This record is created to display the types of saddles worn by the Western Pony.
High grommet saddles are assumed to be the first version of saddle released on the Western Pony. They were estimated to have been around from 1954-1959 (possibly even 1953). Typically, the black saddles were released with the black, black pinto and alabaster models; whereas, the brown (varying shades) were released on the brown pinto and palomino models.
Around 1954, when the Cowboy rider was released, it was realized the Cowboy did not fit well on the high grommet saddle, so a new saddle was created. This saddle did not have any grommets or a cinch, but allowed for the Cowboy to sit more comfortably as the seat was made a bit larger. These are estimated to have been around until 1957/1958. The catalogs still show photos of the Western Pony rider-less models with the high grommet snap cinch saddles during this same time.
In the 1958-1959 catalog, the Alabaster Western Pony was released with Lucky Ranger on an unknown saddle, but thought to be a cinch-less saddle. During this same time, the rider-less Prancing Pony (Fury) was pictured with a low grommet saddle. It is possible that the Cowboy and/or Lucky Ranger were released with a low grommet saddle, but it's just not easily verified with known Breyer literature.
In the 1960 catalog, the Western Pony is pictured with a low grommet snap cinch saddle. This lasted until 1967.
From 1956-1959, the Cavalry style saddle was released with the Kit Carson models. This is a brown plastic saddle with molded on saddle blanket and bedroll with a pull-through cinch.
In 1968, the newer hard plastic, no cinch (slip on) saddle was released. This remains the current Western Pony saddle.
There are no mold marks on any of these saddles. The Western Pony and Prancing Pony (Fury) shared the same snap/no cinch saddles.
From 1953-1957, The Western Pony and Prancing Pony (Fury) share the same fabric bareback blanket with elastic band cinch with the Indian rider. Blankets were typically red, but came in several patterns (as shown in photo). These bareback blankets came with the black and brown pintos as well as the black Western Pony.
From 1954-1973, the Western Pony was released with vinyl grooming kit saddles. These were available through Sears and Montgomery Ward. Click below on 'Grooming Kits' under Tack/Dolls.