Craft Ideas: Look for patterns for stuffed horses in thrift shops; look for ideas in horse catalogs and magazines; give new life to an old toy, take an old stuffed horse and make it into a puppet; draw a horse head for a wood or fabric hobby horse, use and old broom or a wooden dowel for the stick; use your horse feed bags (the inside liner) to make large pattens for sewing saddle pads or saddle bags or the like; use horse print fabric to make handy tote bags in just the sizes you need. Make several in different prints for all your shopping and toting needs; buy horse print fabric when it is on sale for that craft item you do not know you are even making yet; don't throw away the pattern and instructions to the needle point or other crafts so that you can reuse them or share them with a friend; recover tack, halters, headstalls, saddle blankets, bareback pads, and other tack for a fresh new look; buy glass paint and paint horses and horse heads on old plain cups and saucers; use "alligator clips" and strips of swede leather to make decorative mane clips for your equine; pony beads, bells, and other beads can be used to make equine rhythm necklaces for your horse or other equine (make them in several colors, including holiday colors); find a glue gun and feathers to decorate your cowboy hat for a new look for a new riding season; decorate your saddle bags with feather and or beads or other fun craft items for a fresh and fun look on the trail; add conchos to your bridle, perhaps a couple of pony beads; cover a cinch with fabric that slides of and on over the existing padding, make several covers in different prints including holiday prints, to really stand out from the crowd; make earrings out of those single horse charms you have, the earrings do not have to be identical; Make a necklace out of that favorite horse earring you lost the match to; hot glue a larger horse charm to a pin or broach setting; save that horse hair from that bridle path cut and shellac it into a picture frame to hold your horses photo, or use it in the scrap book you are making for your equine; learn to make items (ideas and instructions on line) out of longer pieces of horse hair; make horse toys out of empty laundry detergent bottles; take an inexpensive clock apart and add a horse photo over the face, put it back together and add a battery to make it work; make a horse print fabric book cover for your paperbacks;

FABRIC COVERED/DECORATED EQUINE HALTER

This was an old halter that was washed and then I am covering with a zebra print fabric. (I am still working on the halter and plan to cover all the blue with zebra print).

While this craft is very self explanatory, I should say it is harder then it looks. I sew and do crafts all the time, I thought this was an hour craft and done. I was wrong.

Go out the the barn/trailer/tack room and pick out and old halter in good repair. Wash it with a load of towels in your washing machine on warm or better yet, hot then hang it somewhere clean to air dry for 24 hours.

Cut your chosen fabric into strips about two inches longer then the section you will be working on. The fabric should be approx. 3" wide.

You will wrap the fabric around the webbing in the area you are working on, tuck the edge in so that it will not fray, and start sewing, by hand, in very small stitches. When I say wrap, I do not mean round and round. The halter should be wrapped so that all sides are straight and comfortable for the equine wearing them. Wrap the fabric long ways, not round and round.

As you sew, every few stitches, take the needle through the halter so that when the horse is wearing the halter the fabric does not slide down.

Continue until each section of the halter webbing is covered with the fabric.

For Holiday Fun you could cover the halter with multi fabrics and ribbons. Have fun and be creative.....your horse will love the attention it will get in this "one of a kind" craft you have created.

RHYTHM BEADS HORSE NECKLACES

The only thing I do not "buy" when reading about the rhythm beads and the benefits from them is the color stuff (they say that the color relaxes the horses) The horses can not see the colors, since they are wearing them.....so........... Since I like the look and love crafts, this is a little inexpensive and fun thing.

I am going to use parachute cord, but Wal-Mart sells that suede cord that could sure be used for this.

As well as pony beads I bought some smaller bells for the ones I will be making. I might add a few feathers (by either sewing them on or gluing them on with a hot glue gun.

There are many items to use for the breast or main piece. A key chain charm, a cluster of beads, a large bell, the list goes on and on.

For size, I will just measure the horses neck area and go from there.

Start with your breast piece and work up each side matching the items and beads from there. Loop your main piece, or breast piece into the cord so that it stays put while you are working with the other pieces.

My horses have color coded tack (each horse has a color they wear, I don't like for them to share tack). so their rhythm beads will be in "their" colors.

QUARTER HORSE CHARMS

This is an inexpensive way to have a unique horse charm.

Watch your quarters as you get change when you pay at stores. Look for a Quarter Horse.....a USA Quarter of a dollar coin with a horse on it. Or any coin you would like to use.

Drill a small hole in the quarter at the top, making sure that the horse is the right side up.

String on a beaded necklace by looping the string through the quarter, and working your beads up either side of the charm. Or add a wire loop and use as a charm.

TYING AND DECORATE ROPE HALTERS

There are rope halter instructions on the Internet with pictures and measurements and photos. So I will not need to duplicate that.

Rope halters are wonderful to keep in your pocket but do not ever leave one on a horse. They can be a sever halter and training tool. They are not likely to break if the horse would get it caught in something and might just bring a disaster!

Rope Halters are a great weight loss project and inexpensive to make. Use making a rope halter a fun thing to do rather then eating more snacks! Make them in pretty colors to make your horse stand out. Make them in Holiday colors and give them to your horsey friends for gifts.

Make your rope halter to match your saddle blanket or your own clothing. Make them with bright colors to find them easily.

Be the first one at your barn to sew fake flowers unto your halter for a fresh Spring/Summer look (or poinsettias at Christmas. Add bows, bells, twist in ribbons, you can even add beads to the side cheeks for fun and decor, but do not put the bead on the nose band.

Buy 1" rope to match and make a matching lead rope. Either add a clip to one end and a knot to the other, or put a loop in one end of the matching rope and loop through your halter for a clipless look.

Have fun with your horse crafts and be safe!

MAKING HORSE SIZED PATTERNS

Ever want to make a Horse Item, like a saddle pad, but don't know how to make the pattern?

Next time you empty a 50 pound bag of feed, save the bag. Cut the top and bottom off the bag. Now cut it open up the seam of the bag, where it is glued together. Now, throw away the layer that was next to the food. Keep and use the inside layers.

You can now lay a saddle pad, saddle bags, and other tack down on this huge piece of pattern paper and draw around it with a pencil. Do not use a pen or marker, you may ruin the tack you are drawing around.

After you have it drawn out, cut out the pattern and try it on a calm horse. Or even just lay it down on the item it was cut from. If it correct, take a permanent marker and write on the pattern what type of pattern it is...for instance, saddle bag pattern.

When you are finished using the pattern, fold it up and store it with your other crafts. You may just have other ideas pop into your head for the same pattern. Like another color for the item or one to decorate, one for a parade in Holiday colors, ext.

BRIDLE CHARMS

Photos coming soon!! Bridle charms can be made so many ways. I like the type that clip on and off the bridle with a jewelry snap. Conchos and beads are just the best western attire, ey?

No matter what type of charms you make to hang from you tack, it needs to be safe. Anything on the face should not hit eyes, or nose.

I HAVE USED THESE FOR YEARS AND YES! THEY DO WORK WELL. THEY ALSO SHADE YOUR HORSES EYES WITHOUT IMPEDING THEIR EYESIGHT.

If you own a sewing machine you will be able to make one of these Fly Masks for your favorite equine in about 45 minutes. You will need;

A Heavy Duty Needle in your Sewing Machine
All Purpose or Heavy Duty Thread
Approx 5.5 yards of Poly or Nylon 1" Webbing (cotton could also be used) in your favorite color or the color your horse normally wears in tack
a Lighter to burn the webbing edges
Tape Measure
Scissors

For the Average Sized Horse or Standard sized Donkey you will cut the top strap to 22" and fold it over equally (at each end) down to approx 17" from tip to tip. Sew the ends over and NAIL (back and forth at least three times) the seams so that the equines halter will fit through each end.

Always burn each end of the webbing after it is cut to size. DO NOT BURN COTTON WEBBING, IT WILL CATCH FIRE.

For the Average Sizes Fly Mask cut 14 - 12" webbing straps. Burn each end. Sew with a NAIL DOWN stitch, then box stitch (square around the end of the webbing. Then sew a big X on each two of the straps, nailing them down with each length. Have a look at the photo above of the yellow/gold Fly Mask to see just what I am trying to describe.

If you own a mini or a draft or another size equine, measure the forehead of your animal from side to side of the halter where the Fly Mast will sit. Adjust the amount of webbing you will use accordingly.

It is pretty self explanatory how they fit on the equine's halter, but have a look at Indian's side view if you have any doubts.

These Fly Mask will last year after year after year. The one Abby, our donkey is wearing is at least 5 years old. You can see that I replaced on of the hanging straps with a blue since I no longer have any of the printed webbing it was originally made from.

I wash ours in the washing machine with towels and hang them to dry.

Some of us really enjoy working with and making items for Breyer Horses but we are on a budget. There is much you can do that will cost little to nothing. You can have a good time, and have a nice looking item when you are finished.

Below are some ideas and patterns (coming soon) that I have created using my own ideas and patterns I have made myself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Very soon I hope to have an English Saddle pattern and instructions for making it. I have Bridle Ideas with jump rings for the bit, halters, saddle pads, horse coats and fly sheets, jumps, barrels, poles and more. I am currently working on patterns and items and will share them as they are developed.

These items may not be as detailed or "authentic" looking as the some crafters are creating that work with tiny items to make a very detailed item. But these items are fun and can be a cute addition to your collection as well as wonderful "play things".

For your craft supplies think outside the box. An old leather purse or even a belt can make a nice saddle or other tack for the model horses. A used but broken leather boot lace would make an often used looking harness for a plow horse. Check at Garage Sales and Thrift Stores for suede and leather purses, jackets and or other items. An older beaded necklace found for less then .25 at a garage sale or in your own jewelry box can be restrung to make an Indian necklace or Rhythm Beads for your model horse. Using these items that were once something else is called "re-purposing" or "upcycling".

We will be offering these items for sale in our on line store. The price will reflect the time and that you are buying my idea and design.

Owning, enjoying and collecting Breyer Horses does not have to cost a fortune. I took a knock off doll (not a Breyer Brand, but just like them) that I bought for $1 in a clearance bin and redressed her in suede for nothing....it might cost you a couple of dollars. I happen to have suede around for crafts. I also bead so I had them here too. The feather is from on of our own birds, we have chickens, ducks, geese and guineas.

Items you will need for this quick and easy craft are:
on small doll, Breyer's or Breyer's rider size
suede leather, approx. 12" - 15" x 4"
10" of embroidery thread or small rubber bands (for the hair)
a small feather
a small amount of seed beads
fishing line to string the necklace seed beads
on E size bead (if desired)

More photos are coming. Instructions will be added with soon coming photos.

The first time I did was to take her clothes off and take her hair out of the pony tail she was wearing. I spread her hair so that there was not bald spot, taking pieces back and forth. I braided her hair and tied each side off in a knot with about 5" of embroidery thread. I used a longer piece then I needed so that I could hold the end of the braided hair as well as the two ends of the embroidery thread to tie it with.

I cute the size for the dress out of the suede by laying her down on the piece and deciding how long I wanted the dress. Long enough to look like a dress, short enough that she will be able to sit on a horse as though riding. I cut a very small hole for her neck and cut a line down the front so that her head would fit through. I then cut a piece of the same suede about " long to tie the dress front in a knot. Before putting it on the doll, I cut fringe on the bottom about 1/2" long, very close or thin, on both the front and back. To put the dress on the doll, tuck the front into the sides next to the doll and pull the back side forward.

I also cut a thin piece of the same suede for her hairband. I stuck a small bird feather in it on the side.

Her turquoise seed bead necklace is strung on fishing line, you could also use thread. It is one string with the thread through the last bead on the short stand then adding beads to make the longer part. Half way I added on true blue colored E bead. The necklace is simply tied off in the back.

I do sell the Indian/Native American outfits/costumes in our on line store. Price reflects the time involved in designing and creating this item.

I made this pattern for my own Traditional sized Breyer Horses. I should be purchasing Stable Mates sized horses soon and will know the size to advise you copy this pattern out to. This pattern is approx 8 1/2" x 4 1/8" for the Traditional size. Use your computer and or printer/copy machine to get the size you need.

I am using some fabric I bought for $1 per yard that is a white mesh, but any color would do. You can even use the off fall from a bridle veil if you know someone making one for their wedding.

The cut out for the neck becomes the Fly Mask. Each of these pieces are trimmed with double fold bias tape in the color you chose.

I do sell the Fly Sheets and Masks as a set in our on line store. Price reflects the time involved in designing and creating this item.

(more to come as this project progresses)

(coming soon for most sized models)

(coming soon for most sizes of the model horses)

(give us a bit of time to work on this pattern and craft)

I used a clean used powder puff for this. I think it gives the pad "character". It is simply cut to pattern.

(pattern coming very soon!)

These can be made in so many ways. It takes the smallest amount of fabric so think of the samples that some fabric stores give away. They can be backed with a powder puff for that realistic look.

(several patterns coming soon that can be made to any size for the different sizes of model horses)

I used a clean used powder puff for this. I think it gives the pad "character". It is simply cut to pattern.

(pattern coming very soon!)

These can be made in so many ways. It takes the smallest amount of fabric so think of the samples that some fabric stores give away. They can be backed with a powder puff for that realistic look.

(several patterns coming soon that can be made to any size for the different sizes of model horses)

I have seen beautiful little bitty show saddle pads made by cross stitching a pattern in to a high number or addle cloth. If you can cross stitch you can easily find patterns or make your own western print pattern. It will take a bit of time to make, but worth the effort if you are going to show your Breyer's Horses. Again, keeps you hands and mind busy and off food!

You will need a couple of small jewelry tools, they are good to have for this sort of crafting for other projects too. You will need a small, very small pair of pliers and a set that looks the same with rounded jaws for forming your wire rings. This set of rounded jawed pliers, because of the way that the jaws are made, can be used for several sizes of rings. You can use a small roll of jewelry wire and or for rings you want a bit thicker, use the "pins" that are used to string beads for earrings. OR! You can by split rings called jump rings for your saddle/bridle making.

These can be made for any size, and in any color. It only takes a bit of fabric, a short piece of leather lace and a larger jump ring or you can craft a ring for the cinch. You will need a needle that can go through the padding and the leather for a realistic look for the stitching.

I used the pattern you see here and made it to fit my Traditional size horse. I took Green Polar Fleece and put my pattern on the piece. I did not use the pattern folded over, but laid out because of the size of the item and thickness of the polar fleece. I pinned the pattern so that it would not slide as I cut the fabric.

As you can see from the photo that I ran a stitch around the pad to try to make it look more like the type that is used on live horses. I had to change needles in my sewing machine first. I am a harness maker by trade and had a heavy weight needle in my sewing machine. This type of sewing, for the little bitty tack, takes a thin, light weight needle.

I added and stitched down the strip of suede leather for the cinch strap as well as a very short piece of thin ribbon for the hand grip. At then end of the leather strip I added the little ring I formed out of wire for the cinch strap to go through and tie.

Obviously you can make these in a variety of colors, prints and even types of fabric. If you use a fuzzy fabric be careful not to cinch your strap too tight as it will pull then end of the fuzzy, fake fur, up in the back. You can also use this pattern, cued for sizing for any model horse you might own.

-- The Does My Butt Look Big In The Saddle Team