Since I requested this I guess I'll start. Many of you may already do this (and probably better than me) but this is the easiest way to paint horses that I have found. I learned it long ago and all my 15mm and 28mm horse I've painted are done this way. It's not speedy but you can do many in short order and have them ready as you do the horsemen.
Take your standard horse figures, prime them in white.
Paint the horses in orange and yellow acrylics.
(Important) Let them dry completely.
Once dry paint the horses using burnt umber or raw sienna oil paints. The oils will stain the acrylic paint, but they have to be dry. I do them in groups of 12 or so and by the time I finish painting the 12th I can start the next step.
Use an old clean cotton t-shirt cut into 2" strips and fold them so you have about a 2" square to work with.
Gently wipe the excess oil paint from the horses. Dont rub too hard or you will rub to the - metal. The darker oils will remain in the recesses and provide a natual shading. Remove as much as you want to get your desired effect.
Let them dry completely. At least 24-48 hours.
Once dry you can then paint the reins, add socks, face markings etc.
For black horse prime in black, undercoat in darker blue acrylic and then cover in black oils.
Dapples, add white spots as needed before the oils step.
Yellow undercoat on the left and orange on the right.
Thats my way, whats yours?
Joe