Review: 31166 Beautiful Horse
Posted by benbacardi,
No fewer than nine brick-built animals have been released as part of this year's Creator 3-in-1, including 31166 Beautiful Horse, which gives you the choice of building a horse, a bear, or a deer.
I'm usually a big fan of the detailed, posable models provided by these sets, and I don't believe a horse has appeared at this scale before—with almost 700 pieces, it's one of the larger animal models available.
Summary
31166 Beautiful Horse, 685 pieces.
£44.99 / $54.99 / €49.99 | 6.6p/8.0c/7.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The horse is yet another excellent Creator animal build that looks great on display with a variety of dynamic poses.
- Fantastic horse model with great posability
- Great for display with the grassy base
- Good value for money
- Deer model a little flimsy and lacks any additional build
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Horse
The main model, as the set's name indicates, is a beautiful horse. The majestic creature appears to be what is known as a palomino colour, with a golden coat and a lighter mane and tail. The designers have captured the shape of the horse very well, from the curves of the body, narrowing at the abdomen, to the neck and details on the head.
The tail and mane make great use of various shaped parts to convey the look of slightly shaggy hair, and I like how the mane differs from one side of the horse's neck to the other, rather than being symmetrical.
All four legs are attached securely via click joints that can rotate—smaller ones for the front legs, and larger for the rear that are better hidden inside the horse's thighs. There are other points of articulation, too—the ankles are attached via click hinges, the tail a pair of ball joints, the neck can lower and raise around an axle buried in the shoulders, and the head has full movement around another ball joint. For once, the grey of the ball joints doesn't seem particularly out of place!
This dismantled photo below shows the main construction of the horse's body and its leg attachments. Everything is solidly built, and very secure once attached.
The remainder of the parts are used to build a small grassy area for the horse to stand, complete with a variety of flowers and stones. This was very satisfying to build; primarily constructed on its side, and resulting in a neat and pleasing structure.
Three technic connectors protrude from the base in exactly the right places to insert securely into the hooves of three of the horse's legs. The fourth, its front right leg, is not attached, so that it can be posed in the air as if in movement if you wish. This is the only leg that can bend at the knee—although constructed in a very similar way, the front left leg doesn't contain a hinge.
The detailing on the horse's face is excellent. I particularly like the use of a black technic pin to represent the creature's prominent nostrils, and the white stripe of colouring down its nose. The distinctive shape of the head has been captured very well.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed a clip on the end of the horse's tail, or a small green bar in the middle of the base—these are to allow you to pose the horse in a very dynamic position indeed, rearing into the air with its nose high and front legs outstretched! This is achieved by turning the horse around on its base, and clipping the tail securely to the ground to hold the position. It looks great, and would be an excellent way to display the model.
Bear
If the horse doesn't capture your imagination, you can instead choose to build a brown bear. Like the horse, the shape of the animal has been captured very well, staggering the curved bricks down the bear's side to give texture and definition to its shape.
This time, though, the white hinges used for the ankle joints stand out somewhat jarringly, as the only white on the model. The legs are attached via the same joints as before, as is the head.
Alongside the bear is a small waterfall built using pieces that made up the horse's base. It looks great, and was a fun little model to build, though it is far too small for the bear to catch fish in, as they are often depicted doing!
The bear is mostly stable when standing upright, and cannot sit down, but its legs can be posed in a walking motion, and its mouth opened. The head is quite detailed, if a little flat at the back. I like how the ears use the underside of tiles to good effect, and the pointed black nose. The bright pink 1x2 round tile on its bottom jaw represents a very bright tongue!
Deer
Finally, if you'd rather a more docile animal, you can choose instead to build an elegant deer. This is the weakest of the models, with the most fragile head and spindly legs, and obvious grey connectors that stand out.
Once again, it's constructed in a very similar manner to other two models—four articulated legs (with no further joints this time, not even at the ankles), and the head attached via a ball joint for the most freedom of movement. The neck is a skinny version of the horse's.
The model is a little wobbly even when standing straight, and it was a challenge to get it to stay upright while posed at all for the photo below.
I do like the little white tail hinged from the deer's rear, and the white patches of fur either side of it. The underside of the 2x6 tiles in a stark rectangle detract somewhat from the overall look, however.
The deer's head makes good use of a variety of parts for its shaping, antlers, and prominent ears. The antlers did have a tendency to come off while I was moving the model around, however.
Sadly, there's no piece of scenery built with the deer model, a choice I don't understand—the deer is by far the smallest of the three models, and none of the green or blue pieces are used in its construction, so something could definitely have been included at no extra cost.
Verdict
Creator 3-in-1 models have set a high bar with their animal builds in the past, and this horse doesn't disappoint. The shaping and detailing of the majestic creature are excellent, the display base is a great inclusion, and it can be posed in a variety of interesting and dynamic ways without compromising its stability.
The other two models don't quite live up to the first, with the deer definitely the weakest of the three, and let down somewhat by the lack of any supporting model. However, that's not to say they're not good—they're just not quite as good as the horse.
At £44.99 / $54.99 / €49.99 for 685 pieces, it's also pretty good value for money. I look forward to seeing what animals LEGO produces for 2026!
31166 Beautiful Horse is available at LEGO.com for £44.99 / $54.99 / €49.99.
121 likes
51 comments on this article
Creator continues to impress with these great animal models. Thanks for the review, @benbacardi !
"My lovely horse
Running through the fields
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the wind? "
I have horses, if you pet their cheeks you do feel like a large round disk in their jaw, so it’s actually not a bad part choice for that.
I think this has been said many times before, but this type of set is what Lego is all about - back to the days of creative builds although with a much greater palette of both parts and colours than before - there really is no need for any licensed sets - why pay to use somebody else's ideas when there's things like this that can be used as free inspiration?
I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!
@danieltheo said:
"I think this has been said many times before, but this type of set is what Lego is all about - back to the days of creative builds although with a much greater palette of both parts and colours than before - there really is no need for any licensed sets - why pay to use somebody else's ideas when there's things like this that can be used as free inspiration?"
Because some of us want the licensed themes! Star Wars Lego is a childhood dream come true for me.
@Murdoch17 said:
"I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!"
I liked that prank well enough, but then some thin-skinned billionaire edgelord stepped in and retroactively ruined a perfectly good joke simply by association.
I don't even want to credit him by name, but you know who I mean. The worst thing to come out of South-Africa since Apartheid, that guy.
Anyway, nice set. I think the bear might actually be my favourite, I like that one far better than even the main model.
@lost_scotsman said:
""My lovely horse
Running through the fields
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the wind? ""
"I want to shower you with sugar lumps
And ride you over fences
Polish your hooves every single day
And take you to the horse dentist"
The most important question: is it to scale with 3220 My Dad?
“The model is a little wobbly even when standing straight.“
To be fair I imagine this is true (to an extent) of the real thing.
Look at my horse, my horse is amazing...
Not as good as 010423 The Majestic Horse
As a 41 year old man, I'm not what you would call a "horse girl", but this is one nice horse.
3 in 1s are absolutely crushing the game.
That dismantled photo of the horse gave me flashbacks to the movie "The Cell".
I love that they give you the option to pose the horse rearing up on its hind legs.
@lost_scotsman said:
""My lovely horse
Running through the fields
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the wind? ""
Came for the Father Ted, was not disappointed.
I much prefer 010423 , except it's not widely available. Maybe someone will make MOC instructions to turn the Beautiful horse into the Majestic Horse.
The bear is by far my favorite. That poor deer looks sick.
@Crux said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!"
I liked that prank well enough, but then some thin-skinned billionaire edgelord stepped in and retroactively ruined a perfectly good joke simply by association.
I don't even want to credit him by name, but you know who I mean. The worst thing to come out of South-Africa since Apartheid, that guy.
Anyway, nice set. I think the bear might actually be my favourite, I like that one far better than even the main model."
wth did he do?!
0/10: horse doesn't have a Shiba Inu head
Beautiful it may be but not quite as majestic
https://brickset.com/article/93330
Great review! I still think 010423 is better though. That set is majestic, whereas this one is beautiful, just a notch behind in my opinion.
I'm looking forward to the sequel, Pretty Horse, followed by Nice Horse, and ending with Horse. :)
@Alemas said:
"I'm looking forward to the sequel, Pretty Horse, followed by Nice Horse, and ending with Horse. :)"
Knowing Lego, there'll be an entire range of equidae. Be sure to prepare enough shelf-space for the Adequate Zebra, the Mediocre Mule, the Disappointing Kunga and the Bad Ass.
It's a Beautiful Horse, but thankfully not a Majestic Horse... IYKYK
Excellent writeup!
LEGO really knew what they were doing with this set. Similar sizing AND pricing to Breyer's Traditional range, yet highly articulated and customizable (definitely making a few in different markings). May try different breeds, also.
Also, the articulation. Most larger fully articulated horses (McFarlane's Roach, Boss Fight Studios Mighty Steeds, Mythic Legions, etc.) are pricey and fragile. I'm 3D printing someone else's design right now as well. I have one of the Mighty Steeds, and found him to be extremely fragile (front left hoof is now glued at the forelock as a result).
Just did the math as I was curious on scaling, as I have several Breyer horses.
LEGO says 9.5 in. long in the description. I measured a few of my own horses.
Hoof to tail, my average Traditional (1:9) scale horse measures just over 10 inches long. Thus, close. I'm guessing he'll work well with most 1:10/7-inch figures, as I have a couple of the 1:10 Diamond Select Westworld figures, and none of them look exactly right with either Classic/Freedom (1:12) or Traditional horses.
PS: yes, that does mean they'll work well with Scala/My Dad. They were eight inch/1:9.
I like the bear the most, the horse looks fine as well but the space between its front legs and brest looks a bit too wide.
That deer though looks like it died a few days ago due to starvation.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought of the Majestic Horse when I saw the notification. This one has far better shaping in my opinion(comparing to the renders of Majestic). I love the poseability of the horse, and the bear looks really good too! They conveyed the proper thicc look of a bear, particularly in the caboose. The deer is a little weak, but not awful. I love seeing this Creator line continue to grow!
@cody6268 said:
"PS: yes, that does mean they'll work well with Scala/My Dad. They were eight inch/1:9. "
Thank you for answering a question that would have kept many of us up at night. Now My Dad can have a majestic steed to ride forth and deliver gifts with.
Where's my Uma Musume horse-girl set? I want a Goldship ASAP!
Looks like some good internal workings to build my Venom horse sometime.
@GirlWoman said:
" @Crux said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!"
I liked that prank well enough, but then some thin-skinned billionaire edgelord stepped in and retroactively ruined a perfectly good joke simply by association.
I don't even want to credit him by name, but you know who I mean. The worst thing to come out of South-Africa since Apartheid, that guy.
Anyway, nice set. I think the bear might actually be my favourite, I like that one far better than even the main model."
wth did he do?!"
Concerning the Lego set, of course. We don't need a re-hash of how he destroyed the world or StyleCounselor will need a counselor and a couch.
@WokePope said:
" @lost_scotsman said:
""My lovely horse
Running through the fields
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the wind? ""
Came for the Father Ted, was not disappointed."
Where now the horse and the rider?
Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow....
It’s not as cool as 010423 The Majestic Horse, but ai like it.
@WokePope said:
" @lost_scotsman said:
""My lovely horse
Running through the fields
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the wind? ""
Came for the Father Ted, was not disappointed."
The only correct reply to what is to me a thoroughly disturbing set. I can only think someone at Lego has won a bet to get this released. Or, they are a Father Ted fan, in which case excellent work.
This set is going to make a beautiful "oops millennium falcon"
@Murdoch17 said:
"I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!"
It's crazy how often I think of that review and smile to myself. Of all the reviews, and of all the wonderful photos, critiques and in-depth analyses, that ridiculous horse is the one I keep thinking of.
What made it great is that the horse wasn't some obviously terrible joke build. It was *just* okay enough that someone could plausibly review it with a straight face.
With that out of the way, this horse is really well done, but I might actually prefer the bear. The secondary builds on these animal 3-in-1 sets have stood on their own pretty well.
Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures.
@TheOtherMike said:
"Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures."
That was honestly one of my first feelings about this set. It's a bit unnervingly smooth.
That said, WTF did Elon have to do with 010423?
The front half is great - very well shaped, particularly the head & neck. The hind leg angles have presumably been sacrificed in the interest of stability; it will be interesting to try and make them a bit more horse-like (or improve its conformation if you will). Colour swaps would also be fun to try.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures."
That was honestly one of my first feelings about this set. It's a bit unnervingly smooth.
That said, WTF did Elon have to do with 010423?"
010423's head looks like the Doge meme.
@560heliport said:
" @danieltheo said:
"I think this has been said many times before, but this type of set is what Lego is all about - back to the days of creative builds although with a much greater palette of both parts and colours than before - there really is no need for any licensed sets - why pay to use somebody else's ideas when there's things like this that can be used as free inspiration?"
Because some of us want the licensed themes! Star Wars Lego is a childhood dream come true for me.
"
I'm kind of in the middle. I don't mind the licensed sets, it's just I don't like them taking over completely. Last years space themed sets felt like a breath of fresh air...
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures."
That was honestly one of my first feelings about this set. It's a bit unnervingly smooth.
That said, WTF did Elon have to do with 010423?"
010423's head looks like the Doge meme."
Thanks for the elucidation. I don't really think so, but, don't really care, ether. ;)
Finally, a Mr. Ed set. It looks splendid.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @GirlWoman said:
" @Crux said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"I guess the LEGO Aprils Fools day prank set 010423 from 2023 caused such interest that this set was created. After all, it takes about 2 years to design a set!"
I liked that prank well enough, but then some thin-skinned billionaire edgelord stepped in and retroactively ruined a perfectly good joke simply by association.
I don't even want to credit him by name, but you know who I mean. The worst thing to come out of South-Africa since Apartheid, that guy.
Anyway, nice set. I think the bear might actually be my favourite, I like that one far better than even the main model."
wth did he do?!"
Concerning the Lego set, of course. We don't need a re-hash of how he destroyed the world or StyleCounselor will need a counselor and a couch. "
Of course of course. How did the clown ruin the joke?
Was this not an April Fools joke?
I prefer the bear. Something about the horse's legs disturbs me.
I think the bear is the best, personally.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures."
That was honestly one of my first feelings about this set. It's a bit unnervingly smooth.
That said, WTF did Elon have to do with 010423 ?"
010423 's head looks like the Doge meme."
Thanks for the elucidation. I don't really think so, but, don't really care, ether. ;)"
The fake review model had a Shiba Inu Head and Sonic The Hedgehog's shoes. That version isn't the picture in the data base though.
https://brickset.com/article/93330/[april-fool-s]-prototype-review-010423-the-majestic-horse. Those pictures only exist in the review yet.
@Eightcoins8 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Came for the 010423 jokes, was not disappointed. Am a bit disappointed, however, that I'm not the first to wonder whether it's in scale with Scala figures."
That was honestly one of my first feelings about this set. It's a bit unnervingly smooth.
That said, WTF did Elon have to do with 010423 ?"
010423 's head looks like the Doge meme."
Thanks for the elucidation. I don't really think so, but, don't really care, ether. ;)"
The fake review model had a Shiba Inu Head and Sonic The Hedgehog's shoes. That version isn't the picture in the data base though.
https://brickset.com/article/93330/[april-fool-s]-prototype-review-010423-the-majestic-horse. Those pictures only exist in the review yet."
No, they're also under the "Images" tab on 010423 database page.
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!
@darkstonegrey said:
"A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"
It's only fifty-five dollars, no need to spend that much.