Stone Horses: An Interview with Elaine Stone by Gina McKnight

Elaine Stone of The Peter Stone Company: Stone Horses

Stone Horses: An Interview with Elaine Stone

by Gina McKnight

Archived from the March 2019 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete

No Duplication Without Permission

Attending Equine Affaire last year, I ran into the booth of Stone Horses. They create stunning likeness of horses. Hand-painted and life-like, each model horse has a unique flair that reflects the creator.

In 1951, Sam Stone began creating model horses. In 1966, Peter, Sam’s son, became the proprietor of Stone Horses, carrying on his father’s tradition of quality craftsmanship. Based in Shipshewana, Indiana, USA, the Peter Stone Company, aka Stone Horses, customizes and hand-paints every horse. Their Portrait Horse Program replicates your favorite horse. The Design-A-Horse Program lets you create and design your own horse. Elaine Stone tells us more about the process and creating the perfect model horse…

Welcome, Elaine!

GM: Your creations are beautiful! What are the steps in creating a Stone Horse?

ES: After research and thought about the breed and how the horse should stand, we commission an artist (we use some of the 'best' equine artists in the world) to sculpt a resin model, 1/9th scale, in a pose often selected by the hobbyists, sometimes the artist, and sometimes with the help of professionals that work with a particular breed.

After working with the artists to capture the body and mood, the finished resin is sent to the mold maker where an injection mold is made which produces two halves that must be bonded together.  Intricate fixtures must be made to cool, soak, and cement these parts.

Then, unless the model is modified and customized by one of Stone Horses' plastic surgeons, legs are straightened, masking material applied, then sent off to the paint room to have, often, many thin layers of color applied by our specially skilled and talented artisans!

GM: How do you select a breed and pose to become a Stone Horse?

ES: Molds of different breeds have been selected over the years for many different reasons. These days our model horse collectors are screaming for a draft horse foal, for instance. So, you bet that is one of the next molds to appear in our lineup!

GM: How do they transform into a mold? What are they made of?

ES: From the mold maker...to the molder! The raw horse figurines, molded of Cellulose Acetate (a wonderful high quality vegetable based plastic) come to the Stone Horses factory with raw edges along seams and other imperfections that must be first ground off and then triple washed by hand in an Acetone bath. 

GM: A delicate process, finally, the horse gets painted. What is the painting process...and how does someone become a Stone Horses artist?

ES: Special paint is used that adheres to Acetate.  The depth of color and realism is AMAZING! We also have lots of fun painting and decorating (some to look like precious stones--no pun intended--such as turquoise, opal, etc.), and fun creating fantasy horses too--Unicorns and Pegasus!

There are many steps in between, but one of the final steps I feel important to mention, after finish coat is applied is the 10--15 steps to painting the horse's eyes! This final step breathes life into the horse!

GM: How do you find creative artists and talented painters?

ES: Blessed to have amazing talent...some of which have come to us that way and others that have developed their skills over the years working at Stone Horses...we are always looking for new painters, as well as customizers.

GM: Where is your next big event and how can buyers connect with you?

ES: We have several events during the year…one coming up in Shipshewana during Mayfest...called Stone Horses Country Fair.  Our theme this year is Mad About Plaid! You can find out about this fun event and others by becoming our Facebook friend--the Peter Stone Company-- or by visiting our website--www.stonehorses.com.  All are welcome to visit Stone Horses, take a tour to see "HOW" the horses are made and visit our store right in Shipshewana.

Connect with Stone Horses at major equine events throughout the USA. Visit their website to create your own custom model horse.

Gina McKnight is a freelance writer from Ohio USA. www.gmcknight.com