What do you do your Mini's?

[kat2290]

I'm currently moping around wishing my two mini's were older as there is so much I want to do with them. They have only just turned one so still too young, but I have decided in a few years in am definitely getting one of these http://www.viableselfsufficiency.co.uk/SC/saddlechariot they look so fun!

For now I am wondering if it would be ok for me to start leading them out in hand on the roads, and if so what equipment would I need? Is it acceptable to do it in just a headcollar or do I need something more substantial? The only issue is the road outside our house is quite fast - 40mph although a lot of people go faster than this. It is a B road so not massively busy, maybe a car goes past every minute on average. A handful of lorries and buses, a few tractors etc. How can I get them used to it, is it just a case of biting the bullet? I could bring them into the garden and stand them next to the hedge which separates us from the road so they would be able to hear the noise of something going past at 40/50mph but not be able to see it. Or perhaps that would be more scary for them than us being on the road and asking vehicles to slow down. I would take a friend with me as well to make things easier

Lets see piccies of what you guys do with your mini's, the more the merrier!

 

[3OldPonies]

Sorry, no pics as am logged on at work. I've had my mini since he was 5 (only headcollar broken and a right tantrum throwing nightmare) and he's been to shows in-hand and broken to drive. He's been for lots of walks in-hand around the local area for exercise, and now has quite a fan club - much to his annoyance! He can only put up with so much 'oh how cute' before he gets fed up! Having said that though, he is very well behaved, especially for a stallion!

If you want to go out on the road, as even a young mini can be pretty strong, I would suggest getting them used to a bit first, something soft like a rubber mullen mouth so that you can 'get hold of them' if you need to without hurting them. Short walks in-hand would probably be a good starting point, not too far though or you could damage them just the same as any other youngster. If you can do a little basic obedience in the field first, so that they can stop and start when you ask, you should be well away!

 

[kat2290]

I would love to show mine but I don't have any transport and don't know anybody who does ....they would however fit in the boot of our van...tempting

They are extremely good to lead and in general they both have excellent manners, so I'm pretty sure once I get them used to moving vehicles they will be great out on the roads. And no I'm not planning on taking them very far to begin with...just to the pub and back

 

[3OldPonies]

Go for it - take them to the pub, they'll have a great time socialising with everyone Just make sure that your smile has great stickability because everyone will want to come for a look and a chat

 

[TelH]

I mostly go and retrieve mine from off the long grass when she has busted through the electric fence And when I'm not doing that I show her in hand

 

[Pinky94]

I'm currently breaking my boy to drive, so long rein him up to my local village (about a mile each way) a few times a week, also getting him used to being ridden, so sometimes it's out in his harness, sometimes in his saddle. I've also taught him a few tricks to keep him out of trouble

 

[kat2290]

Pictures people, pictures!!

 

[Pinky94]

Pictures people, pictures!!

any excuse to show my boy off

 

[kat2290]

Very smart

 

[ChestnutTinker]

N'aww lovely picture

 

[kerrieberry2]

I sit in the field with him, trying to convince him that im not a big scary monster! we've got to the stage where he runs to me, neighs, eats treats from my hand but its still a bit scary if I move too quickly or if he thinks I might try and catch him!

I've had to move his patch away from the foot path as he became a bag of nerves after some brat child was stood at the fence just screaming at him for no reason!

 

[kat2290]

Oh I remember that feeling all too well! But now she follows me round like a puppy and gives me a lovely big whinny when I say hello to her

 

[FfionWinnie]

Everything that I do with my "maxis"

 

[kat2290]

I am v jealous of you and your mini! You do all the things I dream of doing with mine, stop showing off

 

[BellaBoyzie92]

FfionWinnie is that your daughter with the Shetland? How old is she? They are so adorable together!!

 

[Sol]

any excuse to show my boy off

My boyfriend wants to steal your pony, apparently! I think we will soon be starting our own army of micro ponies & donkeys!!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Ummm I have a little herd of minis...will be showing mine and some driving. Love that chariot...awesome....!!!!!

 

[Bridie&theMinis]

Great pictures from everyone. Our little ponies are great fun. Here are pics of my daughter with Sensi who she adores and my boy Jacob doing some pony sledding.

 

[Mynyddcymro]

Any excuse to show pictures of my boy!

We drive.

We loose jump.

And we show in hand. Unfortunately I can't find a nice enough showing photo! I have the most fun with my 'mini' imaginable!

 

[Mynyddcymro]

I lied! I've found a showing picture.

With regards to your question. For the first 9 years of Tigs life all I did was take him for walks in hand. I happily take him in a headcollar however rewind a few years and I had to use a bridle, neck strap and have a whip on me - he was a little horror! They can be amazingly strong when it suits, both mentally and physically!
I'd be tempted to let them listen to the traffic first of all, is there a driveway looking out onto the road you could stand in so they can watch? I'd second the learning manners in the field beforehand.
Why not have a go at showing, even at local level?
That chariot thing is certainly different and seems pricey, why not have a look at normal carts, you may have more scope with something a bit more traditional! Why not post some pictures of your minis?

 

[kat2290]

Fab pictures everybody thankyou! I haven't posted any of mine for two reasons, one I don't have any of them doing anything more exciting than standing in the field and two because at the moment they look ridiculous with the half moulted coats!

With regards to the road, I can stand them at the bottom of our driveway but it sits at a right angle to the road with a big hedge either side so they wouldn't be able to see the vehicles approaching only when they go whooshing past - I wasn't sure if this would be more alarming than just being on the road and able to see the cars passing us (hopefully) slowly. Their manners are very good and they are excellent when being led now(they did go through a tricky stage a few months ago), but I suppose a bit of extra work wouldn't do any harm. Any ideas for exercises to try?

I would love to try showing but we don't have any transport and all local shows would need to be driven to. Our nearest one is about 5miles away so I suppose it's wouldn't be unthinkable to walk to it but it would take a lot of training and again not for a couple of years I suspect.

 

[ghostie-x]

We have two. They grew up together from foals but we ended up getting them at different times. The black one Pipkin we bought as a 3yr old, my little sister was almost 3 at the time and she broke him in herself. They have had a succesful partnership for almost 7 years(thanks to her staying so small and light!!!) and have competed in L/R showing,showjumping,dressage and even hunted twice the season just gone! She really is too big now and is gutted but he will always be her favourite pony

Hunting:

On a hack:

The other mini we have has shown inhand and is a fab bombproof childs pony. I hope that I can find another small child to have fun with them, they're only 10yrs old and have so much more to offer!

 

[kat2290]

Amazing! I love the hunting pic and the Afro on the last pic!!

 

[ghostie-x]

Amazing! I love the hunting pic and the Afro on the last pic!!

Thanks! Unfortunately I couldn't get any nearer when I took the pic of them hunting, as I was on someones scatty Thoroughbred hunter and he was absolutely petrified of the 'small, black,moving ball of fluff' (as were most of the other horses!)

 

[muckypony]

With regards to the road, I can stand them at the bottom of our driveway but it sits at a right angle to the road with a big hedge either side so they wouldn't be able to see the vehicles approaching only when they go whooshing past - I wasn't sure if this would be more alarming than just being on the road and able to see the cars passing us (hopefully) slowly. Their manners are very good and they are excellent when being led now(they did go through a tricky stage a few months ago), but I suppose a bit of extra work wouldn't do any harm. Any ideas for exercises to try?

I'm not stalking you... honest

Just wanted to say, mine were the same, terrified of cars whooshing past the road in front of them, but when on the road they are superstars!! We've tackled a gritter, a stupid stupid boy driving incredibly fast and slamming his brakes on, children waving out of windows... And they just walk, they really are fab. Think the best way to do it is be prepared for all and tally ho!!

Oh and I'm absolutely in love with your boy Mynyddcymro, hes beautiful!! Can't wait to see how mine turn out (although I don't really want them to grow up yet!!)

 

[kat2290]

Leave me alone woman!!!

He he I jest

Aw fab the good to hear! I'm planning on starting road training as soon as they have recovered from this footy episode so I shall keep you all posted on how it goes

 

[FfionWinnie]

FfionWinnie is that your daughter with the Shetland? How old is she? They are so adorable together!!

Yes, she was 4 in April. We got him in January after losing a standard Shetland to grass sickness. He is about 32" and at nearly 5ft8 I can stand over him and "ride" him with my feet flat on the floor (not if he has a saddle on tho!). He had never been ridden but has never put a foot wrong until recently;

I clipped him out a few weeks ago which resulted in him going completely mental and she has been bucked off four times in the last fortnight . It appears he prefers life with at least an inch of padding between him and the world . We have been desensitising him using a dummy and he seems to be returning to the superstar he was previously thank god!

 

[kat2290]

Well I thought it was about time I put some pics of my gruesome twosome up! So here goes, sorry they are boring and looking a bit bedraggled, Cumbria is back to its rainy self this morning after a lovely few days of sunshine.

Currently awaiting vet this morning to have a look at Bella (coloured) who has an abcess for near fore, and to check on Lulu who was lame on Sunday but seems to have recovered after course of antibiotics. If you have read my other thread you will know the story but I'm planning on sectioning off part of field today as they are both footy, combined with the lameness on Sunday and the abscess yesterday I am worried they are getting too much grass...I will be picking the vets brains about this so will update later

Heres Bella sporting her new 'Matt-free' coat thanks to a lot of elbow grease and even more patience from moi



Lulu looking a bit bedraggled as I haven't managed to get all of her matts out yet. I never seem to get a good shot of her, she's not one for posing...unlike Bella

 

[Mynyddcymro]

Muckypony - hehe thanks he's my baby!

Kat2290 - what gorgeous kind faces they have!

 

[kat2290]

Thank you they are very sweet girls