The Model Horse YouTube Community Is Dead 

I miss the days of being a tiny child and watching other tiny children make videos about their plastic ponies going to “the ultimate cross country competition” and whatnot. Old model RU-vidr’s like HoneyheartsC don’t upload model videos anymore, and have completely rebranded to stuff like StarStable or have just... left

god damn this really helped me, i’m so glad someone from the community has talked about this. Can thank you enough for what you’ve done for all of us, so frickin inspiring :)

Great video! "Making what I want to make" is a mentality I'm trying to adopt this year as well. Also totally feel how it's so different now from when we were kids just filming for fun. So much feels dependent on quality these days and is probably one of the reasons I've struggled to bring my model horse series back. Burn out is also real. Being kid it was so much easier to have the energy to do everything it seems.

Dude, thank you. I think a lot of model horse filmmakers are intimated by so many things nowadays. I myself have been working on a script for a series for about 2 years now, and I've been facing the fear of my work not being original enough, not having high enough production value, etc. It's nice to remind myself that this is a hobby, not a job, and that stepping away form it for a while makes such a difference. I've recently gone back to working on said series, and as a film/screenwriting/animation student, noticing all the ways that it can be improved. I think that this community may never be the same, but I've seen a lot of kids recently who just make series to make them, despite them not being the best. I hope a lot of those kids can keep having fun and keep this community going. The other thing that I think has turned away a lot of people from this hobby is a lot of the negativity that you see in comments and in some videos. I've seen literal channels dedicated to hating on model horse creators.

Hey there, just added a sub to you channel... I'm an adult collector who came back to the hobby in the last 6 years or so, and ramped up as many did during the lockdowns... But the post quarantine burnout is VERY real. One good thing, is it led me to pursuing an ADHD diagnosis, and I've been wrestling with that for the last year or so... But I feel you on burnout and doomscrolling. I think our brains just got used to the easy, yet diminishing returns of dopamine that came with getting absorbed in doomscrolling. And now we're craving our fix. To retrain our brains to get that dopamine from being creative, rather than seeking out novel content is especially difficult. Human brains are wired for efficiency. And if the social media scrolling brings the dopamine, then why bother waste the energy being creative? One thing I learned from my therapist in the past couple years, is that burnout can take YEARS to recover from. But it will start to get better, little by little. And I think you're on the right track. Find what inspires you, and try to ground your creativity in that. Think of it as nurturing an ember back into a usable cooking fire. Give it what it needs... Fuel, oxygen, and space... Find things that fuel your imagination and breathe life into them. It's difficult when a channel is built around a niche interest, because people's interests change over time. I think you're perfectly justified in this response, and just making the content YOU want to make. Your life and your content is your shit show. Run it how you please. People will engage with you if you are an engaging person... And I hope you are able to strike that spark again. Like I said, I added my sub, because as someone who is feeling much the same in a different context, I think I will definitely enjoy engaging with your content. Take care, good luck, and keep on speaking up!

Damn. Thank you so much. This made me feel so much better about my filming. I can’t believe I didn’t realize how many other people are going through these same situations. I’ve always watched amazing people create content about toy horses and wanted to get in on the action. I made, horribly silly little videos over the years just for fun. Then in 2021 I created my RU-vid channel. From then on I’ve felt overwhelmed about filming my videos. I haven’t actually filmed much content with actual storylines because I felt so intimidated. “What if i can’t think of anything original? What if people think I can’t make up my own ideas?” Having to write a good script. Having to film a “good” story. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been making other kind of content. Art, OCs etc. I never realized how difficult and frustrating it would be. I can’t thank you enough. This really did make me feel good. I don’t know how else to thank you.

Oh jeez, I relate so much. I've been posting actively during the quarantine, but now that I'm on the edge of graduating from uni, I just feel so overwhelmed and out of motivation. However! I don't think the community is too far gone. I'm still actively uploading on my channel in polish and would really love to reactivate my english channel. I guess you've just given me the final nudge to do that! Thank you for this video. I'm feeling seen and understood. Let's break the cycle!

That's such an interesting thought. 7+ years ago when everyone on RU-vid was just creating whatever they loved or had fun with, regardless of structure or equipment. Definitely now if you are 'competing' with the algorithm it favours very high quality content over labor of love videos 🥲

I totally agree. It’s sad to see the community going in the direction that it’s going. There is a lot of undiscovered creativity among collectors, and I would love to see what they produce and how they grow as creators! Also. I’m looking forward to seeing your future videos!

This video really resonated with me, I remember there was a time where so many people were making short films and series I didn’t know what to do with myself. I find it so hard getting motivation these days as well, but how you mentioned making content that you actually enjoy making, I feel that really helps. Thanks Snoopy, we all needed to hear this ❤

We NEED our RU-vidrs!!!!!! Come on folks. 🖤

It’s crazy too see people we looked up to when we were younger quit it feels like we have almost a space to fill. I definitely remember caring less about quality and more bout quantity. It feels like it takes weeks almost months to make a video when it used to take a couple minutes. I feel like we care too much about what others think about is and not what matters most to us.

I relate to this so much, I feel like you were speaking to me from what I do, meaning "doom scrolling" and not posting what I want to do. Thank you so much, this is my motivation to start posting again. Thank you so much!

Thank you! i found this helpful! I used to be a collector from at least 2012 to late 2023 and i used to post a bunch of music videos with my Schleich Horses but i kinda took a toll on collecting this year because of the prices of those increasing and did not fit the time i had to collect them again but i am taking a step back from constantly from buying them since i do have a job part-time and releasing remixes of songs on SoundCloud and commiting to perform with a cover rock band i'm in at the moment which is finishing up sometime in June and then from high school to college this August which make's it harder but I am getting in the zone of returning to collecting Schleich for me at the moment but i am making a return to collecting

This was perfectly said. I had a huge burn out in the hobby for 3 years (2019 to mid 2022) so you hit the nail right on the head there. I just recently, in the second half of 2022, was able to obtain my interest for it again. I’ve learned since then that it’s ok to have a burn out and to take a break and enjoy other likes and interests. ❤ Like you said, it is hard to stay consistent with videos when you have a full time job and a life outside of that. I’ll scroll through social media and get ideas on videos to make, but I never fall through with them. However, recently I have told myself that if I really truly want to make that video to not wait and to act upon it asap. It’s been one of my 2023 resolutions. Thank you for making this video! I’ve been thinking the same way for a while but just couldn’t put it into words. You said it perfectly! ❤️

It's sad to see, when I was younger the community was thriving. I'm trying my best to become the future of the model horse community. Quarantine kicked me out of the community and I'm finally back.

God, I honestly haven't felt this encouraged to do any film making or photography in a while. Breyer horses was my childhood since I was a little younger then 10, and I sadly have let my Instagram account go and procrastinated all of my film projects to the point where I forgot about them or don't where to pick them back up at. That was all I wanted not even 5 years ago to grow and inspire other model horse content creators just like you and many others did for me when I was little. I had SO many ideas for films and I was so excited to bring them to life, not to mention, I had grown so much in photography, since I was self taught, to the point where I couldn't wait to see what else I could do. I've been trying to get myself back to doing photography and maybe even bring my films to life, but its been hard to find motivation. I will say though, with this video that you have made, its definitely put me back into the mindset I had back then. For the first time in a while, I have that excited and inpatient feeling that I used to have, and it honestly is sentimental for me. I will say, I am going to try and put this feeling into action and try to get back into the model horse things I love. This hobby meant a lot to me back then, and it still does, so why not try and be apart of it still? If there's any creator reading this, I want to say that you can definitely start now. You do not need an expensive editing software, or a 'great' camera, you just need you and your horses to start. I hope this year encourages everyone to do what they love, no matter the hate or the equipment! :)

I am SCREAMING at how perfect this video is. It honest to god made me log into my dead model horse RU-vid for the first time in two years. Glad to see that you’re back and I’m excited to support any sort of content coming out of your channel! As a model horse collector currently majoring in film production too, the urge to just make something carefree for this account eats me alive every day. But just like you said, it’s the doom scrolling and constant thought that even my model horse videos have to be perfection that kills it for me. I’ve truly haven’t seen a video I’ve related to so much lately 😅 I want nothing more than to see the mode Horse RU-vid community thriving again ;-;

I'm glad someone like you talks about this. I was going to make a video about it but never had time to film so it's really good you're discussing this issue. It's really sad how some of the model horse community RU-vidrs have left or just don't upload anymore.

I just started on RU-vid and this is the most motivation I have ever received from anyone, anywhere and ever. THANKSOMUCH!💗You made me cry.

megannnnn. i think so often of the fun times we had when we were kids. i honestly thought there was no model horse community left besides you and like poe but the comments of this are so fun to see. i sold most of my ponies so sadly CD will forever be unfinished, but i’m so glad to see the legacy we created as kids is still here, one way or another. -fal

You go girl! Look forward to watching the new video's and watching all the past ones!

%100 agree with this. The Model Horse Community has definitely took a swan dive off the roof. However, this has definitely inspired me to at least try to come up with new and more interesting content. Thank you for sharing this with us. We most certainly need to stop worrying about how well we make content and just make it fun instead!

I love this so much. For years I watched people make RU-vid content and I always said "I wanna try that," and yet, never tried. I also had fallen away from the hobby for a LONG time. There are a lot of feelings/emotions behind what sorts of videos to share and what to not share, and I struggle with everybody on RU-vid with any algorithm clout saying "stay consistent. Know your audience. Post regularly (on time!)," and blah blah blah. I just want to be me. I just want everyone to be themselves, and be okay with sharing that, and not have envy and meanness leak over from hobby FB-land. I want to feel okay about posting a video I make for myself, and not get bummed if it "doesn't do well" according to Analytics. I want to be like The Mares and talk about other interests even if their show is branded a "Model Horse Podcast." I want to be okay with my channel not doing as well as others because I don't share gameplay. Burnout is totally real, and hopefully folks get through it ok and share their tours and unboxings and revived model horse series videos. Thank you so much for being so real and honest. I'm excited to see what you do next; whatever it is.

2007-2013 was the best time to be in the model horse youtube community

The amount of good youtubers i'm seeing in the comments section is great! I'm hoping that this video will create some traction and we will see some truly creative and amazing videos coming out!

This isn’t just for model horses this is a message for everyone

You made so many great points. I hope this video pushes and ignites some renewed passion and motivation in the RU-vid community. When I was in middle school, making mode horse movies was a huge part of my life. I spent hours making props and just going out and filming whatever I wanted. Then highschool and college came along, and I graduated college and am feeling the weight of adulthood and I just miss the days of playing with my horses and making fun videos. I’ve thought about starting up a series but I’ve been so intimidated and discouraged because I don’t have the setup to accomplish the quality I desire. I suppose I just need to get out of my head and just film with what I have. I had a lot less when I was 12 but made so many videos. Time to reclaim that energy ☺️

I feel like I’m in the exact same headspace as you are right now- having just graduated college and trying to figure out where to go from there when your whole life has been dedicated to education is… just a little bit terrifying. And, on top of it all, what started as just a “hobby” (for me it’s drawing and model horses in general,) is now a “hobby” no longer. It’s my full time job, and there’s no escape from that. So it’s hard to get excited sometimes. Especially when you’ve been so invested for so long… and being exposed to people who seem to constantly hate or critique your work puts a damper on it as well. Working for a larger model horse company, it was cool to see people talk about my designs and it was certainly validating as an artist, but man… did the burnout and the fear of hatred and disappointing people set in quickly. I hope the model horse community, especially the creators within it, can find that spark again. It’s worth holding onto, even if it may seem tough at times.

OMG this helped so much!! I haven't made a video that I was proud of in over a year, and now I'm inspired again!! Thank you!

I love this tysm for this I just joined RU-vid in July 2022 and my channel has grown but I just have a hard time this helped so much there was someone who said “your first 50/100 videos are gonna be horrible people probably won’t even watch them it took me having 1k+ videos before I even got a good amount of subs” it’s kinda true tho! ❤

i completely agree with this, i miss when there were always new model horse videos :/ and i really wish the yt model horse community could come back

highly agree

You already have and will continue to do amazing things wherever your career takes you. Keep up the good work!

I grew up 11-15yr old watching people’s camera filmed one shotted model horse videos and it gives me nostalgia just going to watch them again! I miss when RU-vid was like that ☺️

So happy to have you back, Megan! Looking forward to watch the videos you'll post, no matter what they'll be about!

I totally agree. Things just arn't quite the same.

I love creating model horse content, but honestly a big thing for me is being able to fit that creative part of me into real life. If I’m not at work all I feel like doing is laying on my bed scrolling through tiktok even though I have so many videos planned to film.💛

This hit home big time I've been wanting to start my RU-vid channel but I felt like there is no point so I am going to do it

YES! you spoke true bestie!! but we shall bring the community back!! :D

word up girl. I miss the good old days.

Thanks for this! :)

Well I want to make a RU-vid channel, but I can't, I have lots of horses that I would always make videos with, if i have a youtube channel

You got this🙏🙏

100%

I miss the randomness of it. People like fruitsalad1234, who had no script or plan and just let their imagination run free. It was so much easier back then. There weren't any high expectations, we were all just kids with a camera. I also think the newer features of youtube has changed things. Limiting comments on childrens media, not being able to comment on someones account or message them directly creates a distance between creator and viewer. It's harder to make friends on the platform now, whereas ten years ago, this is where I met all my hobby friends.

I loved just posting random ass shit. Sure, I was bullied A LOT for it because my classmates found it, but I found my people through the „good ol‘ modelhorse times“. SO WHO’S THE REAL LOSER HERE? 😂 Jokes aside, I love this idea and would also love to participate. But I also know myself way to well. I‘ll start planning a bunch and get burnt out along the way since I sadly also grew up and when doing a 9 hour job in media where my only free time is in the dark, I‘d rather not stare at my computer for another 3 hours. And I wouldn’t be caught dead posting a toaster-quality video. Oh, what I would give to be 13 and just starting my model horse journey again 😍

This!! It's a never-ending cycle

I have so many ideas for videos I wanna make but I’m too nervous to make. This video gave me inspiration and the who gives a shit mentality.

I might just have to join you on this!!

Your first step should be to shed the guilty feelings because guilt is a destructive emotion. If you can devote more time to doing the things you want to do, live more in the moment and you'll be on the right path.

Hey Megan, it's been a while!:)) I just saw this video and I wanted to say this really made me think about some stuff. I still don't think I'll be active again for a good while but what you just said definitely moved me towards a better place and mindset. See you

Hi snoopy, I took your advice and I have started uploading on my channel again 🙂

Model horse community is dead Said nobody

I’m actually getting back into collecting and Breyer horse movie making. ❤ 26 now was also known as foreverbreyerlover.