How to Store Model Horses

All of your friends and family have predicted that it was going to happen and it finally has-you have too many model horses to display all of them at once. Some have to go into storage. Or, perhaps you need to move into smaller living quarters for a while and have to box up your prized model horse collection before you can move back into a bigger home. For whatever reason, you need to store your Breyers, Peter Stones, resins or other models as carefully as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your model horses
• Cool, dry, dark storage area
• Large plastic storage tubs with lids
• Large, thick cardboard boxes (if needed)
• Black permanent ink marker
• Lots of newspaper
• Lots of bubble wrap
• Lots of foam packing peanuts
• Any paperwork on the models (if needed)
• Original boxes the models came in (optional)
• Measuring tape (optional)

1. Find where you are going to store your model horse collection. Ideally, this can be a cool, dark, dry basement-like area or a hired professional storage space. If you can, inspect the space first and measure it with your tape. It makes it easier to pack the models once you can picture how big the storage space is.

2. Gather all your totes, bubble wrap, foam peanuts cardboard boxes, newspaper and any original model boxes and take them to your model horse collection, instead of the other way around. This saves your feet and lowers the chances of the models getting damaged.

3. Place all models that you can inside of their original boxes, if you still have them. Make sure that they do not slide around inside of the box. If they do, they will need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and then placed in the box, with scrunched up newspaper keeping the model in place.

4. Wrap all loose models as if you were taking them to a live show or a sale. Place them in a generopus amount of bubble wrap and then wrap that in newspaper. Place wrapped model hooves down on the bottom of the tote or box so it is standing like a real horse in a trailer. Make a single layer of models. If there is room left over, place in scrunched up balls of newspaper to keep them in place.

5. Put in any paperwork, catalogues, show photos or your written notes about the models inside the tote or box.

6. Label boxes and totes on all sides clearly FRAGILE with your black permanent ink marker.

7. Transport to storage area. Try to avoid stacking any cardboard boxes on top of each other, although thick totes can be stacked. If you have a mix of totes and cardboard boxes, first place the totes on the ground (in case the floor gets wet) and place the cardboard boxes on top of them.

8. Cross your fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Store your model horse collection yourself, to be sure that they are treated properly. Most people do not realize how fragile and valuable they are and will throw them on top of each other in plastic bags.
• This can be an exhausting chore both emotionally and physically (depending on the size of your model horse collection). Try to do a little at a time instead of all at once.
• Let your closest friends and loved ones know where you stored the models in case something happens to you.
• Don't choose an attic or crawlspace for a model horse storage area if you can avoid it. The heat will warp the models.
• Don't leave them in the trunk of your car or truck for the same reasons and they are more likely to get stolen.
• Don't store models on top of each other.

Resources

• How to Safely Transport Your Model Horses