Something For Horse Lovers of All Ages
Posted by Mikki on May 24 2008 at 10:09 am | Tagged as: Product Reviews
I’ve been meaning to write about something for weeks now and just haven’t found the time, or the words. We came across something that is just so cool, but to write about it we’d have to admit that…well…we still like to play with toys. There. I said it. So if you’re only partly grown up yourself, or if you know a horse-crazy little girl, or just someone who loves horses and maybe can’t have a real one - we have found the coolest thing: Paradise Horses.
A disclaimer here: we were given a selection of products to review. I tell you honestly, though, I would buy these myself, if only I had someone in my house (other than me) who would be interested in them. Alas, I only have a boy, and as our loyal readers know, the Kid is not that fond of horses, real or otherwise. Sigh. So, in the interests of our readers, I had to review them myself. The sacrifices I make for you all!
Such a sacrifice, too. I was so excited to get these toys. They are a line of horses (duh!) with all the accoutrements a horse would need. But these are not your usual cheap toys. In fact, they could more accurately be called models, though they are most definitely meant to be played with. The horses are heavy and solid, and horses and riders are fully posable. You can even open the horses’ mouths to put in a bit or a carrot. The accessories are just as detailed, too - the curry comb looks and feels exactly like my real one, and the dandy brush is a perfect replica of the full-sized one too. We just couldn’t get over how realistic all the little pieces are.
And all the things you can get to go with them! Barn, tack, feed sets, jumps - there are hours of horseplay possible with these sets. We got “Rhythmical,” a bay horse, complete with halter, lead rope, comb and carrot; “Grace,” a red-haired little girl dressed for English riding with jodhpurs, boots, jacket, helmet and crop; the grooming set (tote, curry comb, dandy brush, comb, towel, spray bottle, hoof pick, hoof oil can and sweat scraper); and the show set (blue “wool” blanket and “leather” boots). I had so much fun with these (as you can see by the photos)! It made me want to get a set of tack (Grace can stay on her horse bareback, but it would be so much better with a saddle), a barn (Rhythmical needs a place to sleep, after all!) and a set of jumps (we’re not into the English riding, but the horse needs something to do, right?). Maybe even a tack trunk, to put all the cool tack in. Oh, and a feed set - the carrot won’t hold him over for long. . .maybe it’s a good thing we don’t have a horse-crazy little girl in our house!
Oh, and I almost forgot - you can “register” your horse on their website, and print out a certificate of authenticity with your name and your horse’s name. That’s a nice little touch that kids are sure to love.
I highly recommend these toys. They are well made and oodles of fun. I had a great time with them, and can’t wait for my grandson to come visit so I’ll have an excuse to play with them some more!
For more information: www.paradise-horses.com
Ohhh! I wanna play, too!! Wish the horses weren’t $40.00 EACH, though! Yikes! My daughter would want one of each.
It would also be nice if they had a paint horse and a western rider. Then my daughter (and me) could horse play about our own horse and adventures.
I like that the horses and riders are fully poseable. It’s frustrating when kids wants to pretend their horses are real and can jump, run, bend down to eat, etc, but are just as stiff as wood.
And tell me…..doesn’t the rider ‘Olivia’ look like Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz?!
Having two horse crazy little girls in my house, we have tubs full of model horses all over the place. And they love them all - even the cheap dollar store ones! What looks so appealing in these pictures, however, are all the little extras; it looks like someone took our grooming kit and shrunk it down. So awesome!
Oh my goodness! All four of my girls would be all over these! I think I know what to add to the Christmas list this year. I wonder if they ship to Canada? Will have to check it out.
I see on the site they are posable. Are they ‘rubbery’?
All five of our kids collect the Shleich horses, but they are not so great for playing, they are fine, but these seem like a better fit for play!
They are just as awesome as they look! So cool! And Pietra, they aren’t rubbery at all. The riders are kind of Barbie-like with joints, and the horses - well, they’re sorta rubbery, because you can’t see the joints, so the “skin” needs to stretch. But they are very solid.
Those little grooming products do look just like real ones, shrunk down. I think that was my favorite part - one of my other hobbies is miniatures (I have a dollhouse) and I just love teeny-tiny stuff that looks like the real thing.
Olivia does look like Dorothy! She needs a blue gingham dress and ruby slippers to wear when she’s not riding.
I’m told they do indeed have Western riders and tack; not sure why they’re not on the site. When I found out more, I’ll let you know.
HeeHee, They look so fun! I love toys!
I just finished reading through your archives and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog! Thanks for writing it!
Yes, they need western ones, too! I would’ve been into this when I was young…I loved models (would pose them, take photos and “show” them) and My Little Ponies….aw heck, as a nearly 40-yr. old, I would still buy them!
Thanks for the comments and compliments!