About to get my first mini!

I think that you are being very responsible, BeautyFoal, by taking advice without becoming defensive. It says a lot about your character and I'm impressed :)

Perhaps if you can't afford him, you could look into a local therapy center that you could volunteer at? That's how I got started with minis! Its a very rewarding job.

Petfinder certainly isn't the only option :P just do lots of googling. There are hundreds of minis being given free to good homes all around. You can check craigslist too- just be careful! Glad to hear you thinking this all through and doing the appropriate research - don't fall for scams. ^^

It's a little disheartening, but nothing to get defensive about. My boyfriend is willing to help me, but everything will be classified as a business expense since I do plan on becoming a trainer and utilizing the horse I get to gain money to help with some school expenses and the like.

I know of a few rescues in my area, Domino Effect, Critter Place, Ohanna Horse Rescue.. None of them a bright star in the news though for rescues. Plenty of drama lingers around each one. :/

Decided to do some searching to help you out
This little guy is freaking precious, but please be careful with Craigslist:
red and white paint mini horse

There's also this place which seems to be a more responsible breeder:
Miniature Horses, Tiny Miniature Pigs, American Bobtail cats for Sale


As for the rescues you've seen - regardless of their drama they could have good horses. I wouldn't discount a rescue just because of drama. There may even be ponies that need to be rescued from rescues ;) Don't get scammed, but be sure to shop around ^^

So glad to see you so open, again not trying to dissuade you - just very worried about this situation. I don't want to see you get screwed.

I feel like I'm being really picky!

I just spoke with domino effect and I looked through their adoption photos. None of them catch my eye, sadly. (but no doubt they all have great potential)

Am I being shallow for looking for a horse on looks?? I know I won't sell myself unless the horse and I "click"...

Being picky is NOT a bad thing!! You want to love your horse through and through - when I went looking for my mare I saw at least 30 horses before I saw her. I swear I saw her from the other side of the barn, having never seen a picture and said "that's the horse I'm taking home, whether it's the one in the ad or not - she's the one!" She was in a paddock with 2 other small black draft horses that looked very similar, but she was mine.

I don't think looking at photo's online will do the horses justice though - I think the best thing you can do is go spend some time with them, see if you can arrange some time to go groom some of the ones that look even a little enticing. Most rescues would really prefer you get to know the horse before just showing up and saying "I want the pretty one in the picture". Don't be sad if the first few aren't perfect. Just go to a bunch of different rescues or breeding farms (though I prefer rescues) and spend some time smothering love on some ponies - worst thing that happens is a pony gets a little more love than they would have :P I'm also sure the people at the rescues will help teach you about them, even if it's just little tips. People who rescue a certain variety of horses are typically the experts in what to and what not to look for.
I go to rescues for all my info, when I need help figuring out how to deal with a behavioral problem, or trouble with dietary issues or questions about anything reallly! I go to rescues and to this forum ^^

I'm very glad to hear you're doing so much research and really being prepared :) This little critter will be your friend for a great deal of time! You want him/her to be perfect <3

Do try to keep an open mind. While looks are great, they are only a small part of the whole picture. Often the minis that you will see are not in ideal condition or are young and gangly, and with love and care they will blossom into beautiful animals. My mare is a perfect example of that. She was ugly when I started working with her. She'd had the same halter on since she was 2 months old and it had rubbed all of the hair off of her nose and started growing into her skin (thankfully she has very little scarring and no one really notices) her feet were curled up and so long that she just sort of hopped everywhere, her coat was muddy and matted from not shedding right or being brushed, and she was in the middle of a growth spurt so her butt was way higher than the rest of her, she was rather ewe necked looking, and she was full of worms. As a four year old she still isn't ideal looking- her croup is flat, her head is rather big, and she's forever getting scratched up or pulling her mane out- but over all she's a very pretty little girl (though ofcourse, I'm biased xD) Some horses just need some TLC to work its magic on them.

Over all personality is what should win you over. Sour is lucky because she's pretty, so people put up with her horrible temperment. I love her to death but she's not the kind of horse that your average non-idiotic person would go for. Her attitude when you first meet her is just nasty! However, I could tell from the beginning that she was very smart, and its true. She LOVES to learn and that's really the only time that she enjoys being around me. When I'm teaching her to do something. A miniature with a lovable, curious smart personality is going to go much farther and bring much more joy than one that happens to be a fancy color or has perfect conformation.

(I'll just link the pictures if you want to see them to advoid spamming you with more Sour pictures if you don't want to see them xD)

UGLY as a two year old ;) and now as a four year old!


Like PunksTanks said, go out and just meet a few minis. You might fall in love, you might not. Heck, you might even do what she did- going to see one horse and falling in love with another! XD Expose yourself to many different animals of different backrounds, and you'll find one that you'll click with.

After some soul searching on google looking for local rescues and talking with a few friends. My friend can pasture board a mini for $75 or a full grown horse for 150$ not including grain (200$ including grain and weekly lessons)

I decided that for right now, my financial means, I can afford a mini but not a full grown horse. Not until I get a real job, anyway. (Or a sugar daddy but as if that'll happen lol) AND I've gotten off my foal high-horse (so to speak).. I had zero luck finding a foal and, with my luck, getting a mini won't come as soon as I anticipated.. thus losing out either way.

So I'm keeping my eyes peeled, I'm going to talk with the rescue and tell them to keep me updated on any mini's that come in or out.

I have my eyes on this little boy


http://www.facebook.com/dominoeffectrescueranch

He has the color mane and tail that I want and he's easy on the eyes. I'm going to get more information on him soon and possibly drop by to see him in person on Monday (Since the ranch is really close to my mom's place!)

((Btw I read all posts and look at all the pictures. Sorry I don't really respond in depth to all the posts. I feel a bit rude >_<))

He's stunning! Is he a stallion or was he recently cut though? He looks very...hormonal xD He looks like an absolutely babe though, and very full of himself!

Go take a look at him in person and ask questions :) its worth a try. He's very pretty and even if he isn't registered, he comes from a rescue and could make a VERY spiffy cart horse. He can start training right away, also- as he looks like an adult :)

I'm glad you're considering your options. Foals are great but not really for the first time owner unless you have a lot of experience with them, and a young or middle aged adult can be just as rewarding!

As for post length, don't worry about it! You aren't rude, I just tend to talk a lot ;)

I think he's a stallion. Yeah. 300 + gelding fee.
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