Thinking about getting a mini.

The biggest thing I tell people new to miniatures is they are HORSES not big dogs. They can do all the good or bad things a big horse does. To many times people treat them like a dog and get into trouble with their miniature. They can rear, bite, buck, kick and yes it does hurt. They have to be trained like any other horse. I cant tell you how many we have taken in and had to retrain because someone got one on a whim and when they found out it really is a horse couldnt wait to get rid of it :(

Really educate yourself on what good conformation is etc before you buy a horse and what you want to do with the horse in the future. Many start with an unregistered horse and then decide they want to try their hand at showing but cant because the horse is not papered. I also always recommend getting a gelding for your first mini :)

Good luck!

You guys are making me want a mini!
Just one question: Can you teach about any miniature horse to show jump? (like in-hand). I think that'd be sooooo so fun :)

Yeah, but just like any breed: not all will like it and want to do it, and not all are good at it :)

I have one who I've tried, but he says it's not his thing ;) I have another I had started small jumps with and he was doing well, then it got too hot here for me to spend much time outside (HATE summers in Az! LOL) but I will resume this fall :)

Ah yes, I can see that! Are minis pretty willing, or are they stubborn like ponies?

Im not expert but im pretty sure minis are just like horses but smaller. Every question asked about is the same as a horse question. They can jump, and they need the same kind of care as a horse. Theyre not dogs. Temperment depends. PONIES ARENT ALL STUBBORN. my pony is willing. it depends on the horse.

My ponies and my minis aren't stubborn ;)

I know mini and little ponies arent big dogs but my pony is prone to laminitis so dad has put him in the garden to give him a bit of grass that he cant get enough to get laminitis and just enough to keep him happy and ever since he has been in the garden with the dogs he really acts like them its so funny now!!

It all just depends on the horse ;) or mini!