tack would be fun. Her mom has done so much for my brother and family, so I wanted to make some for her daughter as well.

Thats sums up the background story. So, I have a few questions for you guys.



Here is the list of "tack" I want to make, so could you tell me 1. What materials I would need to make the item, 2. Where I could find the materials, 3. How much of the materials would I need, and 4. could you give me some tips on how to make the tack (They don't need to be fancy "detail" tips, just the basics on how to make them.) This tack needs to be "play time" durable. I want about 4-5 of each item unless otherwise specified.
  1. Rope or Nylon Halters
  2. Lead Ropes
  3. Saddle Pads (Solid colors)
  4. Western Bridles (whatever kind is easiest to make, Hackamores maybe?)
  5. Reins
  6. Western Saddles (no leather detailing, maybe some jewels)
  7. Turnout Blankets (2)
  8. Show Halter (2)
Thanks for your help in advance!
 
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#2 ·
To find materials, I'd go for a local craft store- Michael's is the one I go to, not sure if you've got one around you.

1. Nylon halters- Grosgrain ribbon, which I get from my Walmart (my Michaels doesn't carry it), jump rings, (I wanna say mine are 4 mm but I'm not positive) which I get from my craft store, lobster claw hooks, local craft store, and hot glue.
Following your basic halter pattern, use the jump rings for the rings on the halter, and then the claw hook for the cheek piece. Have the model on hand, otherwise it's not going to fit well. If you need more help, PM me and I can give you a more detailed description, but it's pretty easy to figure out once you do it a few times.

2. Leadropes- I use the craft rope/thread (it's like thread, but thicker?) from my craft store, and lobster claw hooks. I braid the material and tie off a hook at the end.

3. Saddle pads- Felt, or other material, plus thread. I sew mine, because using hot glue will just make a mess and lead to several burned fingers. You can sew patterns if you're really ambitious, otherwise just sew round the edges of a square piece (again, use a model to measure so it fits).

4. Western bridles- I actually find that regular bridles are easiest. I use thin leather lace from my craft store (warning, it's a bit on the expensive side for not a lot of lace) If you go the leather way, make sure the lace is VERY thin. Otherwise you're going to have some problems. For this, I use two jump rings for the 'bit' and then I just make a basic bridle with no buckles (feel free to experiment if you'd like, but it'll just make it harder to get on & off) Make one long piece for the cheek pieces, a smaller piece for the browband, and don't make a noseband. Then take two long pieces, attach them to the 'bit' and tie off the ends for reins.

5. Reins- what do you mean?

6. Western saddles- Get a sheet of leather, whatever color you'd like, and experiment. I haven't tried making saddles, it seems really hard. You'll need to make a tree out of wire, or apoxie. Then build up around it. Use a lot of reference pictures. Good luck!

7. Turnout blankets- Get some material, and use lobster claw hooks as fasteners. It might not look pretty, but it'll be functional.

8. Show halters- I'm no help here, I'm mostly a nylon halter girl.

I've found, in my two years of making strictly halters, that the more you do it, the better the product is. Just keep trying.
7
 
#3 ·
^ Thanks! As for the reins, I didn't know if I would have to make them separate from the bridle or not. I figured the saddles are going to be the hardest, but I'll post pictures once I get some done. Thanks again!
 
#7 ·
^ That site has really nice kits, but way out of my price range, espically for the saddles.
 
#9 · (Edited)
~update~

I've gotten a few things made!!! I apologize for the picture quality (I desperately need a new camera)

I went to wal-mart and I found some braiding cord that is working perfectly for the halters and leads. I also bought some felt and made some saddle blankets and two sets of polos (one for traditional size and one for classic). Lastly, I have a bridle thats a WIP.

The halters are pretty durable, and have a slight stiffness to them. I made them to fit different horses, so our friends daughter can choose which horse gets what color halter. The saddle blankets are black, green, and red; and will be sewn probably tomorrow (since it looks like a snow day. Yes! :D) I was searching for rings for the bridle around the house when I found an unused 20 foot piece of velcro, and viola! Polo Wraps!

Here are the pictures! I think they look pretty good :D:

Halter Style 1 in Beige (I think I like this style the best)
Horse Head Ear Snout Neck


Halter style 2 in black
Nose Finger Ear Hand Snout


The awesome polo wraps
Human leg Leg Joint Finger Ankle


Saddle pad (I know this one looks a little weird, but I used a smaller model for reference)
Dog breed Canidae Fawn Bull terrier Non-Sporting Group


Last but not least, the half finished bridle (I'm going to be buying some rings for it this week)
Snout Hand Font Finger Horse
 
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