Talk To Me About Miniature Horses...

[tawnywolf]

Well, I'm new to marestare. I've been watching for about 2 weeks now tops. Let me first say that I am in love with this site and the people on it. Everyone seems so friendly and tolerant of eachother. Well done.

Secondly, I seem to have fallen for Mini's. It took me by surprise because I started riding when I was 4 and worked around horses everyday until I was 16 when I had my first son and then had to stay home with him. I have had a couple of horses of my own when I was younger. Anyway, I've always had a deep love of horses, usually full sized and draft breeds. I've never been around Mini's. A few days ago I caught myself opening the cams of farms with Mini's before all others and really spending quite a bot of time looking at everyone's websites and doing some reading about them on the web. I think I'm in love.
So I want to learn as much as I can about them. I have no intention of buying one anytime soon, I am not in a proper home situation (renting a small 3 bed cottage right on the water in Rhode Island), but my husband and I are striving to fulfill our, (mainly MY) dream of having our own horse farm and hope to move out of RI sometime in the next 5 years or so.
A friend of mine who I will admit is not all that horse savvy made a comment to me about Mini's having a lot of health problems. Is there any truth to this? I would also LOVE to know how they are shown? Is it like a dog show where the judges look at gait and conformation?
It's been almost 7 years since I've been around horses on a daily basis and I want to get back to them so badly that my heart hurts and I feel empty. I'm thinking that maybe when we do move into a more suitable place that getting myself a Mini might ease me back into taking care of horses again.
Either way, I cannot wait to get back to the life I knew I was meant to have ;D Thanks to all the cam owners for letting me ease some of my hurt by watching your beautiful mares and foals.
Brightest Blessings,
Tawny

[tinypony]

well i'm afraid i can't tell you too much about minis seeing as i don't own any but i wanted to say hello to a neighbor - i'm in cranston :-) it's a small world!!! especially when you like in RI lol!

[tawnywolf]

Oh How Cool! I moved out of Cranston a little over two years ago. Before that I had always lived in Warwick and now I'm back, in Conimicut Villiage :-) Hi There! Do you have a farm here? I'm only asking because we're wanting to move out of state because RI doesn't seem to be that great of a place to have horses because of both space and cost and I would love to get your opinion. I have boarded in the past at a RI farm but really don't want to go that route again, we want our own place. Wow, so good to meet you Alicia!
Blessings!
Tawny

[tinypony]

i don't own my own barn (wishful thinking though!) but i do board my horse at a facility in scituate - journey's end farm

[tawnywolf]

LOL! I worked there ages and ages ago Alicia. Small world!

[mbshafeena]

Hi tawnywolf. I am an owner and breeder of miniature horses. I have what you call the "united nations" in my barn, lol. I have miniature horses, arabians and an american saddlebred. I also started off in my younger days (I am vintage now, lol) with riding horses. Back in 1999 we went to Kentucky to purchase our saddlebred and happen to visit the Kentucky Horse Museum and they had a miniature horse show called "The Tulip" an A rated show and qualifier for Nationals. Well one look at them and I was totally enamored and hooked, I had to have one. The problem is once you have one they are like potato chips, you can't just have one soooo I now have 7 with a foal to born here as well in June. Yes there are Nationals for miniature horses . As far as miniatures having more health issues than full size horses, no that is not true. Perhaps the person meant that miniature horses have more "foaling" problems than full size horses, that would be a more fair and accurate statement. Like any horse you have to watch the "food" intake especially since minis are so small in size, you can't feed them like you would a full size horse or they would founder. They are very curious by nature, things that would spook a full size horse doesn't fizz a mini. They are usually always "in your face" and want to know "what you doing?", lol. I love their nature and they are so very endearing. They make a perfect horse for the entire family. They can be ridden by very small children, depending on the height of the minis. There are two registries for minis, one is AMHA (horses 34 inches and under measured at the last mane hairs) and AMHR (up to 38 inches). Each registry has a National Championship. The only classes that do not exist for minis is a "riding class". There is everything else under the sun (jumping, halter, liberty, driving (country pleasure, pleasure, etc, etc.). In addition there is usually a "costume class" which is an absolute scream. Handler and horse are costumed. There is a forum on the internet that is an international forum and that everything and anything about minis. If you are interested let me know and I will send you an email with the link. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask

[tawnywolf]

Oh how awesome! I would love to have the link to that forum! What is Liberty showing?
They do eat the same type of food that big horses do right? Just in small portions? Are they kept in shoes or not? Wow I have so many questions! Do they get the same shots and medical tests done that full sized horses do? You mentioned that they are more prone to foaling problems, is that due to their size in general?
I am quickly getting addicted to looking at Mini sites... *hangs head* this could be the start of a problem.. Do they have 12 step programs for this sort of thing? LOL
Thank you so much for taking the time to write that most information packed post :-) I feel like a sponge sucking up all the info. Are there any good books about Mini's?
Thanks again!
Bright Blessings,
-Tawny

[rich]

Another thing I heard just this weekend is that you have to watch your vet closely. They sometimes forget and will give your mini a full dose of medication. I know it sounds dumb and I don't know why it happens, but just be careful. Perhaps someone with actual experience can elaborate.

[deb]

Hi fellow Rhode Islanders...I'm in Johnston, own a thoroughbred gelding, that I adopted from the thoroughbred retirement foundation and I too, am vintage!!! I board at a barn in Foster...The Rivers Edge..I don't ride very much due to a fall a few yrs ago..still have that I cannot breathe fear...but he's mine and is great therapy!!!! Tawny...welcome to our little family!!!

[tawnywolf]

Ooooo Another Rhode Islander! Boy am I a lucky girl! I'm so used to never seeing anyone from here when I join a forum, it's such a nice change of pace to see horse people from here! What is your TB geldings name Deb? I have a soft spot for TB's. I had a grey TB gelding about 10 years ago. Seems like it was a lifetime ago now. I miss the smell of hay and horse manure! LOL Can I muck anyones stalls? Puuulleeesssee?! :-)
Very Nice to Meet you!
Bright Blessings,
Tawny

[tawnywolf]

Rich,
Thanks so much for telling me you heard about that! Would love to hear from a Mini person if that is a valid worry but I'm very much the type that is always "Better Safe Than Sorry" so if I ever do get a Mini I'll be sure to keep on top of that! Scary Stuff!
Blessings,
Tawny

[lvponies]

Tawny,

I don't know if anyone gave you the link to Lil Beginnings or not, so here it is: lilbeginnings.com/ They are all about minis and is a great place!! Lots of friendly folks who are happy to answer your questions about anything minis. Check out the forum, Breeders Connect and the Sales Board. Lots and lots of fun stuff about minis.

Kim
mtnspringminis.com/index.html

[Heather T]

Hey Tawnywolf - welcome to Mare Stare. I apologize for not answering this sooner - or at least giving my dollars worth (when I talk about my minis 2 cents isn't enough ).

I have about 40 minis....8 are in training with Aloha Acres Training Center in NC. The rest are at my home with the exception of those I share (stallions) and the mares that are out for breeding.

I'm not positive what information you want, so feel free to ask about specific questions. When we discovered miniatures my daughter wanted one (as did I) and her father made her research them...so we have quite a book that she has created. We were told that you only need 1/4 acre for a mini. I tend to disagree with that because I feel they need the room to run and you need the ability to rotate pastures to prevent overgrazing.

We have 10 acres, about 5 is wooded, so our grass is limited. For that reason we provide herbal supplements and good quality hay. But I feel a good quality pasture is worth it's weight in gold. Which is why we are looking for more land.

What Rich mentioned about the vaccines is correct, from our experience. Our vet insisted on giving the same dose as a 1000 pound horse. Our minis would be sore, get welts....it was bad. So we have a new vet that is more open to suggestions and he gives 1/2 and then boosts it later. This has resulted in much better results for our horses. We also do not give Rhino during pregnancy, nor will we give the West Nile. We have witnessed bad experiences with both. Others give these shots and have no problems. That's something you would have to decide on.

The miniatures are horses, without a doubt, but they are their own breed with their own quirks. They tend to be very hardy. My vet has expressed on more than one occassion, her amazement in the pain and distress that they can endure - and that a larger horse would give in to.

Okay...you got me on my mini soapbox...... BUT I have to say one more thing......

There is a post on another forum that states....."mini owners are merely pet owners...not real horseman". That could not be further from the truth. I have had large horses and I have learned and experienced so much more from the minis. Foaling a mini requires diligence, patience, research and attention!!!! Red bags are more common as are dystocias and you have alot less room to work with. That is why you will see us intervene quickly when we do not see progression. That's just our choice....

Okay - shutting up now. It's hard, but...