Are these the most realistic model horses you’ve ever seen?
That’s the aim of Tomás Varela, who started crafting handmade woollen and totally posable equine sculptures for fun in 2019.
Lance, a coloured cob commission
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A lifelong lover of horses, Tomás moved to the UK from Portugal in 2018 after studying equine science.
A Highland stallion
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Tomás has always been arty: “I’ve been drawing since I was a kid,” he tells H&H. “I didn’t learn equine anatomy until I went to university, but when I did my art got better. So I thought, there’s a correlation there.”
Danny Boy – a piece commissioned in memory of a customer’s horse
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Tomás crafts his realistic model horses from British wool using a technique called needle felting.
“I make a wire armature and add a core wool for the shape and a top wool for the colour,” he explains.
Molly and Melloch Zena
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The wool is shaped and made taut by repeatedly stabbing with a needle until it forms the desired shape.
A British Spotted Pony, made for the breed society’s charity auction
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Tomás’ sculptures are so popular that he sells them from his Needle Neddies online shop. In fact, he now makes models full time with a waiting list almost full for 2025.
A one-of-a-kind rainbow Appaloosa unicorn – one of Tomás most fun projects
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The models can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand while others stand up to 30cm at the wither.
Australian commissions Brew and Shelby
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The sky’s the limit in terms of Tomás scope to create – all breeds, markings and and colours can be captured in wool.
Poppy – photo and likeness in wool
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What’s more, Tomás has even made a video course – do you fancy giving it a go yourself?
A Fjord pony
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Tomás has even made a mini version of himself and his favourite horse, Coimbra
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Read our full interview with Tomás in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 11 July 2024.
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A horse owner and rider with more than 20 years experience, Bethany has been writing for equestrian publications since 2017. Over the course of her career, she has reported from major British Riding Clubs and British Dressage championships, covered Badminton Horse Trials and interviewed equestrian sport’s best athletes. Her work can also be found in Country Life, The Field and Breathe magazine.
