New Pics of My Mini Stud Colt

[helmstead]

Thank you for all this insight!

I guess I am looking for longevity, soundness (ie conformation) and temperament. I'm not a fad follower by any means, so I like the sound of foundation bred when it comes to minis and I'm more into performance than halter.

I don't see any market at all really for backyard breeding of these things - altho I can't help but be tempted to find a little broodmare for him but another side of me says geld him the second he turns three. The foals are SO ceeeooote but they also come with so many possible problems.

So...the more information I have to come to a conclusion, the better!

 

[EweSheep]

It all based on his family and you should not have any problems with him with the care he got.

Breeding minis isnt too hard in fact you take several things in consideration. Of the "mess" of the mini breeding, do not breed a mare that has foaling problems as Mr Boone advised me, buy a mare that is 32 or taller. Any less than that, you are increasing chances of problems foaling, dwarfism, leg deformity. OUt of all the minis mares I had, all of them are two inches taller than my studs and never had any problems at all. If you wanting to breed smaller and smaller, and want to take the chances, go for it and be prepared for heartbreaks too. Mr Boone said for that type of set up, just leave it to the professionals and do your research and talk and more talking before you leap in the arena with strictly breeding minis of 32 inches or less. He has lost a few now and then but stilll bothers him as he lost one of his fav mares due to foaling problems...she was less than 29 inches tall ....its part of the business and the risks involved in breeding.

Temperment is important too. Longetivity, not a problem...the buckskin stud now gelded, is now 28 years old.

So buying a foundation mare or filly would be a good thing to go but be forewarned, it would be addictive! Like chickens, cant stop with just a few...gotta have more! As the market for minis goes, its a buyers market....when I got out of it, it was starting to go downhill and the prices falling so breeders can take a loss and move the horses for next years foal crop. Others are getting out of it for finacial reasons or retiring.

Color is a good indicator for people who wants certain colors .... bays, black with bay factor, chestnuts and palominos are good to cross with a buckskin stallion. Pinto markings add a pizzaz in the color! Had a tobiano black and white stud that was Rowdy grandson and I sold him before I can ever use him as a stud on my mares but the people that bought the herd, they are continuing to use him on my mares that I was planning on the future to breed them.

 

[helmstead]

Again, thanks! A local horse rescue here has a pen full of minis with dwarfism...so sad. Good to know the chances are less with a mare over 32 inches.

Because I just don't like pintos...I'd be more inclined to find an appaloosa patterned mare or another single dilute. I've reseached the dickens out of dilute colors (also have a buckskin AQHA mare who I might breed should she prove herself in the show ring) and I used to breed Appaloosas - my first love.

Any appaloosa lines I should look for? I know, I know, they're hard to find. I've noticed a huge movement towards the frame overos lately on farm websites.

 

[EweSheep]

I had a grey appaloosa mare that I crossed over with my buckskin stallion, produced two greys with mottled skin and one buckskin appy colt. She was over 38 inches tall and very refined like a Davenport Arab mare. Her mother got one of the beautiful Arab head and body. Her sire, I never saw him or seen pics of him.

Van Huttenest or Zodiac mini horse lines would be a good one to start with.....I am trying to remember the old foundation apply lines but those two popped up in my mind. My appy mare was from Jandt's lines in Michigan.
I dont think they are breeding anymore but still some out there. I think one of the Bond lines have one appy but unable to recall his name....

The buckskin appy colt I had, he was a looker! Due to the grey gene from his mother, he became lighter dun with big chestnut spots on his rump and he was a good cart horse. He was gelded.

A bay, palomino, chestnut with white rump and spots would get some flashy and sometimes loud colors on their offsprings.

I personally dont like overos but thats the "fad" going on LOL.