ATTEL

empty I'm sure you're all familiar with the infamous Barbie dolls...well, the Mattel company decided it was about time to get this fun-loving lady and her friends some horses to ride on, so they created a line of trusty steeds for the Barbie gang. In the late '60's, a very rare, jointed horse was produced. 1971, "Dancer" was produced, a bay horse standing about 11" tall which came with a Spanish saddle and bridle. This model was then released in 1972 in England and Canada. Some years later, a horse was released called "Dazzle," and there have been a number of others too. There are many that were only sold in Europe, and are very collectable in the United States. All of Mattel's horses have Barbie-like hair which can be curled and brushed...it's easy to see why the younger set love these models so much!

Matell also produced the "She-Ra, Princess of Power" toy line from 1985-1987. Thanks to Eliza Frye of PinkPlastic.net and Emma Bramwell for providing photos.

Above: Shown are three "Dallas" mares which were ridden by Barbie, a "Midnight," a stallion ridden by Ken and "Dixie," the foal of Dallas and Midnight.

empty Dancer
11.75" tall; made in the early '70's. The stand has a lever you can move to make the horse "canter;" the white socks were added later. This model came with a base to make it look like it was moving. Photo provided by Traci Hilbert

empty Dancer
Photo provided by Debbie Shy

empty Dancer
Dancer 1970 a bay horse (not sure if Dancer is meant to be a mare or a stallion) on a rocker stand. Dancer used to have a dark brown (or was it black?) western saddle and bridle set, same design as that shown on the Dallas and Midnight horses. Part of the set of horses created for Barbie. Photo and information provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Dancer
Copyright circle 1970 Mattel Inc USA inside of both rear legs. Shown as "Sham" AKA Red Devil; owned by Janice Williford. He has all of his original gear, minus the left stirrup cover. This guy I bought brand new in 1970-71. He did NOT come on a stand, and does not have the belly hole. He is a cool model in that he has horseshoes and frogs carved on the bottom of his feet! He also has 3 bumps on all of his left side leg parts/joints and 4 bumps on the right side leg parts/joints I assume to help the assembly line put them on the correct side! Unlike the Marx jointed horses, these guys tended to have stiff joints so they stand in all different poses nicely, and will maintain the pose.

empty Dancer
Copyright 1970 Mattel Inc USA inside both rear legs. Shown as Dakota; owned by Janice Williford. I picked him up at a garage sale in the mid 1980’s. He had his saddle intact. He also has the bumps on his legs for assembly, and the detailed hooves. He has the hole in his belly, so I guess he had a stand at some point in his life, but it is long gone. The picture of his belly shows the detail of his hooves a little.

empty Dallas
Shown as "Bourbon Illusion," National Show Horse mare owned by Traci Durrell-Khalife

empty Dallas and Dixie
Dallas (1980) is Barbie's palomino mare, and Dixie (1983) is Dallas' palomino foal. Dallas has a brown western saddle and bridle set, beige brushes and a silver ribbon. Dixie has a pink rug and white halter and lead set, and a pink ribbon. Another version of Dallas (perhaps an international release) was created around this time, which has jointed legs. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell

empty Dixie from Styling Stable and Foal
Mattel Dixie from Styling Stable and Foal set; released 2002; the mouth is capable of moving and both the mane and tail are long compared to Mattel Dixie. Image provided by Carol.

empty Honey
Honey (1982) is Barbie's friend Skipper's dark chestnut pony mare. Honey was created so that Barbie's friend Skipper could go riding with Barbie and Ken. Honey is a dark chestnut pony mare, and has a fleece bareback pad and basic bridle set, red brushes and a red ribbon. Photo and information provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Midnight
Midnight (1981) is Barbie's friend Ken's black stallion, also the father of Dixie the palomino foal. Midnight was created so that Barbie's friend Ken could also go riding. Midnight has a silver western saddle and bridle set, blue brushes and a silver ribbon. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Nibbles
Nibbles is Barbie's cream coloured mare with an extraordinarily long mane and tail, and a movable head and neck. Nibbles has a magnet in her nose for picking up her magnetic oat bucket. Nibbles has a blue saddle and bridle, however the accessories shown on this horse are incomplete as Nibbles would also have a picnic rug and picnic set. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Prancer
Prancer (1983) is Barbie's white Arabian mare (advertised as Barbie's 'dream horse'). Prancer has a pink side saddle and flower garland bridle set, pink brushes and a pink ribbon, and a set of stickers. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Sun Runner
Sun Runner (1990) is a dun appaloosa coloured mare (from the same mold as Prancer), from the Western Fun playset which also contained Western Fun Barbie. The accessories shown on this horse are incomplete, as in addition to the blue bridle and western saddle (missing some of the attachments) set, Sun Runner would have had maroon leggings, plaits and ribbons in her mane, and a maroon and blue saddle blanket. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Western Star
Western Star (1983) is a dun coloured mare (from the same mold as Prancer) with a glittery mane and tail, from the 'Western Stamping' playset which also contained Star Stamping Barbie. The accessories shown on this horse are incomplete, as in addition to the blue bridle, tassled saddle blanket and three barrettes in her mane, Western Star would have had a blue western saddle of the same design as that shown on Dallas and Midnight, along with leggings, horseshoes, another barrette for her tail, and blue brushes. The Western Stamping playset also came in red as a special release 'Tara Lynn' Barbie. There is also another version named Star Stampin' horse from the Show Parade playset which also contained Show Parade Barbie, with similar blue accessories, except the barrettes in the mane were star shaped and the pink saddle blanket has no tassles. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Amethyst
Sparkle Beauties (1999) are Barbie's mares (from the same mold as Prancer) which have sparkly accessories. Shown here are two of the four horses 'Blue Diamond' and 'Amethyst'. Sparkle Beauties come in chestnut, grey, white and dark brown, and each has a theme colour. The horses have saddle and bridle sets, brushes and matching clips for their manes and tails. A similar set of four horses under the banner of Brushable Beauties was also created around this time. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Blue Diamond
Sparkle Beauties (1999) are Barbie's mares (from the same mold as Prancer) which have sparkly accessories. Shown here are two of the four horses 'Blue Diamond' and 'Amethyst'. Sparkle Beauties come in chestnut, grey, white and dark brown, and each has a theme colour. The horses have saddle and bridle sets, brushes and matching clips for their manes and tails. A similar set of four horses under the banner of Brushable Beauties was also created around this time. Information and photo provided by Emma Bramwell.

empty Walking grey horse
Unknown Barbie horse. Image by Nathalie Wermeille.

empty White Barbie Horse
Name unknown. Photo provided by Alicia.

Ski Fun Blizzard- Barbie Dream Horse. dapple grey with white mane and tail, pink tack and sparkly fluorescent accessories

Star Stepper- Barbie Dream Horse. brown with blonde mane and tail, beige tack and pink/denim accessories

Rosebud
Barbie Dream Horse. white with white mane and tail, pink tack and pastel accessories. Image of box provided by Nicki Richter.

Blinking Beauty, Barbie Dream Horse. 1988,- white with brown accents, white mane and tail, brown tack; blinks when you brush her mane.

Ginger- Barbie Dream Horse. brown and white pinto, brown mane and tail, purple tack and feather accessories

Glory- Barbie Dream Horse. dapple grey, white mane and tail, beige tack, ribbon accessories

empty Tenko Pearl Rider
Image provided by Alicia.

empty Gypsy Magic Horse
Gypsy Magic Horse from Disney Hunchback movie White horse with white & gold mane and tail. Has halter, large brush, 6 horse shoes and blanket costume that changes from gypsy horse to a proud steed. Images provided by lynna.
empty

empty Arrow
She-Ra collection; bow doll's noble "flying" horse. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Storm
She-Ra collection; Catra's flying horse. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Silver Storm
She-Ra collection; shimmering silvery saddle armor. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Swift Wind
She-Ra collection; She-Ra's magical flying unicorn. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Royal Swift Wind
She-Ra collection. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Crystal Swift Wind
She-Ra collection; flies She-Ra to adventure. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Crystal Moon Beam
She-Ra collection; protects the Crystal Castle at night. Photo provided by Eliza Frye

empty Crystal Sun Dancer
She-Ra collection; daytime protector of the Crystal Castle. Photo provided by Eliza Frye