Arabian Mare (Farm Life by Schleich)

Before I start with the review, I would like to thank Happy Hen Toys for providing me with this review sample for the blog! Our friends there have an excellent selection of animal models for collectors and enthusiasts alike; feel free to go check out their website for products like this. Now, let us get right into it!

The Schleich Arabian Mare was released by the company in 2020 and is currently in production today. The model is #13908 and is part of the Horse Club series. The figure represents a “light” or “riding” type horse breed; however, this animal has a long and diverse history to explore.

This breed originates in the Arabian Peninsula and is one of the earliest breeds recognized in the world. There is archaeological evidence of their presence dating back to around 4,500 years ago! These animals have been prized for centuries and have spread across the globe due to their utility. They have been used to develop other breeds of horse due to their desirable characteristics such as speed, refined conformation, endurance, and spirited nature. They have been used in nearly all modern breeds of riding horses.

These animals carried high value by the Bedouin tribes from their native lands and were even allowed to sleep inside the family tent for safekeeping and protection. Having hailed from a desert climate full of harsh environmental habitat they are known to be a versatile and hardy breed with high intelligence, cooperation, and alertness. Historically they have been used for sporting events such as speed or endurance races, have been competent mounts for war-time, and have been developed for modern past-times like dressage or driving. This breed has been used in development of other horse lines such as the Thoroughbred, Orlov Trotter, Morgan, American Saddlebred, American Quarter Horse, Trakehner, Welsh Pony, Australian Stock Horse, Percheron, and Colorado Ranger as well as many others.

Their physical traits are in large part what makes them such attractive mounts. They have a refined look overall; a wedge-shaped head, large eyes and nostrils, and small muzzles. Modern horses present a dished face (a concave profile) exaggerated by a forehead bulge called the jibbah by the Bedouin which increases their sinus capacity (believed to be beneficial in their native dry climate). They have an arched neck, long thin legs, and well-developed hind quarters and shoulders for athleticism. One unique trait of the breed from others is that sometimes an animal will have only 5 lumbar vertebrae and 17 pairs of ribs compared the usual 6 and 18 found in most horse breeds. They also are known to have greater bone density than other breeds and despite their small stature are incredibly strong animals. This breed is accepted in a variety of colors such as gray (can appear white but is not a true “white” coat color), black, bay, and chestnut. There are some patterns that occur naturally in the breed such as rabicano (often misread as roan) and sabino. Regardless of color the skin underneath the coat is black (with the exception of underneath any white markings) and is a trait used to deal with the intensity of the desert sun. This breed does not naturally carry genes for pinto or leopard patterning, nor for dilution genes such as dun, cremello, buckskin, etc.

Now that we are somewhat familiar with the extensive and fascinating history of the real animal, let us take a look at the model. Overall, I would like to point out that this horse is a marked improvement over their last few Arabians. This breed, understandably, is well represented in toy form and thus there is stiff competition. This mare is depicted in a slow walk with her ears partly turned outward in a relaxed position. The muzzle is pointed down in a leisurely walk and her eyes almost seem partly closed in relaxation. This gives the mare an overall sweet seeming personality and tranquil form. Her mane is mostly braided although her forelock is left natural as is her tail. She has dark sooty socks that come up to just below the knee on the front and are more like a “pastern” or “coronet” on the hind feet. She has a darkened muzzle and dark hair inside her ears. Her mane is black while the tail is bicolor and begins dark but bleaches out to a pale yellow. Overall, this model seems to be nicely done. The conformation is acceptable though perhaps the topline doesn’t quite conform to proper Arabian standards. She has a dished profile and large eyes and nostrils characteristic of the breed but the forehead could be wider. And lastly her legs are a bit short for this athletic and active breed, but this has been a known issue for the last several years from the brand. And the given posture gives off the peaceful persona that is common of to this breed in well-bred lines. Overall, Schleich did a nice job for this figure. Many collectors would prefer the mane to remain natural instead of braided, but in this instance at least it is a more reserved style and less flamboyant than others. I was first attracted to this model because it is the first of its long line of history from Schleich that seems to have come back from the nightmarish last few offerings… Assuming that my count is accurate, this brand has released 24 models total (some are reused models, special editions, or items from various series/product lines). So the legacy from the brand itself, as well as the competition from other brands, does not lack from options. This one I think overall, can compete at least with its compatriots by the same brand.

Thank you again to Happy Hen Toys for this kind sample model and I hope you will keep them in mind with any of your toy purchasing needs!