Terry Martin

3530 N FM 1744

Hico, TX 76457

home-254-785-2047

cell-817-408-0721

slashv@htcomp.net

Realism in a model horse setup is of utmost importance to me.  The plain truth is that pretty girls in pastels and glitter are not the big winners in the real world cowhorse, cutting, and reining classes.   Much as I hate to admit it, the guys dominate these events, not the "Barbie dolls".  My doll making began when I bought a Ben Breyer doll, also known as the Kelly Reno doll off ebay.  These dolls were made in the 80's and I believe were the original Breyer dolls.  He is made differently than the present one, is 1/2" shorter, made from soft vinyl and has no visible joints.  He bends at the joints and waist and his head turns, but I was pleased that when I pose him, he stays put!  None of that getting all set up only to find the toes turning in!  The fact his torso is a bit shorter and arms are as long as the newer dolls, allows him to get his hands farther forward to correctly hold the reins on a cutter.  His feet fit the stirrups on my saddles with non adjustable stirrups better than the other guys, and if the stirrups are adjustable he requires about a notch shorter.  He also leans forward perfectly for riding a reiner and getting up over the horse like a real rider should.

 Not being a seamstress, on these dolls I paint the hair and eyes, get rid of the bright pink mouth, dye the shirts a variety of colors after removing the huge buttons and snaps, turn his backwards pants (poor guy!) around and basically make all this fit using fabric glue.  I add a belt and buckle, in some cases paint his black boots, give him a properly creased hat with a leather hatband, and make him a pair of custom chaps from the thinnest skiver.  Because he wants to be a roper too, the chaps are easily removable with a buckle in front and velcro down the sides of the legs.  Some of these guys are made to be ranch cowboys who more commonly wear batwing chaps and well stained hats. 

 I Top Tenned my first guy at NAN 07 and many of my customers have earned NAN cards and won Championships with their horses ridden by one of my "Horse Trainer Dolls".