Ponies and stained wood shelving

[Mirnyj]

It looks wonderful, Raspberry! Glad to hear you found a good solution for your problem. 

[Baby Sugarberry]

Definitely don't put ponies in direct contact with stained wood!
Even years later it can still transfer dye.  Vinyl is super duper happy to pick up dyes of all kinds.  I wouldn't suggest just parchment or wax paper - they're porous, and while better than nothing can potentially act as a transfer medium themselves over time.  Get something completely water/stain proof, like Mylar (the archival gold standard) or other stable plastics, avoid PVC. 

[buddyboymama]

Very cool display shelves! That is a great use of space.

[hathorcat]

What a great display and a super hubby for getting such a great display area for them

I would have recommended exactly what  you have done - clear vinyl (as you would buy for a table top at a haberdashery) - to protect those little hooves as over time the stain would seep into the plastic. But it sounds like they are properly protected now

[ringwraith10]

Oh, I love it! What a cute little nook! Glad you figured something out that could still showcase your husband's fine craftsmanship.