Meeting Artists Along The Trail

Written by Rod Barker on July 1st, 2009

Many things distinguish The Trail of Painted Ponies from other collectible companies. But one of the things we are most proud of is the way what we do puts collectors and artists together. Click to continue »

The Little Horse That Could

Written by Rod Barker on June 1st, 2009

I can’t get enough of Mine that Bird, the longshot winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby whose improbable, impossible victory has led to him being called a “four-legged Rocky.” Click to continue »

A Website Meant To Be Explored

Written by Rod Barker on May 1st, 2009

As most everyone who visits our website on a regular basis knows, we publish a monthly update. On the first day of each month, we switch out the major images on our home page to visually communicate special happenings on The Trail. Like a monthly magazine, we Click to continue »

A Day in the Life of the Trailmaster

Written by Rod Barker on March 31st, 2009

The blogs I am aware of read like online diaries. They contain reflections on daily life, political opinions, and commentary on hot topics. The Talk of the Trail blog has been more like a twice-a-month dispatch on a subject that happens to interest me, and that Click to continue »

“War Pony” Circa 2001

Written by Rod Barker on March 3rd, 2009

On a regular basis we receive emails and letters from collectors who share stories of out-of-the-way places they came upon Painted Ponies. For instance, not long ago someone wrote they had discovered Painted Ponies in a gift shop in Dubai. Click to continue »

Hollywood Calling… Part Two

Written by Rod Barker on February 2nd, 2009

The idea of Painted Pony figurines getting their national cinematic moment in a feature film had a lot of initial appeal. I found myself thinking about other Hollywood Hoofers that had been part of show business… Trigger, Silver, Champion, Flicka, Fury, Buttermilk, and Mr. Ed. Click to continue »

Hollywood Calling

Written by Rod Barker on January 14th, 2009

There is a dramatic moment in the famous movie “Citizen Kane” when actor Orson Wells loses his temper and goes on a destructive rampage, destroying a world-class art collection. I was reminded of this scene Click to continue »

How One Little Pony Changed My Life

Written by Rod Barker on January 2nd, 2009

We’ve heard many stories about how Painted Ponies have added something special to people’s lives. You may have read some of these touching tales on the Guestbook page or My First Pony page. “How One Little Pony Changed My Life” came about as a result of a December Click to continue »

Back in the Saddle Again Part 3

Written by Rod Barker on November 22nd, 2008

Early one Saturday morning I decided it was time to go for a ride. I led Shyloh out of the corral, tied her to the hitching post, and, after brushing her from head to tail and picking her feet, I heaved a saddle on her back and fit a bitless bridle over her head. As the saying goes Click to continue »

Getting To Know Shyloh… Again Part 2

Written by Rod Barker on October 13th, 2008

Six years had passed since I last set eyes on Shyloh. I knew I would recognize her immediately because her pretty and refined head, her soft and welcoming eyes, and her distinctive markings – a white diamond on her forehead, snip just above her nose, and Click to continue »