Looking for "Dummy" Horse Heads to Display headstalls, Halters, Etc.

[mbnaegle]

As the title says, I'm looking for a way to display several headstalls, halters, hackamores, etc. Ideally something that can hang on the wall or somehow arranged in front of a saddle stand display with a plackard nearby explaining the what and why. I've found several places that sell plastic or fiberglass busts of horses heads, but often at $300+ and that will add up quick doing multiples (anywhere from 5 to 20 depending on how far I go). I'm wondering if anyone else has done something similar?

I would actually prefer less detail so it doesn't detract from the displayed item, similar to mannequins in a department store, but It still needs to be life-size and have some form of mouth, ears, jowls, and everything else that would play into a headstall properly fitting a horse. I'm looking at 3D printing them myself, but the size makes that a challenge. Also considering a very very simplified wooden frame or lamination that again has the important area's but lacking detail. Almost like the heads used on steer roping dummies that have horns, but are not a fully modeled cows head.

The alternative of course is hanging them on a hook like you would in any tack-room, but being able to see how it fits and why pieces are where they are is the real intent. This is more for educational display than for storage.

[Hildebrand]

I would really look a the 3-d printing angle, I know you can print things in pieces and put them together, that would help with the size issue.

Todd

[fredk]

I don't think 3D printing would really work. You'd be paying as much as the commercial heads.  I would look for an amateur or hobbyist wood worker to make them from wood; kinda like rocking horses heads but scale bigger

[Deanr]

Check if you have any chainsaw artists in your area. With your low level of detail required it may work financially.

[AlZilla]

How about this? $50 on amazon.

[fredk]

That might be a bit small. Might do for a Shetland pony tho

[AlZilla]

54 minutes ago, fredk said:

That might be a bit small. Might do for a Shetland pony tho

Ha! I didn't notice the size. 

I started out looking for a taxidermy form called a "Shoulder Mount". That would be life sized.  Seems like the forms run to under a hundred bucks. Maybe a taxidermy shop could source one?

[MikeG]

Maybe check this site - she sells patterns, but might be able to help you connect to someone who could make them for you.

https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/patterns

[fredk]

a silly thot; ask dieselpunk.ro. (Tony See) I bet he'd come up with a pattern to make a leather one!

edit; to correct a word

Edited yesterday at 03:48 AM by fredk

[mbnaegle]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. Keep em coming!