So I think I am getting a Mini Horse...

[OtterCreekRanch]

I have wanted a minature horse ever since I was a kid. I brought it up to my husband recently and he said he would get me one from Christmas. I found a local breeder with some absolutely adorable March-May babies. She has 2 little fillies and a colt left at this point. Of course the little girls are priced a little more steeply than the boy. I have owned (full size) horses in the past, but never a mini. I do not have any plans to train him or her to do anything really (besides basic ground matters), I am just wanting a pet and maybe eventually sometime in the future breed. My question is...how hard are little mini stallions to handle? I know a full size stallion can be trouble, but are minis as bad considering the size difference? Also, I can really only afford 1 mini at the moment (though I would love to have two since the fillies are not related to the colt) but I know horses are herd animals. Just how well would a little colt adjust to spending a lot of his day alone with a decent amount of human companionship? I joked with my husband about getting a goat to be his buddy, but really I feel like he does need some sort of companion. What do yall with Mini horse experience think?

 

[ramirezframing]

my mom's was a stud muffin for over 10 years, never bred him. But he was really nice and all. But he was taught ground manners and messed with the hole time. Than I had kids and he was really easy to train for them to ride. Since the kids are riding him he became a cupcake two years ago, nothing has changed in him. He just doesn't nicker at the mares as he is being taken outta his pen. One would be happier with a friend of some kind. Good luck

 

[critterrun]

PLEASE TRAIN IT !!!!

if anything ever happens It would be better if they know something

lots are going thru the auction here VERY CHEAP
just like big horses they need to be trained or get bad manners

they are great for driving or even taking to nursing homes for visits

They are like chips cant just have 1

best of luck

 

[FlaRocky]

Have you thought about getting a rescue mini? Tons are available for adoption with training for driving. Might want to check this out.

Maye

 

[Kelly G]

Geld it!

Stallions are more work - even when they're angels! You know horses - there are always good stallions - but ugh! Is it worth it?

My grey dun Fjord was a gem of a stallion....now he's a prince of a gelding! You can see his picture on my page.

Training your mini is a piece of cake! And it's like an insurance policy for his future...broke horses are more likely to find good homes if it ever becomes necessary.

I'm so jealous - I've always wanted one!

 

[Skyesrocket]

If you are going to get a very young one it is really important to teach it proper ground manners. Don't let it get away with anything you wouldn't let a full size horse do. Geldings make better pets. Even a mini stud could hurt a person if it tried to mount them.
Having said that, they are adorable. I have a very old mini...somewhere into his 30's as far as anyone can figure. His best friend is an old dairy nanny that stands as tall as he is. They graze together and sleep together at night. If you can't get a pair of mini's really consider a dehorned goat to keep it company.
Don't forget to post pics so we can all have an awwww moment.

 

[critterrun]

Quote:

I have Fjords too mine is also a great GELDING now
your guys look so nice congrads love the barn too

I am just starting in chickens this year and am trying to hatch some

alot of mini people dont geld

but I think it is better
they are still horses
and are easyer to place if something goes wrong
alot are going to the aucton here and most horse people will not take a stallion so sad

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:

I have Fjords too mine is also a great GELDING now
your guys look so nice congrads love the barn too

I am just starting in chickens this year and am trying to hatch some

alot of mini people dont geld

but I think it is better
they are still horses
and are easyer to place if something goes wrong
alot are going to the aucton here and most horse people will not take a stallion so sad

So cool!! I want to see pictures.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I have 3 mini geldings & they are great lawnmowers. Had a stud, but he was a handfull. He's now with a mare on another farm.

 

[lilcritters]

I have 12 minis and LOVE them... thing is they don't sell well where I am and have trouble selling the ones I need to sell. I have a gelding that is cart broke and take him to several community functions. I also have a dwarf that I take to nursing homes. The residents LOVE her. When breeding you really have to be aware of the dwarf gene. A lot of breeders are very secretive about wether their mare or stud have thrown any. A lot of breeders ay no to breeding ANY that have been known to have dwarfs because there is always a chance that the off spring will carry the gene. There is not a definate test for the gene yet but it is in the works! I do have a mare thats filly had a dwarf. But this does not mean MY mare had the gene. The stud could have passed the gene to the filly. Which I have seen the stud and have questions on if he was dwarfy. Educate yourself on the gene if you are looking for a future breeder. As for studs I have the worlds BEST stud! course I may be a tad bit partial to him... He can be handled by the most novice person and is always on his best behavior. BUT studs are studs no matter what the size!


April