What do people do with mini horses?

[patandchickens]

I second Floridachick's point about never feeding other peoples' horses without express permission. Minis, in particular, are often never all *that* far from laminitis

Two other uses for minis, albeit pretty uncommon ones:

-- as "teasers" on a breeding farm (they will let you know which mares are in heat without being as hard to handle, or as much of an unplanned-pregnancy risk, as a full sized stallion would be [some use full-sized or pony cryptorchids to tease, but there's so few of them around, and nobody really wants foals sired by an escaped teaser

]).

-- and also as, I can't think of the official term but basically "seeing eye ponies". Yes, some have been trained to perform the duties of a seeing-eye dog, and apparently they are pretty good at it. Go figure

Pat

 

[Chick_a_dee]

We had a mini horse, called Cujo that we took in the showmanship type classes at the local fairs, we paid $50.00 for him

at the auction, and he was GORGEOUS, he was a registered ex-stud.

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

I've seen some used as seeing eye ponies.

 

[asher]

My kids want a horse. I am scared of big horses. If we ever get a big enough place/land, I will possibly get a couple of minis horses just for pets. I'd get a miniature cow, too, if I could afford it. ;-)

Why? Just because I like what I like. ;-) And I spoil myself on rare occasions and when I can afford it.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Quote:
If our 5 yr old ends up needing a guide animal we are probably going to go with a mini....

 

[EweSheep]

I used to raise miniature horses both AMHA and AMHR registered. Correction on the height: in the AMHR the mini horse needs to reach up to 38 inches, no taller or they will go into the Shetland Pony registration.

I agree on most of the folks' suggestions on keeping minis and they do founder easily! Do not give them any grain high in corn, that is a no no! They do not need much and grass hay or for the best, alfalfa mixed with grass is the best I would give to my minis. I do feed mine with just oats and a little Calf Manna (for preggy mares) and good pasture or grass hay. Never had any issues with founder with that in mind until I moved my minis to my aunt's uncle farm who he had thrown some corn twice a day of the size of coffee can!!!!!!

and one of my mares foundered so bad that I had to put her down. From then on, I sold off the herd to a couple not far from me. They were expensive horses too~

Also there are several bloodlines you need to take notice if you are going to breed them, some would pass bad genetic genes and others are fine or others would throw oversized minis every other time.

As for the prices, when I got started in minis, they were expensive and nowadays, with bad breeders gluttoned and selfishishly (sp) to get the babies out with alot of money and quality went by the wayside. Now there is an overbundance of minis out there and not all of them are registered or correct parentages. You can get one for ten dollars out here in the auction with papers, mostly AMHR but occassionally you would find a mare for a little higher priced. Mostly geldings and stallions sell the least but once you geld them, they can be wonderful pets. Do not spoil them too much or they would get nasty mouthed with you. A firm hand and consisent manner toward them is all they need to respect you.

Good luck in finding a miniature!

 

[reallemons1]

I drive mine. Romeo is very good with kids and I took him in a nursing home. He is very gentle and dependable. Here he is with my 2 year old granddaughter. Romeo is 32" tall.

 

[EweSheep]

AWWWWWWWWWWW!

 

[WisconsinChick]

Doesn't look very happy!

 

[supdude]

mini horses are for cowboy monkeys to raid the indian monkeys with their six shooters.