Among the items I picked up at Historicon 2024 was a horse holder and set of horses.
It comes from Brigade Games’ Plains Wars line, which provides all the figures you need to recreate Custer’s Last Stand in miniatures should you choose too.
I’m not about to embark on a project that ambitious, but couldn’t resist this set of figures because it’s so unique.
Most horse holder sets have the horse holder on foot. This one has the horse holder mounted, and the reigns of the three riderless horses pointing in the direction of his hand.
I simply painted the cavalryman riding the occupied horse as though he’s an everyday cowboy who happens to be wearing gloves.
Works pretty well, maybe as a guy holding the horses while his buddies rob a bank. Or the designated rider who can be counted on to stay upright in the saddle while his buddies run into the saloon to quench their thirst.
From the same line, I picked up a wagon driver and guard, because so many dang wagons come without drivers, and a wagon load. Hey, if it doesn’t fit any of the wagons I already own, it can take up some space at the freight station.
Here’s the paint scheme I used. All paints are Vallejo, unless otherwise noted.
Horse holder
Jacket
Brown sand
Brown sand + Iraqui sand
Iraqui sand
Pants
Dark Blue Grey
Dark Blue Grey + Grey Blue
Kerchief
Turquoise + Black
Add more Turquoise
Straight Turquoise
Gloves (really nice!)
Pale Sand
Stained Ivory (Reaper)
Yellowed Bone (Reaper)
Rifle
Orange Brown for wood
Black for metal parts
Natural Steel highlight for metal parts
Agrax Earthshade wash
Stirrups
Cavalry Brown
Boots / Belt / Other Equipment
Saddle Brown
Orange Brown highlight where appropriate
Agrax Earthshade Wash
Hat
Medium Grey
Medium Grey + Light Grey
Light Grey highlights
WAGON RIDERS
Man with shotgun
Shirt
Beige Red
Washed with Scarlet
Beige Red refreshed
White buttons
Jacket
Beige
Washed with Aggaros Dune (Citadel Contrast)
Beige
Yellow Ochre buttons
Paints
Dark Blue
Medium Blue
Shotgun
Orange Brown for wood stock
Washed with Aggrax Earthshade (Citadel Contrast)
Black for barrel
the Natural steel
Shoes:
Saddle Brown
Aggrax Earthshade (Citadel Contrast Wash
Hat: (All Reaper)
Buckskin Pale
Stained Ivory
Yellowed Bone
Creamy Ivory
Driver
Shirt
Medium Blue
Grey Blue
White buttons
Jacket
Black Red
Black Red + English Uniform
English Uniform
Orange Brown button
Reins
Cavalry Brown
Pants
Olive Brown
Oliver Brown + English Uniform
Shoes
Saddle Brown
Aggrax Earthshade (Citadel contrast)
Hat
Basalt Grey
Basalt Grey + Stone Grey
Stone Grey
Deck Tan
