Who switched from big horses to minis???? When??

[targetsmom]

I have owned and shown "big" (up to 15 H) horses since 1960. Please do not do the math! My latest is Target, a Pinto gelding I have had since 1994. I have been showing him since 1996 at PtHA shows in our area, which also offer classes for Pinto minis. When I moved him home in 2003 (after the second of his colic surgeries) and sought a companion, we found a mini pinto gelding that I could also take to the same shows. Of course, 4 years later, we have 6 minis with another on the way, and Target seldom gets shown. The minis get shown at PtHA, AMHA, and we are about to add AMHR shows to the list. Target has gradually gotten used to the fact the trailer leaves without him, but he still doesn't like it! I did take him to a local show in late 2005, which he thoroughly enjoyed AND won division champion!

P.S. No, I do not keep the minis in with Target.

 

[Reble]

With my small inheritance from my biological father ( I was adopted ) passed away in 1986 I bought my first Quarter/ Arab Horse. Woke my hubby up about 2:00 a.m. to tell him, I know what I am buying with my $5000.00 left to me. He just said, do not be silly go back to sleep. We lived in the city. So found a place to board him. Well from there, we learned to ride and got my children into showing. Also taught our 15.3 H Horse to kneel to get up on him his name was ( REBLE )

Than breeding Tennessee Walkers and than Paso Finos, went to miniature horses about 5 years ago.

Daughter still has two riding Paso Finos.

 

[~Karen~]

I have really enjoyed reading these responses! What a wonderful thread.

I don't have near the history that alot of you do with horses. I grew up moving from place to place and after I got grown, I didn't know how to stop moving for quite some time. Between the military and my husband of 11 years, it has really settled me down and we are fixing to plant permanent roots on our 40 acres. I use to cry when I was a child, every time I saw a horse out in a field as we would be driving down the road. I always thought, "if that was my horse, I would be right there with it alllll the time. Other times, I would look out the window as we were driving down the road and pretend that I was on horseback. I would see me and my horse (had to be an Arabian) clearing obsticles, etc. (I guess I could mention that the 1st horse I had was a dark palamino Shetland mare, that I, at the age of 3, named Sunshine. We didn't have her very long before we moved). It wasn't until I was grown that I got my 1st horse, an Arabian, who a man 'swindled' me into. She was ohhh so pretty, but ohhh so smart and HATED to be bothered. I got seriously hurt by her one day and it caused me to be a bit timid around horses. I did get the most sweetest horse for me after selling Dezzie. Casey, who is in my avatar with my dad, was perfect for me. Casey was a wonderful trail horse and we really connected. I had more ponys and full size horses during that time. Went through a divorce and had to sell because, once again, on the move. Had 1 other horse, which was Caseys little filly, for a while, but she didn't have Caseys personality, so I didn't have quite the connection with her. I got hurt at work, thought at that time I would never again be able to ride, so sold her and we moved to town.

The switch... Bought a little miniature for the kids as a Christmas present, knowing we were going to buy some land. She is too tiny for them to ride... she didn't look so tiny to me when I bought her until she was put with the kids, ha-ha. So we are trading out some work for her gelding companion, who is just big enough for the kids. I can't really call it a complete switch though because I have every intention of purchasing a gaited trail mare for me, and a medium to large riding pony for our 7 year old to grow into. It doesn't matter the size for me, I love them all! My husband calls the little one, "Yard Dawg" Which is sooo fitting for her, she acts just like a puppy!

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Enough rambeling, didn't know where to start, but wanted to jump in too.

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~Karen

 

[HGFarm]

I got into Minis in February of 1995 after having full sized Appaloosas since 1973 (dont do the math here either folks, just keep readin'). We used our horses for ranch work and cattle basicly too, then were doing some breeding and showing on a local level, but loved the barrel racing and speed events and competed on a statewide level there for a while and did well.

The marriage didnt survive but my love for horses sure has. (though my Mom told me I would 'outgrow' it)

Anyhow, after going to work in Corporate America, the corporation was going through some changes and I put my last full sized Appy mare up for sale, as I didnt want that burden if layoffs happened and I had no income. I was able to stay with the company but had sold the big horse, so happened to be looking in the paper (I have no idea why!) and saw an ad for a -- - what else? - - a Mini Appy stallion. I had never been around Minis at all, but hey, a horse is a horse, right?

In two days, the horse was in my yard and what a wonderful little guy!! And of course, you know the story, and you can't just have one..... and it went from there.

I did have a few full sized horses and a couple of POA's the last few years, but just do not have time to devote to it all and work full time too. My first love is with the Minis now, so have no more big horses after selling my Arabian mare last year.

 

[spellcasterminis]

My husband and I both grew up showing big horses. My love was always hunter, jumper and all around. While my husband's family went from contesting horses to palominos. His last gelding was 4th at the world in color. Today we still own 3 big horses for trail riding and hopefully to start doing mounted shooting on. Our daughter of course loves doing hunter and contesting LOL. She's also got her POA she wants to do hunter on. We got into the miniatures when she was 3 or 4yrs old. Figured they'd be perfect for her size and they have been. Of course as time has went on I think my husband and I have fallen more and more in love with them vs the big horses LOL. Showing minis is too much like showing dogs and I'm addicted to that as it is.

 

[ThreeCFarm]

I started in big horses when I was 12 or 13, I think. I had my own for a few months, he didn't work out, I still have the scar to prove it, LOL, and then we got Casey. Casey will never be sold. She is now 18 years old and we got her as a two year old that was so skinny we called her a walking skeleton. I eventually started taking lessons and became good enough and lucky enough to have permission to ride a barn full of other horses so I learned a lot quickly. I rode Western and English and showed a variety of horses, some mine and some "borrowed." I had a bad fall years ago on my mother's QH mare and she messed up knee up. Now it hurts me to ride, but sometimes I can't help myself and I climb up on Casey's back for a ride.

We got our first mini for my younger brother after his pony died. He was too big to ride him, but we trained the gelding to drive and do obstacle, etc. Steven eventually discovered cars, 4 wheelers and dirt bikes were more to his liking, so I pretty much claim the horse now. Bob is another that will never be sold. We bought Bob in 2000.

 

[Gena]

I grew up with quarter horses and have loved horses my whole life. We had two quarter horses and my hubby heard at work someone was selling miniature horses - we went and took a look at them and have been hooked ever since!

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[Sandee]

My sister and I bought our own horses when I was in high school (back about the time the dinosaurs died). I've ridden and shown through out my life - mostly quarter horses. Couldn't afford horses and kids at the same time but when the kids left, I got a horse again. Then when I turned 50 I took up jumping and English for a vacation in Ireland with my sister. My sister started talking about miniatures ( do you see a pattern here?) and at that same time I started having leg problems.

We sold the big horse and got into minis about 4 years ago. I had knee surgery and just have plain "getting old" aches and pains but I can keep up with the minis so far. I love the little devils and still love showing. They're so much easier (was going to say cheaper but had second thoughts there) to take care of than the big 'uns.

 

[Sue S]

We have 7 big horses which we will never get rid of, 1percheron, 1 QT horse, 3 tobianos which you can ride, drive double and single, 2 standard breds which we drive, We have minis which I adore and going to keep all of the horses. I'm just a sucker when it comes to any horses.

 

[horsefeather]

Wow Karen, I can SO relate....am a Navy brat and used to 'window' ride all the time!! LOL

My husband roped and did cutting with his QH. I barrel raced and we trail rode, spending 2 weeks each year in the High Sierras (SP) in California. He wanted minis 40 years ago, I said "What do you do with them?" Finally, about 15 years ago I got him one for his birthday. I was showing our QH mare in Western riding and figured, heck, how hard can it be to show that little ole thing too. OK, like the rest of youall, that one little mini turned into roughly 40+ and I found out they were much harder to get ready for shows than my big mare, couldn't do both, so choose the minis. We still have our 20 yr. old QH but have no place to ride. If we ever sell and get a larger place, I would love to have a Paso. I really, really miss riding but this ole body can't stand the QH gait anymore

We have decided not to raise any more minis as I found it way too hard to let them go (except to the WONDERFUL person who started this thread and a few others). We still have around 20 head but must get down to about 10 since we are now both retired and can't afford to keep all of them.

Pam

 

[MyBarakah]

:aktion033: COOL Thread! I guess my turn here....... by the way I LOVED reading about everyone on here! SO NEAT!

Ok..... I started riding by myself when I was 3 yrs.old. When I was 7 I started taking lessons from a olmpic level dressage trainer/instructor all the way until I was in my late teens. I did the whole 4-H & Open horse show thing with my 2 quarter horses and did most all the events.... my 2 favorites was english equitation and team roping!

Then in college I went to OK to Connors St. College where they had a horse training program... and I specialised in cutting horses. But I first started colts (and LOVED to start colts) when I was 12 yrs.old... I've had the chance to work for allot of different trainers in various disiplines....... and when I moved back home from college I got pretty serious about roping (break away & team roping)..... then when I got married... I moved away from home and couldn't do the roping enough.....so got (long story) into showing pleasure horses and working for a pleasure horse trainer which then in return got my own clients and LOVED showing at the quarter shows and showing against the BIG Boys!!! And could hold my own! I LOVED taking in client horses and helping the horse.....

THEN....... several some years ago...... I filled for divorce (after 8 LONG years)... and moved back, close to home...... and had to give up training full time and the clients :no: ......... that was HARD...... I LOVED THAT! BUT....... was not a good situation I was in......SO I just had a couple big horses left and sold all but one that I competed and showed in dressage..... and also LOVED the dressage! Very challenging and rewarding!

And then......by accident........ got into the minis and have NEVER looked back!! I sold my last big horse this past March and now have all minis and have now had minis for a little over a year n' half but have NEVER liked anything SOOOOOOOOOOO much in my life! Just can't explain it........but I don't miss the big horses at all!!!!!!!!!! I may miss the idea of climbing on a colt and being the first one teaching it something! BUT....... I LOVE these minis and LOVE showing them and trying to get thee nicest "small" herd that I can have...... I know I have TONS more to learn about the minis.......and have been sooooo blessed to have met such GREAT influencial mini people already!!! I can not ever imagine life without these guys!!!! LOVE THEM!

Thanks for letting me share!

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[SkipsMom]

Thanks for all the background stories! :bgrin

Sitting on the sidelines, but observing the mini world, I see a large growth with acceptance in 4-H (a local family lobbied to have miniature horse classes included in our 4-H shows) and in CDE's. It seems that expansion from breed association shows into mainstream horse stuff adapted for mini's is growing. I know for myself breeding is not a goal so geldings are a perfect fit.

Last year at our County Fair Open show there were 31 miniatures in the halter class, 22 or so in the obstacle class and I think 15 in the driving class. Some of the exhibitors that day do breed shows at a very nice level but most were regular horse folk expanding into or exploring the mini world.

I think it is an exciting time to be working with mini's.

Oh and Horsefeathers, you are just the absolute BEST ambassador for miniatures!!! From your herd you knew from our phone calls which one would be the best driving buddy for me to learn with and he has been that and more! Sam's gifts to me allowed me to learn so much, and probably make a few mistakes, but bring Pippin along to driving too. And Pippin, what a heavenly Saint of a kind soul. I can't say enough about his blessed spirit.

 

 

 

[JWC sr.]

In our opinion the most important thing we can do to help our industry is bring new people, kids and families into it. Youth are our future in more ways than one.

Also I wanted to say I really enjoyed this thread as I think everyone has. Thanks for starting it.

:aktion033: :aktion033: :saludando:

 

[wpsellwood]

Now days we have a 41 year old retired barrel horse

Is that true John??? 41 yrs old??? Oh my goodness!
Ok back to the thread. Was born into racing quarter horses, grew up in the racing industry. Trained racehorses. My husband was a jockey he too, was born into it. We both were tired for moving and doing the racing scene heck it had been 30 yrs. I moved around so much when I went to school didnt want my daughter to have to endure that. (Even though I myself wouldnt of traded it for a minute we had lived everywhere in the country) So we were getting bored had one quarter horse left my lead pony. Got him a companion miniature (for the otherside of the fence) now Magic has been world champion several times with my daughter and we have around 15 miniatures. The same lead horse left hes 28 yrs old.