About Magpie
Magpie are a range of British model horses. The horses are made from plastic shells with synthetic manes and tails. Magpies are approximately 1:12 scale.
Magpie was started in the 1970s as Dream Ponies. Original Dream Ponies were sold as kits with coloured plastic that owners could paint themselves. The original mane and tails were long and could be styled by their new owners. As well as horses there was a large selection of accessories and other animals to go with them.
In the late 1980s Dream Ponies was sold and rebranded as Magpie. Magpie introduced the Personality Collections as well as regular runs. The Personality Collection were more detailed models and were sold as regular yearly runs. There was also a regular run range as well as a large selection of accessories.
Magpie Model horses went through a period of changed ownership throughout the 90s and 00s including periods of non-production until it was eventually sold to the current owner Heather Forrest in 2014. In 2017 they re-opened their doors and started to produce kits and Personality models once more.
Magpie was started in the 1970s as Dream Ponies. Original Dream Ponies were sold as kits with coloured plastic that owners could paint themselves. The original mane and tails were long and could be styled by their new owners. As well as horses there was a large selection of accessories and other animals to go with them.
In the late 1980s Dream Ponies was sold and rebranded as Magpie. Magpie introduced the Personality Collections as well as regular runs. The Personality Collection were more detailed models and were sold as regular yearly runs. There was also a regular run range as well as a large selection of accessories.
Magpie Model horses went through a period of changed ownership throughout the 90s and 00s including periods of non-production until it was eventually sold to the current owner Heather Forrest in 2014. In 2017 they re-opened their doors and started to produce kits and Personality models once more.
A buckskin Hunter
The Ranges
There are three main types of Magpies/Dream Ponies:
Personality Collection
Regular Runs
Kits
Personality Collection
Personality collection models are detailed and good quality pieces produced in limited yearly runs. Models often feature multi-tonal manes and tails as well as detailed coat patterns.
Regular Runs
Regular Run models were produced over several years and were less detailed than the models produced for the personality collection.
Kits
Dream Ponies were originally sold as kits and these can still be purchased. Blank shells can be purchased by artists to be painted to their own choice of colour. Coloured plastic kits allowed new owners to create a horse with limited artistic talent!
Personality Collection
Regular Runs
Kits
Personality Collection
Personality collection models are detailed and good quality pieces produced in limited yearly runs. Models often feature multi-tonal manes and tails as well as detailed coat patterns.
Regular Runs
Regular Run models were produced over several years and were less detailed than the models produced for the personality collection.
Kits
Dream Ponies were originally sold as kits and these can still be purchased. Blank shells can be purchased by artists to be painted to their own choice of colour. Coloured plastic kits allowed new owners to create a horse with limited artistic talent!
A Magpie Shetland - note how the new owner chose to have a different coloured mane and tail!
Where to Buy
Magpies can be purchased direct here: www.ecwid.com/store/magpiemodelhorses/#
Magpies can also often be found on the second hand market, both as shells and completed pieces. It is also not uncommon to find ones painted by their new owners. Online sales sites such as eBay and Facebook groups are a good place to look as are private sellers at live shows.
Magpies can also often be found on the second hand market, both as shells and completed pieces. It is also not uncommon to find ones painted by their new owners. Online sales sites such as eBay and Facebook groups are a good place to look as are private sellers at live shows.
An unusual flocked Shetland