Not anti-miniatures, but . . .

Eriskayowner

Eriskayowner

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A girl who used to be at the yard I keep/kept horses at has been very successful in the miniature horse world. I have seen lots of pictures of her horses (who are very cute) but I can't help but think - what's the point?

I'm sure that she enjoys them, and maybe that is the point, but when your herd of horses (which are essentially kept in her back garden as far as I can tell) are only 30" high, what can you really do with them?
 
TBH I always say the exact same thing... Don't mean it offensively, I just don't see the point either?
 
But surely it's only relative if you enjoy riding/driving.

If you don't, but enjoy horses, why not miniatures? :)

I have a dog that I don't use for anything, she doesn't round up sheep, hunt foxes, lead blind people around or track down criminals, but I still enjoy having her!
 
Munchkin said:
But surely it's only relative if you enjoy riding/driving.

If you don't, but enjoy horses, why not miniatures? :)

I have a dog that I don't use for anything, she doesn't round up sheep, hunt foxes, lead blind people around or track down criminals, but I still enjoy having her!
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Yeah, I can understand the enjoyment factor but I just think it's like having a toy than a proper horse. Dunno!
 
Eriskayowner said:
Yeah, I can understand the enjoyment factor but I just think it's like having a toy than a proper horse. Dunno!
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Why do anything with your horse? Why pick the breed/type you did?
Why bother breeding so many types and breeds to begin with?

All sorts of horses apeal to people,if you dont really want to ride why have all the hassle and expense of a 17hh when you could have a mini.
 
I dont like riding, would like to try driving but cant afford too, but i dont even see the point in them.

Would much rather have a welsh a :) (which i do ;))
 
Oh, let me think:rolleyes:

You can drive them, you can teach them tricks, isn't there a mini high school display team in the UK? You can use them to nanny weanlings, or in Cruiseline's case adopt an orphan foal, you can harness them in teams and race them.

Most people can handle them, even if you are in a wheelchair, they bring a huge amount of pleasure to people everywhere, particularly those who no longer want to ride, or are unable to for whatever reason. They are cheap to feed and take up very little space, mine lives in a quarter acre paddock.

Don't knock minis until you've met a PROPER one, not these dreadful crippled dwarf ponies, they are brilliant, the jack russels of the horse world. :):) Huge characters, quick minds and damn good fun.:D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQj4mcKDQqw


I didn't see the point in them either until I acquired one, he's 32" and will be the last of my horses I'll part with and that would have to be at gunpoint. Give me minis and arabs anyday.:)
 
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anima said:
Why do anything with your horse? Why pick the breed/type you did?
Why bother breeding so many types and breeds to begin with?

All sorts of horses apeal to people,if you dont really want to ride why have all the hassle and expense of a 17hh when you could have a mini.
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I didn't choose Jazz - he chose me! I love him to bits though. If I didn't have him, I'd have something similar. I don't have land/stables etc so have to keep at livery so why would I pay upwards of £15 a week to keep a miniature that has no purpose? I can't ride or drive it so don't really see the point.

Again - fair play to anyone who does have them but it's just not for me!
 
Apart from the EXTREME cuteness??
I do get your point, I much prefer big horseys :) However, I have a miniature as a companion, and I tell you he is so much fun to have around. They always want to play, they have such amazing characters, and they take up very little space which is great if you don't have very much land. I would never just want miniatures but I LOVE having my little Sunny Bunny because.....HE IS SOOOO CUTE!!!

Examples of such cuteness:
Sunny.jpg
 
We have one because we needed something at the time that was good to do no matter who out of the family had to do it (say if we went on holiday) and most unhorsey people will say "Horses are very big and scary" but when they see a miniature that is the size of a dog, it does not phase them at all.

People have cats and dogs for pleasure, horses are meant to be enjoyable surely? Not everyone needs to compete horses to feel satisfaction out of having them :)
 
Well!!!!

They keep guard of the "proper" horses........
Photo667.jpg


They fit into the same rugs.....well he reckons he will grow into it
Photo326.jpg

Photo327.jpg


They dont need a stable........although he does have one but choses not to use it!
Photo061.jpg


They pull funny faces........
Photo103.jpg


They are easy to scratch............
Photo081.jpg


They take "companionship" to the extreme!
Photo064.jpg


I love mine and couldnt be without them
 
Eriskayowner said:
See these are the responses I wanted - people who have found a purpose for them!

Yes, they are very cute and it's a good point about companions etc. Fair enough!
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Quick warning about the companion issue if I may please.

Many minis do very well as companions and are top of the heap, I have a friend who has an 18h Belgian back away from the hay ring because her mini waggled a leg at him!:)
Charley and 16h Maybe adored each other.
DSCF3031.jpg

Charley is quite a strict uncle to weanling Quarter Horses :)
DSCF6160.jpg

Some larger horses REALLY do NOT like small ponies though and can bully them atrociously (or even try to seriously hurt them) also, even an accidental kick to the head in play can kill a mini outright. I would never, ever, mix minis and larger, adult horses unless I was absolutely certain about the mix. In a fight there would only be one winner.:(

DSCF3599.jpg
 
My 2 1/12 year old niece rode on her first pony alone today!! she rode Henrietta the mini shetland and loved every second!! i didn't see the point in owning one (etta belongs to my friend) but after seein Amelia's smile today i know do!!
 
I can't see the point either, but then I'm not interested in anything I can't ride, for instance foals do not interest me at all, I don't even find them that cute.

I suppose having minis and showing them is the same as showing dogs.
 
I have a mini & I wouldn't change him for the world!
I don't have horses just to ride they are pets to me so the fact I can't ride him doesn't phase me at all. Others have gave examples of things you can do with them (lots of things possible with them) but my boy is such a character to the point when it came down to selling him or my 16.2 Irish Sports Horse to get another horse he was the one that stayed! We have such a bond, he is so cheeky and everyone says the yard would just be empty without him! I have had him since he was weaned & I'll have him until the day he dies, can't imagine my life without the little one - who has the biggest place in my heart of all the "real" horses I've ever known :]
 
marmalade76 said:
I can't see the point either, but then I'm not interested in anything I can't ride, for instance foals do not interest me at all, I don't even find them that cute.

I suppose having minis and showing them is the same as showing dogs.
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Each to their own:) Nothing wrong with that opinion at all.
Good job some people like foals though, otherwise you'd have nothing to ride;)
 
I have got 2 Miniature Shetlands and would never sell them!! We rescued one of my Mini Shetlands from the meat man when he was only 3!!! We have now had him 2 and a half years and he is just great fun to be around and is always looking to cause trouble e.g "sneak in food room and eat out of food bins when no one looking" :p
We started 2 show the next year and he has done amazingly :D he has qualified for the championship twice at the David Broomes Centre.
My other Minaiature Shetland was brought off my livery owner as she was moving and couldn't take her shetland with her so we brought him off her to give my other Miniature a friend the same size has him :p I know it is down to personal choice but i believe and always will think that miniatures arn't a waste of time!! They are great for children to build confidence up around the bigger horses!!!
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Victoria, your pictures are great! I can see what great attitudes that they can have. The picture of the one being run over was quite worrying though so maybe not for companions :(

I'm glad that I started this now - I was a bit apprehensive that people were going to jump down my throat!
 
I think if you treat minis like toys you are in for a shed load of trouble. They have the minds of horses even if their bodies are small and need to be treated like horses, i.e. taught manners, expected to behave, looked after properly and given something to do to occupy their minds.

Our mini is a super chap, he is a great nanny, it's always handy to have one that will load and stand in the lorry all day, he keeps the others company, etc. I have seen minis with much more important jobs, e.g. there is a mini guide horse for the blind and now an organisation training more minis:
http://www.guidehorse.com/

Some can do high level in hand work:
http://www.dressur-design.de/inhalte/texte/english/horses/lancelot.php

and of course many ride or do displays.

At the end of the day they bring people enjoyment like any other horse (even ones that are not ridden) by providing companionship and joy!
 
I have to admit to the same attitude towards miniatures of "whats the point of them" even though I know they have many uses and its peoples preference at the end of the day to what they want to own. However I have to say I'm really not keen on American Miniatures / Falabella types I just don't like the look of them (in the same way some I suppose people don't like cobs or TB's) I much prefer the standard Shetland.

No offence intended :D
 
Horses for courses and all that. I think they are lovely and clearly bring a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. At a time when I thought I would never ride again I was seriously thinking about getting a small pony and did not rule out a mini. All equines are worth the time and trouble in my opinion and each can bring immense pleasure to their owners/carers. Just the bond you have brings great joy and satisfaction, well, it does to me anyway.
 
I acquired a mini shetland a few years ago. Until then i hadnt had anything to do with anything smaller than about 11hh. She had a tough start in life and has had some life threatening medical issues (£1000s on vets!) but she is now fully recovered and has a home for life with me. She is the sweetest, kindest, genuine, most lovable character. She gives me much enjoyment with her ways and regularly brings a smile to my face. Not least because when i see her bomb around her paddock doing handstands its amazing to think she was nearly put down several times and her toughness got her through it.

Dont knock it until youve tried it!
 
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