| Since their introduction in 2001 Santa Fe, New Mexico, | | | | artist's signature, lower edition and casting number, and |
| the Trail of Painted Ponies model horses have been | | | | if it is an exclusive or retired pony. The most sought |
| delighting collectors and art enthusiasts. The original | | | | after designs are signed and hand numbered first |
| designs were life-sized fiberglass horse figures which | | | | editions. The saleability of an item and its current |
| were creatively painted by artists. Today's Trail of | | | | bidding price on Internet auction sites are the best |
| Painted Ponies are smaller, collectible wooden horses, | | | | ways to determine the approximate value of a Trail of |
| but they still have the same artistic uniqueness seen in | | | | Painted Ponies horse. |
| the original models. | | | | There are many designs created throughout the year. |
| Collectors are keen to find all of the 120 different | | | | New figurines are announced twice annually: once on |
| figurines made thus far. This includes 4 exclusive and | | | | December first and once on June first. At each of |
| 16 holiday designs. There have also been 40 holiday | | | | these times eight new designs are presented to the |
| ornaments made. Twelve different ponies are retired | | | | public. June also has the announcement of the holiday |
| annually, and these instantly become more valuable to | | | | ponies. Additionally, there are also Native figurines |
| collectors who flock to eBay to find them. There are | | | | which have been created by Native American |
| many other factors which increase the value of a | | | | designers and artists to promote their rich heritage and |
| particular Trail of Painted Ponies figurine, these include: | | | | traditions. |