Grooming Kits: the First Breyer Special Run Models

Breyer’s Western Horse and Pony Grooming Kits could be considered the very first "special run" Breyer models: a model created exclusively for a specific event or retailer. These sets debuted in the mid-1950s and were a staple of multiple department store catalogs, especially the Sears Wishbook. Although the horses themselves were identical to the regular run #57 Palomino Western Horse and #43 Palomino Western Pony, their plastic saddles were swapped out for large, faux leather “saddle bags” filled with everything a young child needed for “tidy-up time the Western way!”

Most Grooming Kit sets included a toothbrush, comb, nail file, and set of nail clippers. There are a handful of exceptions – the 1958 Sears Wishbook advertised a Western Pony that held a ballpoint pen instead of nail clippers. This set featured a larger gingham “saddle blanket” to hold the items, rather than saddle bags. The 1958 Wishbook also advertised the elusive Proud Arabian Mare and Foal Grooming Kits – only a handful of these sets are in the hands of collectors today.

Western Horse and Pony Grooming Kits
Photo by Kirsten Wellman

Another variation of the Grooming Kit is the “My Lady Fair” version, which included unique black saddlebags that held plastic barettes and a white comb – a more feminine set aimed at the “Wild West queens” of the day. This set was advertised not only on white Western Ponies, but white Fury Prancer models as well.

Variations on the Grooming Kit endured through the 1960s, but as American popular culture began to stray from the cowboy and Western crazes of years past, it makes sense that the sets were quietly discontinued. Their popularity among Breyer fans continues to endure, however – a complete Grooming Kit set is a “grail” piece for many dedicated vintage collectors!

Western Pony with original detailed saddle bag