Pewter micro mini model horses are very popular, one inch tall works of art.   Model horse horse collectors who enjoy collecting horse sculptures and toys, for pleasure or for 'showing' against others in competition, enjoy the intricate details in pewter micro minis.   Many of these horse statues are as detailed as their larger counterparts and have won sculpting or model horse show awards, such as NAN (North American Nationals, an acronym from the model horse collecting hobby) placings or wins.   The most popular sculptors of pewter micro minis are Maggie Bennett, Candace Liddy, and Mandy Hickman.   The EquinArt Creations Company (Ebay seller name jeanneg99) sells works for Maggie Bennett and Candace Liddy.

While some people enjoy pewter micro minis in the natural finish, if you enjoy showing your model horses in live or photo shows, you will want to paint your horse.  Painting micro mini model horses is much the same as painting a resin or plastic model horse.  You will need:

• A pewter micro mini model horse
• Needle file
• Sandpaper of various grades
• Dust mask for yourself
• Auto body primer
• Paints of your choice, such as acrylics or oil paints
• Clear craft sealant

Check the horse first to make sure the  legs are properly positioned.  While it's difficult to break a micro mini unless you use excessive force to bend the legs, they do sometimes bend slightly in casting or shipping, and you'll want to very gently straighten them so that your horse has perfect conformation before you prep and paint him. 

Make sure you wear your dust mask and work in a well ventilated area.  Use the needle file to remove major seams.  Smooth with the sandpaper, using a coarse sandpaper first, then gradually a finer sandpaper, until the horse is smooth.  Remember that any bumps or imperfections will show worse under the paint!  Rinse with water and make sure the horse is very dry.  Then spray with the auto body primer for a smooth surface.  Paint with your paints.  When dry, seal with a clear craft sealant.   And there you have your newly painted micro mini!

Pewter micro minis are NOT toys and micro minis should always be kept well out of reach of children.  These are works of art and should be kept on display.

Enjoy your new micro mini model horse!

Below are photos "before" painting - and after, painted by artist Maggie Bennett and by Jenn Danza (photos used with permission of the artists)