Good you are getting the vet out for bloodwork. Being proactive can solve problems later and then you know what you're dealing with and can target the treatment so you're not guessing. I have one that looked insulin resistant but wasn't so the vet put him on Thyro. It's so hard to know the...
I think a great future for miniature horses would be local, open fun shows for registered and unregistered horses. Driving, games, in-hand classes, jumping. There are lots of backyard horses and people who don't want to compete in the big breed shows (or don't have registered horses) who would...
You might look into making a Paddock Paradise track around the exterior. Google paddock paradise- there's also a FB group with pictures of different ones people have set up all over the world. Basically, it's a track around the perimeter of your pasture that you can use like a sacrifice lot...
Thank you everyone for the beautiful cards! I just loved getting them. Thank you Liz for organizing this. It's the first time I've ever done one of these and it was really fun.
We have cold winter rains for months and the horses have free access to shelter- but I put a rain sheet on if we plan on working the horse in order to have a clean, dry horse to harness up. Long wet coats are miserable to get cleaned up. Same with a riding horse! Too much time spent cleaning...
We have this one: http://northwestpackgoats.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=56 . The breast collar doesn't fit well and or adjust small enough so I haven't used it except on the flat. The rest of the set up is pretty nice.
We hung a rubber stall mat (holes drilled through it) with zip ties around the slant divider to make it go to the floor and that has worked well for our horses. Possibly some could push it over and get under but ours have not.
I use muzzles on my my mini and pony except during summer and when the grass is dormant. There is no way other than dry lot to keep their weights managable otherwise. I know too many people who have had horses founder to take the chance. With a muzzle they can enjoy social and grazing time in...
I think you can find them locally- it just takes time and watching ads, putting the word out. Because driving is less common than riding, there simply aren't as many schoolmaster driving horses out there, and people tend to hold onto them. Patience is the key- don't give up.
I have seen nice kid-safe riding minis advertised in the usual places-- kids outgrow them and move up to big horses so they need new homes. I am sure if she watches the ads and is patient she will find an experienced large riding mini or small pony. I have seen some adorable ones advertised...
I am on the same page. I haven't done CDE but have done dressage and the CDE people I've met there are very laid back and friendly. If I get a new horse I'm less likely to seek out a registered one and more likely to buy a nice, friendly trainable horse with a big hip and good bone. The...