1:48 Animals Serie - Horse No.1

The horse as a full character in the scene

Even in the period of both world wars horse power handled a substantial share of transport, including where vehicles were already running. A horse therefore belongs in a scene from the European countryside as naturally as a cart or a farm building. This variant is the first of a pair within the animal series and can be used on its own or as half of that pair.

What to watch out for during the build

The animal is tall and narrow, so it needs a firm seating. Sink the legs into the terrain a little deeper than seems necessary and mask the joint with grass or mud. Lead the draft harness and the reins, if you add them, so that they run toward the drawbar or the driver's hand, otherwise the scene loses its logic. A taut strap looks livelier than one hanging loose.

Coat colors and surface finish

A bay comes out most easily: a warm brown base, a darker glaze into the muscle hollows and soft light transitions along the back and flanks. The mane and tail take a different tone, usually darker. Keep the hooves gray-black and add a dot of gloss to the eyes. The coat should be silky matte, not glossy over its whole area; too much shine turns a living animal into a porcelain ornament at once.

Where the animal finds a use

• At a farm cart or agricultural implements in 1:48 scale
• In a quiet scene by a pasture, a gate or a watering trough
• As a counterpoint to equipment that underlines the period of the scene
• Paired with the second stance variant of the same series
• As a strong element that gives the composition height