The horse is stripped down to bare wood.

 After sanding and filling holes, 10 coats of gesso were applied and allowed to dry completely for 6 weeks.

While letting the horse cure I worked on the base.  It was also stripped and filled and primed and painted.  

 Stencils were made that created the antique sense of the original horse.  

Then the horse was dappled and other details were painted.

 The glass eyes were inset and the final painting around them done.  Then the whole thing was varnished and attached to the base.  At this point Sandy and Dennis took over to add the mane, tail, ears, saddle and bridle.

The finished product.

Close-up