Welcome to the Strelets Forum. Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets. If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
I use a variety of small tools from Sprue Cutters to Diagonal Nippers. For me, the Strelets Horses are simple as I use an ordinary Hand Snipper to remove them from the sprue then remove the stump with a Flush End Cutter. I then use a wide bladed Exacto to even out any bumps.
Finally to smoothe out the base, I simply rub the figure along the bottom of my large wooden desk, it actually works great.