Hooves on the Table Please (Part 1)

There’s an old saying that goes “no hoof, no horse.” And I’m always reminding myself to check in on my model horses’ hooves. Especially those models whose hooves are supposed to be flat on the table. I feel that a show-quality model should stand well. All feet that should be in contact with the table should be on the table—not hovering above it, not touching on one side and not the other.

My boy’s feet on a flat surface. Right without shoe, left with a shoe.

Enter two things: one, a piece of sandpaper.

Two, a table-height view.

If the model has a problem hoof (or four), I hold the sandpaper flat to my desk and move the model’s hooves across it. Back and forth, side to side or in circles—it can depend on the horse. The trick is to go slowly and check your progress often.

This Rivet custom had a hovering right hind hoof. But I didn’t want to sand off the toe of the right fore. So...

I sanded only the hind feet, letting the forefoot scrape the desk only, not the sandpaper.

Much better. I hope this helps your models stand true!

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Custom Mini Model Horses

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