I've been browsing craigslist and other horse sales groups on facebook, and it appears that on every site there is always 1 or 2 people trying to sell multiple minis. These often include broodmares, stallions (pretty often) and foals that have little prospects for anything other than breeding. Very occasionally they are broke to drive, and yes this increases the value a little. The horse market is very bad I understand, and crazy breeders exist everywhere, but somehow there is a surplus of horses that are way too small to ride, not gelded and seemingly not for anything but breeding.
My respectful question is: Why do people breed minis? If it's for pets then why do we need more? Aren't there enough minis for everyone to have a pet? Is breeding a hobby and these smaller horses are preferred because they eat less hay? Are there competitions for minis where you can win money? Are there mini driving competitions where you can rank higher? I understand that these horses are very smart and can be trained to assist the disabled. However, there seems to be an obsession with breeding smaller and smaller animals. As they are bred to be smaller, how does this make them more useful as guide horses, cart horses, and to assist the disabled?
Can someone please explain this to me? I am dumb and not familiar with this industry!
My respectful question is: Why do people breed minis? If it's for pets then why do we need more? Aren't there enough minis for everyone to have a pet? Is breeding a hobby and these smaller horses are preferred because they eat less hay? Are there competitions for minis where you can win money? Are there mini driving competitions where you can rank higher? I understand that these horses are very smart and can be trained to assist the disabled. However, there seems to be an obsession with breeding smaller and smaller animals. As they are bred to be smaller, how does this make them more useful as guide horses, cart horses, and to assist the disabled?
Can someone please explain this to me? I am dumb and not familiar with this industry!