Excellent article and thank you for sharing it.
IMHO though, the Mini market is slightly different than the big horses, as we can't ride them and not everyone wants to drive. So the extensive training for a mare/gelding/stallion, unless you plan to show for a number of years or are doing it for your own personal satisfaction you'll likely never recoup the time/money from that. I'm not saying don't just saying well trained driving geldings that to me should be in the $2-5k range depending on experience/ability - the average buyer wants for $1K or less.
The reality is other than breeders and those that show at the breed shows, most Minis end up in a pet home regardless of quality. Even those that do show locally, drive, do therapy work, etc., tend to view them as pets. Which is great, I'm not knocking it by any means, it's just the reality. Minis average price is much, much lower than the big breeds. Thankfully they're much cheaper to keep!
I love Minis they're my breed of choice, but they do not have an extensive show career or payouts/rewards for showing (versus the big breeds), they are bought/sold for considerably less than many big horse breeds too. And the end of the day a pet doesn't have to be double registered/PQ tested and great conformation. Should it be, IMHO yes. The reality for a non-breeding horse - no. I compare it to dog breeds. Most of us want dogs out of AKC parents, even if we never show/breed, we like to 'think' they're quality.
As for breeding less - definitely agree. That falls on breeders (ALL BREEDERS - whether one foal or 50) to stop selling intact colts that should be gelded, or fillies/mares that do not need to be in the breeding pool (dwarf carriers or other genetic problems). I know breeders that justify using mares/stallions as they only have a random dwarf or other genetic issue. Sorry I won't touch your stock if that's your thought process. If we continue to raise the bar on overall quality, breed for quality not quantity this would in turn limit the number of horses ending up in auctions (or now at with rescues) that would benefit all of us. That also involves educating the public and those new to the breed. Something many breeders do NOT do. They sell okay horses for breeding to inexperienced people. Not a good mix.
If you read the article with a critical eye, the Baby Boomers will be a great market for Mini breeders. As our country's largest population ages, the horse owners maturing and transition out of the large horses, but still want that horse fix - great market for Minis! So a correct, family friendly Mini that can maybe drive or hold their own at a local show will always be valued.
Regarding the smaller pool of buyers in the following generations, yes they will be a smaller buying group of educated buyers. I think that's great. I'd rather sell to an informed person that has the basics on equine/Mini ownership than not. I don't talk people into buying a Mini, in fact I do discourage some or caution them to wait until they know more. I'll share whatever I know with them including my in the trenches education.
