Minis???

[Thomas_1]

I see much mention of "Minis".

But to me they're just ponies.

Over here the only thing that would be called a "mini" is a miniature horse.

What do you guys classify as a "mini"

[T-Biscuit]

I think ideas will differ on that subject but personally I consider anything under 10 hands to be a mini.:)

[Thomas_1]

so nothing to do with miniature horses? Just height??

[LostFarmer]

Most of the minis I see are bred down shetlands. The Fabella lines and the true miniture horses are what I consider a minw. The bred down shetlands are just small ponies. Hows that for a farmers definition?

[Cartfall]

The AMHA is the American Minature Horse Association. Minis are usually the real deal, a minature horse. They are dumped into a category for driving by the ADS in something called VSE or very small equine. The ADS is so politically correct.:) :winkgrin: Actually VSE is anything under 39 inches I think.:confused: Help me out here, VSE people!!! It can be minature horses, or really just small ponies. To my knowledge a minature horse is NOT considered a pony.

But yes, a mini is in my opinion a true minature horse. And they come into sizes A and B like Welsh ponies.

Not being a minature horse owner, I am going on a knowledge gained through my exposure to said equine.

I hope this clarifies what a mini is supposed to be.

[Drive NJ]

Its chilly here today so flame away. Minis are registered with one of two registries and are considered miniature horses. Some minis are of fallabella lines, some seem to have mostly if not all shetland breeding, but are still considered miniature horses if they fit the height requirement. The two registries have slightly different height requirements and measure from the last hair on the main rather than the top of the wither which allows a slightly taller animal to make it into the group.

VSE (very small equine) was not intended to be politically correct, but was coined to deal with both registries plus the smallest non-mini ponies. It came about because when minis first started competing in CDEs many of them were not suited or fit for the job and it wasn't pretty (there were concerns from some competitors and spectators). The ADS was concerned enough to ban them from competition. When the ban came out officially it also affected small ponies who were not having a problem so there was an uproar and ad hoc committees were formed to look into the situation. They came up with the VSE idea and our current system of competition for them. Now as VSE drivers are better preparing (and breeding) their animals for sport, it is becoming clear they are more up to the job than first thought and more changes may be afoot to give them more of a challenge.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Some minis are of fallabella lines, some seem to have mostly if not all shetland breeding.

I always think of mini's as the falabella type, like scaled-down horses. But there's a growing number of little critters near me who look like the Shetlands they have in the U.K. Not the Hackney crossed American Shetlands, but hairy little things with lots of bone and attitude and a tendency to pot bellies. They're adorable.:yes:

Are these "mini's" bred from traditional Shetlands instead of the American type? I ask because I would *love* to have a U.K.-type Shetland, but find the American type taller and finer than what I want.

[Thomas_1]

To me a mini was always a miniature horse and NOT a pony. So in other words a falabella with different attributes to a pony.

In the UK nothing else would be a miniature.

If you had a shetland x - it would be a shetland x pony

If it was indeterminate breeding then it would just be a pony.

Also here anything that measures less than 10 hands high is then classified or called in inches and occasionally in centimetres.

VSE to me just seems a silly longwinded way of saying "pony".

I've got to say that I don't think anything less than 12.2 should be competed in horse driving trials (CDE) and ideally if they're 12.2 I'm of the view they should be in pairs minimally rather than singles. No different if they're permitted to compete with a 2 wheeler and a 4 wheeler is hard work for any small pony. (or indeed for a falabella or miniature horse ;) )

[Drive NJ]

Ahhh but Thomas we ARE allowed to use 2 wheelers at the lower levels of competition so there is a training, preliminary and intermediate level (currently just training and preliminary for VSEs). Plus the VSE folks modified the rules to downsize the event for their smaller sized critters - different speeds, distances, size of dressage ring to allow for true bends etc.

While I agree that there is a difference between the falabellas (many of whom have serious dwarfism charateristics) and the downsized shetlands, there is a registry for these guys and a lot of them out there and they want to come out and play. Good for them if they can do the job under the modified rules and pass the vet checks. But we needed a way to identify who is playing under those rules and selected height as the criteria hence VSE instead of Miniature horse which would limit to the Falabellas and registered Minis.

Those under 10 hands are commonly refered to in inches here too.

[hobbyhorse23]

Miniature Horses in America are a height breed, so regardless of pedigree if the horse or pony is under the height requirements it can be registered as a miniature horse. The registries have now closed in the last several years so it will begin to become a pedigree/bloodline breed, but traditionally it has only been a height registry. You will therefore see Shetland, Falabella, and mutt all accepted as a "miniature horse" and from that gene pool we are breeding towards a standard.

VSE's (mine is a registered miniature horse as well) have proven to do very well in the CDE's offered for them. My horse has never had one single problem in vet check, in fact the commentary has been that his breathing rate is usually back to normal almost before the vet can get to him! And I do not even condition as I'd like to due to lack of driving space around my home. My vet's comment is that things like placentas, scrotum, heart, and lungs are the last things to downsize so my miniature has a very large heart proportionately for his size. This enables him to oxygenate well and have a lot of stamina as well as pulling power for his size.

Intermediate has been opened for VSE's this year and several shows have been held with entrants at that level. One of them won the Best Conditioned Horse award for all Intermediate entries in a big California show! So I think you will find they are able to prove themselves at least in the scaled-down courses. Thomas, I too would hesitate to ask a true miniature (i.e. the 34" and under horses) to tackle the same hills and distances the big horses do. Some exceptional individuals could handle it, but whether they could do it or not in my opinion it is too much to ask with heavy drivers for most small horses. We can safely do much more than we are being allowed to, definitely, but I would say not the same as the big horses. After all, common sense must come in at some point!

But in direct answer to your question, "Miniature Horse" when properly used refers to registered horses under a certain height. Technically the unregistered horses are not "American Miniature Horses" and so would be considered only ponies as an equine under the height of 14.2 hands. I personally have no problem calling them "unregistered minis" as the only difference is that they were found too late to get papers.

So all minis are ponies by height, if not by breed (Shetland, Welsh, etc.)

Not all ponies are miniatures, most are too tall.

And not all horses/ponies under the height limit are technically Miniatures as they are not registered with the miniature horse registry and as such only qualify for the term "pony" to describe their height, or "unregistered miniature" to get more specific about their height.

Clear as mud, right? :lol:

And just one person's opinion.

It gets even more confusing when you consider that a horse that is bred from a registered miniature and a Shetland needs to be described as a "miniature/shetland cross," but isn't one half anything in particular! They could be Shetland/smaller Shetland, mutt and Shetland, Falabella and Shetland...and no matter what, if the horse is too big it isn't a miniature itself despite being technically half registered miniature. Or if it is small enough and gets registered, it's a full Miniature despite the Shetland half! Oy. :no:

Leia

[rcloisonne]

And then of course, there is Thumbelina. The video is very cute.

http://www.wnbc.com/news/10144832/detail.html

[Thomas_1]

Now personally I don't think that is cute at all.

Its clearly a dwarf horse and looks like it has achondroplasia which is a genetic defect. If I'd bred it I think I'd be ashamed and definitely wouldn't have it on show and making money out of it.

I also don't like anthropomorphising horses whether they're 18 hands or 18" and find the carrying it round and cuddling it somewhat abhorant and distasteful. But then I confess to hating those who use small dogs as fashion accessories to be stuffed in handbags.

I've also read Thumbelina's web site and note there is some misinformation regarding pit ponies in the UK. They were not purpose bred miniature ponies less than 34inches at all. Rather they were native breed ponies or native breed cross ponies and ordinarily Welsh Cobs, Dales, dartmoor, exmoor and Shetland Ponies and NOT anywhere near as small as purported on their web site.
http://www.sponsorapony.co.uk/index.html

[rcloisonne]

Now personally I don't think that is cute at all.

Its clearly a dwarf horse and looks like it has achondroplasia which is a genetic defect. If I'd bred it I think I'd be ashamed and definitely wouldn't have it on show and making money out of it.
Oh, for Pete's sake! The owners don't think she's a good thing either and have no intentions of breeding her. They clearly state this. However, I don't see why they should be ashamed. Genetic defects can crop up even even in the most sound breeding programs.

If you really think about it, ALL breed characteristics (dogs/cats/horses, etc.) could be considered genetic defects. Depends on human taste what is considered acceptable, does it not? For example, mashed faced dogs and cats along with massively over muscled QH's with 00 feet give me the willies. Plenty of others do not share my opinion. Different strokes...

[SLW]

There are two breed registries for miniature horses. The AMHA which does not allow mini's taller than 34"- and within that they break down the heights. The AMHR has two sections- 34" and under and 34" to 38". A thoughtful breeding will produce a horse which does look like a very small horse and not one w/ pony characteristics in a small body.

Holy wars can start when die hard AMHA's or AMHR's breeders go up against each other. ;) There tend to be two "types" of miniature horses within both registries- an Arabian type and a Stock type.

I have one gelding who is a husky 34" guy- solid as a rock. My second one is of slighter build and 32" tall. The second one came from a thoughtful breeding and when positioned to something in scale to him in a photo, appears to be a full size horse. My husky 34" guy while a pleasing Appaloosa, does have pony characteristics from his very dished face and large eyes to his "catch me in the paddock if you can" running ability.

I cannot imagine that my smaller mini would be able to do in his cart the same distances and difficulties that my larger mini can do based on height and weight. I could be wrong as I'm just getting the smaller guy going in harness but my hunch is based on simple physics.

[Thomas_1]

When I asked the question I never thought it would be so complicated.

Right in the context of the question what would you call these:

I have a:

shetland that is 39"
A welsh section A 12 hands

A shetland cross with something equine!? 40"

Something indeterminate but its brown! 11.2hands

[SLW]

The 4 you list are considered ponies based on height- all over 38". I don't recall the various heights for a pony to be shown as a small or medium pony hunter but yours fall into that range.

[kearleydk]

Hi Thomas:
Just had to step in to defend my breed here. You mentioned not competing anything under 12.2 h but then I think you qualified that saying pairs would be OK. Caspians top out at 12.2 and I can say that they can run rings around most ponies. I have a husky 12.2 welsh and the Caspians will out work him any day of the week even tho he weighs 700 pounds to their 450.
In England there have been some Caspians that have done very well at scurry driving.

all that said I totally agree with you that running pairs on the smaller equines is the way to go.

Good subject. Thanks for starting it. Now I'll sign off and since I'm the leading thread killer we should be done with it :-)

Dick

[sassie_pony]

:winkgrin:

Here in Australia, we have both Miniature Horses AND Miniature Ponies being shown in Harness classes at shows.

We don't have any doing CDE's as the Australian Carriage Driving Society has a minimum height restriction of over 9hh for CDE ponies.

Shirrine's pony 'Desi' is a registered Miniature Pony, as well as being a registered Shetland pony - he is 34" measured at the top of the wither. (

The pony I used to show was a Studbook Shetland (related to 'Desi') who traced back totally to England/Shetland Isles bloodstock. He loved cones and could do a brilliant dressage test but he measured 9hh (on a good day-with weight on-if he was stirred up-if he stood on tippy-toes, etc!!!). So he was never campained as a CDE pony. :sadsmile:

I show Miniature Ponies in-hand. Mine are shetland bred and do not look like miniature horses, although they are finer than some shetlands. The Miniature Ponies are measured in centimetres at the top of the wither.

Here in Australia as in America, there are several Miniature Horse societies and as with the USA, they do have different maximum heights. The main one (MHAA) has A & B sections - A's being 34" and under and B's over 34" and not exceeding 38" (these measurements are in inches at the last hair of the mane).

Fallabellas have not proved very popular over here, but that could be to do with the quality of stock that have been imported.

[hobbyhorse23]

Right in the context of the question what would you call these:

I have a:

shetland that is 39" a Shetland
A welsh section A 12 hands a Welsh Sect. A
A shetland cross with something equine!? 40" A Shetland pony cross
Something indeterminate but its brown! 11.2hands a brown pony
See? Easy! LOL. :lol: If it's got a pedigree, it's whatever breed it's pedigree says it is and could also be registered as a mini if it's small enough. If it has no pedigree, no papers, and is under 14.2h, it's a pony. Period.

Somehow I think you knew that though. ;)

By the way, AMHA isn't that complicated. It's for horses under 34", only the show classes are divided further by height.

That "miniature pony" thing could get confusing! No wonder there are so many definitions across countries. :eek: Ah well! If it drives well, I love it and no matter the size.

Leia

[Thomas_1]

Hi Thomas:
Just had to step in to defend my breed here. You mentioned not competing anything under 12.2 h but then I think you qualified that saying pairs would be OK. Caspians top out at 12.2 and I can say that they can run rings around most ponies. I have a husky 12.2 welsh and the Caspians will out work him any day of the week even tho he weighs 700 pounds to their 450.
In England there have been some Caspians that have done very well at scurry driving.

all that said I totally agree with you that running pairs on the smaller equines is the way to go.

Good subject. Thanks for starting it. Now I'll sign off and since I'm the leading thread killer we should be done with it :-)

Dick

I did indeed express my personal opinion with regard to small ponies and that they should be in pairs for competition work .

I too have shetlands and welsh A's.

I've 4 black shetlands with me (not mine) that I initially put to harness and train and keep fit for a lady who scurry drives them in pairs.

[KellyS]

As to size of ponies competing, I do think it completely depends on the pony...

Case in point, our first CDE pony was an 11.3 hand Shetland and he was very competitive at the Preliminary level. Regularly beat the 14.2 handers on the marathon and was normally in the top five after dressage with a clean cones.

We developed a carefully crafted fitness schedule and selected a light and balanced marathon carriage. Even though he was a panter, we always cleared the vet box with flying colors. The only reason we moved up to a larger pony? Our little guy didn't meet the minimum FEI height requirement. ;) But we didn' tell him that--he thought he was 17 hands. :winkgrin:

Here's a couple of pics of him in action:

Dressage: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1373735254055731734XppkXb
Marathon: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1373736959055731734dBydFG
In the line-up at Garden State CDE in 2005: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1342690970055731734vbOwQE

He was the smallest Prelim pony, but placed 3rd out of 17 in the marathon and 5th overall.

[SLW]

KellyS- would you be able to share the fitness schedule you used for your Shetland? Is it vastly different than what you would do for a full size/riding horse?

[Ashemont]

Hey Kelly... what about your marathon carriage? What kind is it and how much does it weigh?

Lovely photos :)

[olehossgal]

A good day to everyone!
I am a newbie to this group, but not to horses, nor specifically, to miniature horses, having owned, bred(until a couple of years ago) and trained Miniature horses since '84.
Miniature horses are a 'height' breed, but yes, most are bred down from Shetlands, and in some cases, probably other pony breeds; in the US, most decend from American Shetlands-used to be, American owners,especially of AMHA-registered miniatures, would DENY that the horses were basically Shetland in blood, but that has changed quite a bit over the years....In the American registries, height measurement is 'from the last hair of the mane'-ridiculous, IMO, but I believe that many of the early owners/breeders of Miniature horses weren't "horse people" in the sense of the word, and that's what they chose to do! I believe that ADS created the VSE division in response to a 'demand' by those driving both A and R(34" is the height maximum in the AMHA; 38" the maximum in AMHR)HEIGHT(there is no requirement that the horses be registered in ANYTHING to compete in ADS VSE division, just that they meet the height restrictions) animals to compete in CDEs and similar venues. The designation of 38.98 inches(120 centimeters, if memory serves) at the WITHERS, was chosen; that would include all horses included in BOTH AMHA and AMHR.
All of my miniatures, until last year, have been 34" and under. However, I love driving and other performance, so last spring I bought a 38" mare to drive as a single; I wanted the addional 'power', yet needed to 'stay small'-I am the one and only person available to work the horses, and am not a spring chicken, so need to be able to do this by myself! I do drive a pair; they are 32" and 34". I recently got a Glinkowski "mini mix" marathon carriage; weight is stated to be around 240-250 lbs.; I weigh around 175-180. Just lately actually got to hook and drive it(had Hardy Zantke in our nearby city last weekend for a clinic--what a GREAT learning experience THAT was!!)-drove the pair, who admittedly are NOT currently legged-up for any serious work. They did fine, but were tired at the completion, as the arena ground was far from ideal for little horses, despite efforts in that direction....consideration came from the clinician in that respect, and the horses were fine. That said---if I were to be able to try to seriously compete in VSE CDE(which I seriously doubt I ever will, for several reasons), I would want to have a maximum VSE-sized pair-or, use the single 38" mare(I have a mini Bennington two-wheeler; weight about 110 lbs., which I know to be accurate, BTW)-I would not need a navigator that way, so no more weight, either. I got the marathon vehicle mostly to have something sturdy enough to trail drive the pair. Larger ponies are simply not an option, given my circumstances. I have been very 'tied-up' with secretary and other duties of my mini horse club for a long time; look forward to being 'free' next year and beyond to participate more in area 'fun' ADTs and the like!
Based on my experiences, I DO believe that on average, many miniature horses are quite strong for their size. I ALSO believe that they are often overfaced, usually not by serious and knowledgable drivers, but by relative 'newbies', who may not understand things like the importance of 'fitting' and keeping fit, the horse(s). I believe that when properly fit, and with good common sense and knowledge applied, that many miniature horses can participate and be competitive. Personally, I would not attempt to compete seriously with ANY miniature under 32" in height; I believe nearer maximum height(38") is most preferable-and that in any case, all applicable factors about the animal(s) in question must be fairly taken into account-like age, soundness, body build, temperment, level of fitness, etc.,etc.-before judging how much can be asked of the horse.

Margo

[SLW]

Margo- you are dead on right about miniature owners needing to be realistic about the work load they put in front of their horses.

My 34" guy is a husky gentleman with power and spring. Just this past weekend I drove my 32" mini for the first time. His training had stopped in July with him pulling his cart with me walking beside it. He had hours of ground driving and handling under his harness he had never pulled weight. He was perfect, laid back and easy. However, while trotting up the slope in our front yard he broke into a canter- a nice working canter, no foolishness- but it was clear that was easier for him to canter rather than trot. He pulled up promptly when asked to "trrrrrrot".

Both of my wooden carts are from Pam at Corner Creek Farm. The combined weight of me and either cart is about 250# and it was clear how different each mini handled the weight.

[hobbyhorse23]

Personally, I would not attempt to compete seriously with ANY miniature under 32" in height; I believe nearer maximum height(38") is most preferable...
Margo
It probably is, but boy it's fun to beat those larger guys with an A mini! LOL. In my local experience, the 35-37" minis have enough power to face just about anything with ease without going outside the bounds of an obvious "mini." I figure if I want something around the top of the height range I might as well buy a small Welsh pony that I can ride back to the barn if I need to. Nothing in between interests me particularly! :lol: Either get a mini because it's cute and tiny, or buy a real horse. ;)

::grin::

Leia

[KellyS]

Sorry to be replying so belatedly...I've been a bit under the weather and spent three days in the hospital. Hoping that Mr. KellyS will take me out to the barn this evening to see my "boys." I need some horse therapy.

KellyS- would you be able to share the fitness schedule you used for your Shetland? Is it vastly different than what you would do for a full size/riding horse?

Nothing too ingenius or different...we based it on the interval conditioning program that we use for our event horses, working back from the dates of the CDE to plan out conditioning 2-3 months in advance. Factored in weather, length, and terrain to make sure that whatever we faced in competition was a walk in the park.

Hey Kelly... what about your marathon carriage? What kind is it and how much does it weigh?

It's a Bellcrown Q4--when we had it made for the previous pony it weighed 300 lbs; it now weighs 320 with larger wheels and longer shafts for Merlin. Too much lighter and you start sacrificing stability in the hazards. We are very happy with it. :)

[BlueEyedPony]

I haven't posted here in a while, but wanted to share my "mini" experiences (limited though they are).
I am the proud owner of an "unregistered mini," 37" in height and out of a dam whose AMHA papers were not brought permanent until he was 6 y/o, and a sire whose registration status was unknown to me. Obviously, given his height he would not have been registerable with AMHA anyway as they only register through 34", but he would be considered a VSE in ADS competition. He was the product of what I see mentioned in other posts here...the tendency of minis to be owned and bred by "non-horsey" people due to their managable stature. When I acquired him at age 6, he was hardly halter broke, had NO training to speak of (you mean kicking and biting ISN'T acceptable???), and had never been separated from his dam (who he sadly bred a few years before because said owners did not know to geld him :mad: ...resulting foal died of unknown causes at age 3). With so many cards stacked against him, this little man (now a gelding, of course) has turned into a driving machine; totally and clearly loves having a job. I've found him to be nothing but dependable in the traces, if not a little on the lazy side. However, I did find out the limitations of his size this summer when we attended our first pleasure show. The footing was quite deep and the weather quite steamy (pushing 90). Despite being in fairly good shape, the poor little guy had a terrible time pulling his little easy entry through the deep spots in the footing. He figured things out as we went (we only competed in 3 classes) and by the time the obstacle class came around he was able to zip around at a tidy trot, but it definitely made me rethink his capability for trying a CDE. My easy entry is only about 150 lbs and I weigh about 120, but I'd definitely want a lighter vehicle for him to go any distance at speed as a single. I'd love to find a match to drive him pairs, but unfortunately a whole new cart and set of harness is not in the cards at the moment so for now I'll have to make do.
Here are a few pictures from our one and only show experience to date:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/BlueEyedPony/Duncanshow/Duncanshow16.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/BlueEyedPony/Duncanshow/Duncanshow9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/BlueEyedPony/Duncanshow/Duncanshow8.jpg

[hundredacres]

I asked this question on a large miniature horse forum...we have 2 registered mini's and we call them ponies all of the time, which offended the breeder. So I asked why the term "pony" was so offensive. I got 65 replies, and all but 2 replied *they are actually ponies....they all come from pony stock somewhere*
One woman (a breeder) explained that the term "Miniature Horse" was developed by a bunch of Shetland Breeders who were trying to revamp the declining Shetland image. She explained that it was marketing. I have no idea if that is valid or not.

To me...they're ponies. They are under 14.2 and even have a Shetland double mane. They're really, really small ponies :).

[Thomas_1]

To me...they're ponies. They're really, really small ponies :).

With you on that for definite. To me a falabella is a miniature horse and other than that they're ponies no matter what height they are.

[hobbyhorse23]

"What makes a Falabella so special?" They're just one particular Argentinian bloodline of miniature horse. :confused: Either they're all small ponies, or they're all miniature horses! :grin: No sense singling one bloodline out.

Leia

[MySparrow]

I do believe in minis, I do believe in minis, I do believe in minis, I do believe....

[Thomas_1]

In fact I'd never call anything a "Mini" - unless it had 4 wheels on it!

I'd actually say either pony or horse.
They're just one particular Argentinian bloodline of miniature horse
But if I was referring to a "miniature horse" I'd be very specifically talking about a purebred falabella. Likewise I'd explain a Falabella by saying its a miniature horse. My understanding of the falabella is that it is a miniature horse in that it has the horse proportions of cannon bone etc of a horse in miniature rather than as a pony which has the shorter cannon bone. I know it has other anatomical peculiarities as well as clearly its purpose bred from a source stallion from Argentina that was throwing such traits - such as fewer ribs but its the only one I'd say was a miniature horse and that is why it looks like a tiny t/b or arab rather than a pony.

As far as I'm concerned anything else that is under 14.2hh and known NOT to be such as a small purebred horse breed (e.g. small arab) is just a pony.

[Annetta]

Sorry, I'm with Leia when she asks what is so special about Falabellas? Now I haven't seen a lot of fallabellas, but most of the ones I have seen have been every bit as short and stumpy as many of the old type Minis that Thomas is putting down.

Didn't I read somewhere awhile ago that some of the Falabellas were actually off of Shetlands that were exported to Argentina from the US?

Many of the B sized Minis of today (as well as a number of the A sized ones) are in my view much more horse-like in proportion than the falabellas I have seen.

[Reynard Ridge]

Even though he was a panter, we always cleared the vet box with flying colors.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Yes, and he complains MIGHTILY about my driveway. Panting indeed - I'm afraid he's going to pass out. Although, he does weigh a bit more these days, doesn't he? ;)

I do love looking at those photos. What a lovely individual he is. :yes:

[KellyS]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Yes, and he complains MIGHTILY about my driveway. Panting indeed - I'm afraid he's going to pass out. Although, he does weigh a bit more these days, doesn't he? ;)


Don't let him fool you--he's a tough little critter. ;) The panting is more of a mental thing--and the more people around to feel sorry for him, the worse it is. He knows how to milk it. :D

Our solution at CDEs--apple sauce in the vet box. He'd get so busy slurping it down that he'd forget to pant and voila, his respiration would be perfectly normal. It's all about outthinking the thinking pony. :lol:

[LostFarmer]

KellyS you are a hell of a lot smarter than I am if you can out smart a pony!! :D

LF

[KellyS]

KellyS you are a hell of a lot smarter than I am if you can out smart a pony!! :D

LF

Hehe...well the apple sauce idea come from a fellow pony competitor, so we pony people have to stick together. :D Pony psychology 101. Hey, that would make a great book--how 'bout it RR? :winkgrin:

[Reynard Ridge]

:lol: I would be the last person suited to write a book on Pony Psychology, although mine could certainly write a book about human psychology. :yes:

I will say the Wee Spotted Drama Boy was the picture of Happy Ponyhood as we were trotting down the road yesterday and people stopped to take his picture. See camera, smile for camera! :lol:

[Thomas_1]

.....every bit as short and stumpy as many of the old type Minis that Thomas is putting down. .
Hey??? where did I do that??

[LostFarmer]

I will say the Wee Spotted Drama Boy was the picture of Happy Ponyhood as we were trotting down the road yesterday and people stopped to take his picture. See camera, smile for camera! :lol:

My ponies are the same way. They love attention. I put the bells on last night and they seemed to really pick it up. They love to make the bells ring. If we stand for very long talking to a nieghbor along the roadside, my mare gives a whole body shake to ring the bells. She then turns to look at the person with the horse grin equivalent as if to say, "ain't I cool."

Where are the pictures of this wee spotted one with the 48 orphan puppy equivalents?

LF

[goeslikestink]

a falabella is a miniture horse ---

a shetland is a shetland have to say one thats in phots looks a x shetland not a full shetland

a full shetland is chunky and big about 10.2hh

a miniture shetalnd is upto 40inches
they are tiny --but not a falabella as they are different in looks and size

a friend of a freind breeds minture shetlands of about 38inches
and a matey in a local livery has leonardo hes a falabella and i can tell you he looks like a horse and not a pony for one thing his mane is sleek and tail sleek like a tbs -- andnot big puffy mane like a shetties is


i did have a big sheland blue and white that stood at 10.2hhs

i have got a welsh sec a at 11.2hh a welsh sec b at 12.2hhs and welsh x dales at 13.1hhs and a welsh cob sec d at 14.2hh

also did have a welsh sec c x tb at 15.3 his mother was the welsh c at 13.3hh cob

apony of unknown heriatage -- under 14.2hhs is a pony - above unkwown is a horse

a mini is a falabella --- or a miniture shetland --

we dont say mini -- we say pony - shetland -- a mini to us is a falabella

otherwise its a pony -- as in pony

[bear133]

Now I will probably horrify everyone by confessing that I drive miniature donkeys! I believe that they are also classed as VSE & are permitted to compete. So far I have only driven them for pleasure & once at a donkey show but they are a lot of fun & someday I may aspire to compete in a combined driving event if only to show what they can do!

[Thomas_1]

My definitions are precisely the same as goeslikestinks which is hardly surprising as we're in the same country.

Now I will probably horrify everyone by confessing that I drive miniature donkeys!I'd call that a small ass ;) :yes: :lol:

[DairyQueen2049]

Here's a couple of pics of him in action:

Dressage: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1373735254055731734XppkXb
Marathon: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1373736959055731734dBydFG
In the line-up at Garden State CDE in 2005: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1342690970055731734vbOwQE

He was the smallest Prelim pony, but placed 3rd out of 17 in the marathon and 5th overall.

Had to flip through all your pics - WOW! what a nice driving pony this one is! (I'm not a driver, but really enjoyed the pictures!!)
Thanks for sharing!

[sporthorselover]

dear lord,

i watched the video of Thumbelina and it made me ill. the horse is going to founder any second! and can they please learn how to put a halter on so it fits correctly! just punch a couple more holes in the crown piece!

poor little horsie, pony, whatever.

she's in need of rescue.

[bear133]

Everyone here will probably horrified but I drive miniature donkeys! They are registered Miniature Meditteranean Donkeys & are allowed to be up to 36" tall. They are fairly stocky in build & are quite strong for their size. I drive them for pleasure & also have competed in donkey shows but I understand that they are allowed in the VSE division in combined driving events in this area so hopefully one day I will try that if only to show what they can do!

[hobbyhorse23]

Sporthorselover, Thumbelina is a dwarf and NOT a good representative of the miniature horse breed. Part of dwarfism is a very large belly, roach back, etc. etc. I haven't seen her latest videos because honestly the dwarves make me too sad, but she wasn't overweight in the original one I did see.

Leia

[goeslikestink]

maybe we dont call them mini as we ahve more natives around uk

darkmoor exmoor, fell and dales and hackney
shetland welsh A B C D -- new forest

bigger ones which are drafts to usa
are shire clysdale suffolk punch

tb cleveland bay -- hunter --

if you include ireland connimara and irish draft

think thst its of the top of me head

maybe becuase we have more ponies and native breeds
we say shetland -- pony -- or horse -- or natives which relates to natives -- as they are cold blooded --

[KellyS]

Had to flip through all your pics - WOW! what a nice driving pony this one is! (I'm not a driver, but really enjoyed the pictures!!)
Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the kind compliments! He is a very neat pony and has been officially dubbed the "wee spotted pony" by his new mom, our own Reynard Ridge. :) Gotta love the small, tough ponies who think they are 17 hands tall. :D