So Mad I Need To VENT!! (ATTN Mini owners/lovers)

[finallyashowgirl]

My darn cousin has bought a Miniature Appaloosa! She has NO experience whatsoever with any kind of horse. I think she bought it on a whim. I don't know the details of it yet, but I know it is 25 inches. I'm angry because she has NO CLUE what she is doing! She thinks she can just buy a mini and treat it like a dog or something! She wants to buy a doghouse for it. Now, I don't think that's too bad, at least the poor thing will have shelter, and she does have some land, but it just makes me so mad that she put NO thought into the fact that she now owns a HORSE! I don't even think she kows what to feed it! I have a feeling that she thinks all it needs is grass. ARRRGGGHHH!! Well, you know where I'll be spending alot of time! She WILL NOT neglect this animal if I can help it!! But, she needs to know what she's in for and unfortunately, I have limited experience with minis, too (but at least I have experience with horses in general). I am learning from this board, but if you could tell me some things she definately needs to know, I would be very appreciative!

[traceyclydeowner]

i am so sorry you don't approve..but catch more flies with honey than vinegar..try to find some positive in what you perceive negative..from what i see there are alot of mini farms aboard marestare and maybe you could turn her on to this website..maybe she will see how much work it is and gain from a wealth of knowledge this website has to offer...be happy for her and try not to get to involved make her do the homework....who knows maybe you will enjoy being a part of this one's life..and no matter whatyou do not tak eon the responsibility ,sit back and wait for her to come around with questions and you will be able to guide her and take the creditlater on..besides you never know she may just surprise you...use this experience to get closer to your cousin..god always has a plan ..wether we understand at that moment or not ..it always works out for the best...good luck and we are all here for you....

[leonanc]

So very true Tracy, also remember showgirl, that a person can read all the books on owning a horse in the world, and take bunchs of training classes and you still end up learning as you go along. Nobody is perfect, and there is no perfect horse owner. I am sure we have all made mistakes, and still will. Owning a horse, as with other animals, is almost like haveing a baby, you can go to birthing classes, and parenting classes, but until you have that baby in your hands, learning never realy starts. Be there for her and help her learn about horses and how to take care of them, make it a fun adventure for the both of you, and a way for you both to grow together. And remember there are bunches of mini owners on here, got questions just ask.

[traceyclydeowner]

so true ...and right on the money...

[amby]

That is SOOO VERY true. I had spent 15 years reading everything I could about horses before I met Casper. And to tell you the truth in the almost year I have had him it hasnt made a bit difference. He teaches me what I need to know as we go along!! Support her and help her, but don't judge and criticize it will only make it harder. And yes, bring her here. I have never once been met with anything but love and support from the WONDERFUL people on here who have helped me through all of Casper's ups and downs.

[Linda]

Tracey and Leona, what good advice. Very well said. I fully agree with you guys. I read the books, talked to friends who own minis, but didn't really start learning until I got my first ones. What a big responsabilty they are, and ton's of work. I feel it's well worth it, I love my horses, but sometimes it's heartbreaking when one gets sick. It takes lot's of money, patients, and love.
Finallyashowgirl, you should what Tracey said, give her a helping hand and support her. I think it will work out better in the end. Good luck to your cousin and hope she get's your helping hand.

[chrystalpaths]

Use this experience to help and guide your cousin. It will bring a glow to your heart and help 2 beings that could use the guidance.

[Golden Girl]

Hi finallyashowgirl, you know me from the chat room, Golden Girl Any-who keeping a mini horse is basically the same as a large horse except on a smaller scale. If you really think about it they are the same animal, just adjust everything down, feed, fencing, stalls etc.......
*The thing that I do know that is different is that shelter for minis MUST have air circulation. Remember that a mini is closer to the ground, and the ammonia from soiled bedding affects them must worst than a larger size animal! Mini horses are more prone to get a respiratory infection from this. A run in shed is best for a mini, but you still need to muck it out if it gets soiled.
*It is MORE difficult to trim a mini's hoof believe or not. You can't hold their hoof still inbetween your legs like a full size horse. You must find a farrier that is familiar & willing to trim a mini horse. Be careful in this respect.
*Fencing for minis MUST be dog resistant! I don't need to tell you why
*pasture & turn-out, Minis horses need to go out with other mini horses. One kick from a larger animal and BAD NEWS! That is all I have to say about this!

Those are just a few of things that I have found out about keeping mini horses. If you EVER want to pick my brain feel free to email me@ [e-mail]

Your chatty friend,
Golden Girl

[Sherrie]

There is also a website called lilbeginnings.com/ that has alot of info

Good luck

[leonanc]

Great idea Sherrie, never thought of that, but yes that web site has a lot of info, for I have never owned a horse and I am a proud owner of two mini's. And they are doing great! But I have usd that web site a bunch it has a lot of great info. Good Call!

[lauriebarbaro]

Hi finallyashowgirl,
You have gotten some great advice here on the board, but in your message it is unclear if your concern is that your cousin has no knowledge of minis or she DOES NOT take care of any of her animals...seems that you feel that she is already neglectful of other animals she owns...I could be wrong...I HOPE I AM!!!

[finallyashowgirl]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and info. I was upset when I first heard about this because my cousin does not think before she acts. She does take care of her dog and cat, but, IMO, a mini is a whole different story. Like I said, she thinks she can give it grass and a dog house and the horse will be fine. I have given her the websites posted here, as well as a few others, and told her to please call me if she needs anything. I WILL stop out there to see how they are doing, because I have a feeling she will not look up any info on anything. I tried to suggest a few things that she might need to do, but she just said "It can't possibly be that hard". Well, I guess we'll see. I won't suggest anything else to her unless she asks, but if I see that the horse is being neglected, I WILL do something about it.

[patty dukes]

this reminds me of when I got my first horse. I wanted one all my life and read everything that I could find on horses but didn't learn until I got my first horse. I learned about the bad and good things that come of having horses. I learned right away what bots were and this horse had gotten hives and I tried to give her a shot (I got woosy so my hubsand which is scared of needles gave her the shot) I learned that a horse will kick if you stand too close to the rear........lol.. I was that inexperienced person once upon a time. I have 2 horses now and I still learn things almost everyday expecially since I have a mare in foal which I am stilll learning about. My first horse was a 2 yr old filly she was full of fire........well not at first she was very calm you could do anything to this horse and she didn't care. I was told that I will have a different horse after I started feeding her good BOY was they right. she went from the nice calm horse to this young spirited NOT BROKE (of course) full of fire horse. I got cheated out of her that is when I learned about double talking horse traders. He told my hubsand one thing and me another, next thing we knew he had our horse that we loved and we had these 2 young horses that we didn't need. I have the mare in foal and hopefully have a healthy baby but at the time we had these 2 young horses I didn't have horses long and didn't know enough to have a young one. I know I have ventured off the subject but I am just saying that you don't learn anything unless you jump right in and do it. I understand that the mini horses are alot different and have seen some onrey ones. I was told that ppl think of them as big pets as if they were dogs and that is why some of them get onrey. If the cousin doesn't take care of the horse as it should be maybe she would let you have it.
I wish her luck and hope everything goes good and the horse is taken care of.....

[patty dukes]

is there an update on this?