I got into horses when I was 11, got a 'family' horse at 12 and got my first horse of my own for my 15th birthday and i will be 16 when I get my first mini. (turn 16 on sunday)
We did a poll on this exact same thing, I think it was about 1 1/2 years ago.
Average age, I believe it was either 45, or 47, when the person first started into Minis. We had a large number respond, and there were 10 people who responded who didn't get started until over 65!!!!!!
I purchased my first mini's this year and i'm a full 20 years young! But let me tell you, I wasn't prepared for all the unexpected costs, but it was well worth bringing home the dolls!
Well on a purely technical level I guess my first pony at 8 kinda qualified he was only about 38 inches and ornery...
actual miniatures...... we got our first gelding in 1993 I was 24.......I had worked on a pony farm and we had some mini's and very small ponies so I was fairly familiar....we also have had big horses pretty much forever.........
My sis and I got our first minis this year (July). I'm 13 and sis is 8. 'Got into' minis when I was 11, though. It took 2 years to convince dad!! But once he saw Stalker
(Suzi's boyfriend/future hubby) at Bill's (our breeder) place, I think the battle was won. Although dad said our two dogs were the only pets we were going to have, as soon as we drove up to Bill's I remember dad softly cooing something along the lines of 'Ooohhh.........look at them!'