Shadow Models
My collection 2021
I’d not heard of Shadow Models until early 2021 when the owner decided to relaunch them after a long break. Shadows were originally made back in the 70s and 80s but from what I’ve read vintage ones don’t come up for sale often. The owner Cyndy makes them from wireframe bodies covered in layers of wool. The manes and tails are made from super-soft hair taken from her own Alpacas.
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Shadow models have the same unique individual charm as Julips but with the added bonus of being almost 100% poseable - even the ears and tail can be moved around! Although I thought they were adorable when I first spotted them on the CTF Facebook group I stopped myself buying any for a very long time, reasoning to myself that I already had my Julips and some Magpies and I shouldn’t start collecting any new model brands as I couldn’t afford it...
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Annnyway my willpower held out for a while but then I saw Cyndy was also making adorable little shadow dogs as well so I had to place an order. I'm so glad I did as I am absolutely smittten with them!
Martha
Ready Made pony 2021
My first ever shadow model was a little Exmoor pony bought from the company Facebook page in September 2021 and she is a SO STINKIN CUTE! I love her to bits. I can’t even describe just how soft the black/ brown alpaca mane and tail are - you have to feel it to understand. (Unfortunately the one negative of this super soft fluffy hair is that it’s a magnet for the small shavings I use in my stable scenes!) The style of shadow models really suits native pony breeds, with the huge floof-ball hairdos!
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Eventually I hope to get a few more Exmoors, plus a yearling or a foal or two to create a scene of a little herd roaming the moors on er... Exmoor!
Dave
Ready Made model 2021
Two tone Dave came a little after Martha and is every bit as cute with his spiky cream and black Fjord mane - I think it gives him a cute 80's rockstar vibe!
The name comes from a friend I had many years back with a similar hair style/colour who was nicknamed two-tone Dave and it’s just kinda stick for this poor Fjord...
Mêl
Special Order 2021
Hot on the hooves of Dave was my first special order shadow model, a little chestnut Shetland. I’ve been plugging away on duo lingo recently to try and learn some Welsh and came across the word for honey ‘Mêl’. When this little lady arrived it seemed a perfect fit given her warm rich chestnut colouring!
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The mini size horses are super sweet and I love her floppy, blond ‘beach babe’ hairdo, and the fluffy legs (which you can have added to models for just a couple of pounds extra). The blond hair is less fine than the brown/ black hair but still has a lovely feel to it.
Owain
Ready Made model 2021
In the same parcel as Mel was a little bay floofball. His listing says he’s a Dartmoor hill pony and he’s all sorts of handsome. I think I’ll show him as a stallion and maybe make him a stallion bridle, as he has an impressive crested neck.
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Like Mel, Owain has had extra feathering added.
Bernie
Ready Made model 2021
This criminally cute little donkey appeared in a batch of several really lovely ‘ready made’ horses and ponies in November 2021. I couldn’t resist his sweet face. The flexibility of the full wiring in these models means you can have a lot of fun posing them with different expressions. Here he is looking sweet and innocent with his travel companion, Skye.
Martha
Special Order Highland Pony December 2021
I'd seen a dun Shadow Highland in another collector's herd and really liked the chunkier body shape. I knew I had to add one to my own little collection but was blown away by just how adorable she turned out. I asked for a grey dun and Cyndy did a beautiful job brining this cheeky little girl to life.
Foxglove
Special Order Bay Sabino Horse December 2021
This lovely horse is the first part of my 2021 Christmas present from my partner. I sent him a big long wishlist of shadows and he picked out a couple to order. I had only had ponies before this point, so was impressed by the size and presence of these larger Shadows. Height wise he's probably a similar size to a Julip Family Horse. I love this guy's crisp white socks and subtle sabinoey splashes.
Nightshade
Special Order Grey Fairytale Arab December 2021
If any horse mad person tells you that they don't secretly pine for a flashy Arabian horse with flowing long hair then that person is most likely lying. :DÂ Nightshade was the second part of my Christmas present and I'm so glad my partner picked her off my huge wishlist of options. I love the contrast of her dark mixed mane and tail with the soft grey body colour. She has a lovely fine head too. Perfection!
Snowbells and Snowdrift
Christmas Special Pony December 2021 and yearling
Cyndy promised us a Christmas special pony and when it finally arrived I could not resist adding one to my collection. It's SO fluffy! I really hope this new style of coat will be available to order in future. Each of the Christmas ponies came with its own set of decorative neck and tail bells and a name. This little lady is called 'Snowbells'. There was yet more temptation just before Christmas with a selection of 'mini' horses. I decided that he would make a good yearling with a little less hair so got to work trimming his mane and tail. Aren't they cute together?!
