Model horses aren't just for kids.  In fact, most serious collectors are well past their teen years.    The models listed on eBay range from "bodies" - horses which have reached the end of their useful life as collectibles - to rare, one of a kind, and incredible customized models, in porcelain, plastic and resin.

"Bodies" are models waiting to be refurbished, either by a seasoned veteran aat customizing, or someone less advanced.  These should be relatively inexpensive to purchase, since they will need plenty of sanding, painting, and possibly re-connecting if their ears or limbs have been severed.  If you are a newcomer to the world of custom horses, this is a good place to get your feet wet, but you may want to avoid dismembered horses to start with.  While re-sculpting is fun and challenging, it can also be frustrating for the novice customizer.

There's a whole host of terms that come with the hobby.  "LSQ" means a model or tack item is live show quality; this equates to mint condition, a piece you can take with pride into a live show ring and expect to do well with.  "PSQ" means photos show quality;  yes, there are not only live model horse shows but also highly competitive photo shows, such as the year-long series hosted by the Model Equine Photo Showers' Association.  A photo show quality animal or item might have a small flaw, such as a rub, or may not be quite as well made as an LSQ piece.  It can also mean that the horse is in perfect condition, but just not flashy or elaborate enough to place well in a live show.

"NIB" stands for New In Box - a horse that has never been removed from its original packaging.  Occassionally this acronym is used to describe an animal that has been removed from its box but is still in new or mint condition, and comes with its original packaging.  The seller should specify which of these two definitions they mean when they use the term.

"CM" stands for custom; a model that has been altered in some way from its original finish;  "OF" stands for original finish, or a model that is exactly as it came from the factory.  A customized model may simply be one which has been touched up, repainted, or dramatically changed from its original form.  This is usually done with plastic epoxies which are designed for sculpting.

"AR" means artist's resin.  This is a sculpture created by an artist and cast in durable (but breakable) resin under their supervision.  Resins are generally made in limited numbers and are usually hand-painted, and more expensive than a plastic model.

The best thing to do if you have questions about something you see is to contact the seller.  They should be willing to tell you a lot about the horse or tack you are looking at;  how it was made, who made it, whether or not it has been shown in photo or live shows, what materials were used in making it, and so forth.  A good seller will be more than willing to answer your questions, and probably proud to do so.

As with all art, there is one general rule of thumb to purchasing model horses; buy what you love.  Art is subjective.  Art is personal. While there will always be some models whose rarity or notariety makes them more valuable than others, the horse that will bring you the most joy is the one that most appeals to you.  Let the work of the artist, or the model itself, be what speaks to you.  My favorite horses aren't necessarily the ones I paid the most money for, or the ones that are the most rare.  They are the ones that have expression, character and substance.  Follow your heart, ask questions, and prepare to salivate;  eBay has hundreds of beautiful horses waiting for the right collector to proudly take them home.