Third Book Joins Hartland Stable
I divided all Hartland horses of the 2oth century into two groups by their mold shape: horses designed for riders ("rider-series" horses), and horses not designed for riders ("breed-series" horses). One book covers each group. The latest -- third -- book is on the models made since 2000, and it includes both types of horses.
The fact that Hartland made
two "thematic groups" of horses seems to leave some people still confused. It is important to know whether your horse was part of the "rider series" or the "breed series" because if you buy "the wrong book," you won't find the horse you are looking for. To make it very simple, answer the questions below:
Which Kind of Horse -- rider-series or breed series?
1. Does your Hartland horse have reins?
(On a real horse, a rein is the strap that goes from the horse's mouth [from the bridle bit] to the riders hand. Typically, there is one strap from each side of the mouth, so there are two reins, which are referred to as "the reins.")
On a Hartland horse, the reins can be a flexible plastic lace, a chain, or rigid plastic that is molded to the horse.)
If yes, it is a rider-series horse.
If no, go to the next question.
2.
Does your Hartland horse have bridle straps molded onto its head?
Those go up the side of the face, behind the ears, across the forehead, and under the jaw.
If yes, it is a rider-series horse.
If no, go to the next question.
3. Does your Hartland horse have a hole through its mouth?
(The hole was designed
for the reins -- flexible plastic or a chain -- to pass through.)
If yes, it is a rider-series horse.
If no, it is a breed-series horse.
Which of the Three Hartland Books is My Horse In?
Rider-Series Horses:
99% of them are in Hartland Horsemen
1% of them are in Hartland Horses: NMH Since 2000
Breed-Series Horses:
97% of them are in Hartland Horses and Dogs
3% of them are in Hartland Horses: NMH Since 2000
If there's more than one Hartland horse you want to look up, chances are that you'll need at least two of the books! The three books are described below.
Hartland Horsemen is on the 2oth century (1940s-1990s) rider sets and all horses of the mold shapes that were designed for riders. All horses in this book have reins, but if the reins are missing, they still have a rein hole through the mouth. Their breed type is generic. They were sometimes sold without the rider, but that is beside the point. This book includes some Paola Groeber models.
Hartland Horses and Dogs, on the other hand, is on the 2oth century (1950s-1990s) horses designed to represent specific breeds. They were never paired with a rider, and they have no reins or rein holes. The majority of Paola's models are in this book. The detailed history of the Hartland companies, found in this book, is of interest to all Hartland collectors.
Hartland Horses: New Model Horses Since 2000 is on the new models released since 2000. See the News page for details.
More on the difference between the two thematic types of Hartland horses is found in the essay below, "Hartland Horses are complicated." Following that and the "Three Excellent Books" essay, a table summarizes the scope of the two books on the 20th century horses.
If you love model horses, your shelf should have this book on it! 