miniature horses - opinions please

bergere · #21 01/13/10, 12:54 PM

I would not recommend to anyone, to even try riding an A sized mini. Their body just can't handle it and damage can be done to them.
A Larger B sized mini with a small child under 50lbs is OK for some of them that size, just depends on the build.

southerngurl · #22 01/13/10, 01:05 PM

One time my sister accidentally took a brief ride on one of my goats. She was straddling it and it took off as goats will do. Well goats tend to have BIG bellies and that grabbed her legs, and so Amy was dangling on top of the goat and then fell off. It was brief so the goat was ok. There have been goats killed by kids riding them. They cannot take it, it will break their back.

**fordson major** · #23 01/14/10, 07:48 AM

runestone, i can probably point ya too some breeders and owners of minis, Canadians as well! we've found that being able to do a basic trim plus having a good horse vet were 2 of the major things to keeping our horses well! a trained mini would be a good starting point! or an older cheval canadien! this site gives you some good links!
http://www.mapleridgefarms.ca/

Runestone · #24 01/14/10, 07:56 AM

Thanks ford major

That's exactly what I was thinking...If I could start with minis and become comfortable with horses that I could manage - later I might be comfortable with something the size of a Canadian.
I've already convinced DH that the minis would be useful around the farm

**fordson major** · #25 01/14/10, 09:15 AM

there is also the newfounland pony, bred too be very strong and reliable! http://www.newfoundlandpony.com/
if your heading down too the valley here, there are many breeders of all kinds of horses!
there was someone that was converting implements for garden tractors to use behind minis/ponies, think it may have been farm show.

Runestone · #26 01/14/10, 11:31 AM

Quote:

there was someone that was converting implements for garden tractors to use behind minis/ponies, think it may have been farm show.

Now that would be really neat!! Implements that fit the horse

I can certainly see all kinds of useful tasks that the little horses could do for me.

PyroDon · #27 01/14/10, 12:17 PM

We have a mini .
hes got great temperment and has never failed to do anything asked of him other than stay in a fence .
miniature horses - opinions please - Equine

miniature horses - opinions please - Equine

He costs less to keep than a dog, and unlike a dog is quite content to weed eat and mow the yard . Hoof trimming is rather simple just need a hoof pick a file and a pair of large end nips . we have never had any need to shoe him.
we put a saddle on him at age two it was on for less than an hour before putting the child on. never balked one bit even though he'd never had one on before . when we got our cart he was harnessed up first time he'd ever had a bit in his mouth. pulled the cart like a champ (no previous training) even backed it up with out so much as a shudder . He's ten years old now and shows no worse for wear
we keep him wormed and his shots up, trim his hooves. Other wise hes pretty much a pet.
This is not to say he doesnt have a few bad habits.
He hates being stuck in a fence and will test every post until he finds some lose enough to work over . Electric fences arent a deterent either for our hard headed houdini I have watched him step up against the electric fence shudder at each jolt and then walk right through it ( keep in mind this was a 25 mile weed burner charger ) . The little booger also will not stand for a dog barking at him or attempting to chase him. He has stomped coons to death in the chicken house and broken dogs ribs as well as taking a chunk out of a couple dogs .
All in all though he's been the easiest animal animal we have ever had the pleasure of keeping . He leaves all his piles in one corner of the yard .
I wouldnt trade our Mighty Mouse for a sea biscuit clone

farm mom · #28 01/14/10, 03:34 PM

We have had mini's. Wonderful animals, lots of fun to drive. They definitely don't see themselves as little. Our mare held her own against the big horses we have. We now have an adorable red leopard mini/POA cross. He is 10H. Pulls a cart and my little ones ride him. Sweet as can be and hardly costs a thing to maintain. I say go for it!

arabian knight · #29 01/14/10, 05:19 PM

I have min's yet to this day. One but that is enough.
I have shown mini's in the past and if you look at my avatar you see what you can do with those little guys.
And if you click on my picture link you will see them in the house.
I even hauled that mini mare in the avatar over 350 miles like that in the back seat to a horse show in Central Iowa. Game away with a few 2nd place ribbons too.
The show was judged by 3 judges at a time. So triple the show points. Cool. The cost is way less then a full sized horse because of the fact they eat very little.
i have 50 pound hay bales and it takes around a WEEK for my little guy to eat that bale while feeding him 2 to 3 times a day just small amounts.

jen74145 · #30 01/15/10, 07:46 PM

Subbing for the same reasons as OP.
And asking too, fencing. Let's say goat fencing/hotwire, is that enough to keep them in and predatory dogs out? Or is wire a huge no-no?

And how do you find a decently mannered one? What do you look for? All I've see here are the puppy mill folks who've branched out into minis.

Anybody have a book rec?

arabian knight · #31 01/15/10, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen74145

Subbing for the same reasons as OP.
And asking too, fencing. Let's say goat fencing/hotwire, is that enough to keep them in and predatory dogs out? Or is wire a huge no-no?

And how do you find a decently mannered one? What do you look for? All I've see here are the puppy mill folks who've branched out into minis.

Anybody have a book rec?

If you really want to learn about mini's here is the best forum site on the net.
Close to 6,000 Members from all over the world talk about miniature horses, miniature donkeys and a host of "horse related" items mostly all connected with the miniature horse.
http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/ "Little Beginnings"

bergere · #32 01/15/10, 10:05 PM

Ya beat me to it. LB site is the best one for gleaning lots of info and they even have a sales board.

Little Beginnings

SLD Farm · #33 01/17/10, 07:52 PM

I have had full size horses my entire life. Yes, accidents can and do happen. I have been stepped on, bit, kicked and fallen off, never a major injury but plenty of bruises to show.
I purchased a mini 3 yrs ago. He is a handful. Total attitude. I have him broken to ride and hope to break him to cart this year. My full size geldings are very calm, much calmer than him.
I do have a question though, has the term pony, been replaced by miniature horse? Many minies I see look a lot like the ponys I knew a few years ago.

PyroDon · #34 01/17/10, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen74145

Subbing for the same reasons as OP.
And asking too, fencing. Let's say goat fencing/hotwire, is that enough to keep them in and predatory dogs out? Or is wire a huge no-no?

And how do you find a decently mannered one? What do you look for? All I've see here are the puppy mill folks who've branched out into minis.

Anybody have a book rec?

I'll admit as a little stallion ours was a handfull but after having him gelded he calmed down quite well . Of course he was also handled quite often and kept in the yard .

arabian knight · #35 01/17/10, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLD Farm

I do have a question though, has the term pony, been replaced by miniature horse? Many minis I see look a lot like the ponies I knew a few years ago.

No it is a Size thing only. under 34 inches is a mini. Which btw many mini's do have shetland blood in them.
Now the other registry AMHR under 34 is Class A mini. 34 to 38 is a Class B mini.
The other registry AMHA is only mini's under 34 inches.
Now with both those registries, you do not measure on the top of the withers like full size horses.
Nope you measure the Last Hair on the Mane.
The Pony then is over 38 inches up to 58 inches or 14.2 hands.

bergere · #36 01/17/10, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLD Farm

I have had full size horses my entire life. Yes, accidents can and do happen. I have been stepped on, bit, kicked and fallen off, never a major injury but plenty of bruises to show.
I purchased a mini 3 yrs ago. He is a handful. Total attitude. I have him broken to ride and hope to break him to cart this year. My full size geldings are very calm, much calmer than him.
I do have a question though, has the term pony, been replaced by miniature horse? Many minies I see look a lot like the ponys I knew a few years ago.

Calling them "Miniature horses" was a marketing ploy of a number of Shetland breeders back in the 60's. Way of selling their animals for more money and it worked.
Genetically.. they are still pony..abet.. some lines have been very refined over the years.

Because I use mine for work or to pull... I like mine to have more bone to them.. more like the older type Shetland.

Mine have a strong/very smart temperament but much more steady than any riding horse I have ever owned.