wasmi.net

Because this model horse was in an eBay auction over in England that didn't allow overseas bidders, I was very happy when my friend Laura kindly offered to bid for me. I really like Magpies a lot, and this one came with loads of accessories (a rider, tack, and even a jump.) He fits right in in my stable.
Since I bought my first Magpies several years ago, I have added a number of them to my little herd! The company over the years produced Hunter, Arab, Welsh, Shetland, Foal, and Donkey models. Currently, only the Hunter, Arab, Welsh and Foal moulds are used.
From what I understand, Magpies were first produced as Dream Ponies by a company called Swallow Horsetoys, who first advertised a product called a logbook in 1969. The model horses soon followed, and were designed by Jay Swallow.
Eventually, the company changed hands and became Magpie models. The company went out of business in the mid-late 1990's, as U.K. production costs caused a sharp rise in prices which caused a drop in sales.
The Magpie moulds were out of production for several years until Jan Adams bought the rights to produce them. When the company began manufacturing again in 2003, I started adding a few to my herd. Happily, they are still made in the U.K., which can account for what some consider the high costs of their products. (Magpies are made of a very thin, hollow plastic that resembles cheap toys from the orient.) However, they are hand-painted in the U.K. and obviously, the living expenses for their employees far exceed those of employees in third world nations.