Are minis a thing of the past?

[ozymandias]

It's been a long time since I've been on the MB and I noticed something that seems to have changed a lot since I was here last. Are miniature horses becoming a thing of the past? It seems that a huge percentage of the photos being posted now are of Shetlands. I don't show, breed or read the journals so I haven't been keeping up with things but at an initial glance it looks like there's a big movement towards the ponies. Or is it that I just happen to be catching up with things at a time people are posting their Shetlands?

They're very pretty by the way.

 

[Riverrose28]

Not sure how to answer this question, as sometimes I think yes, but then when I think about it, maybe not. AMHA is closing, so most of them will still be minis, although the shetland has been infused. Many don't want the minis to go. As far as AMHR, if you don't have the RECENT infusion of shetland it seems like the "JUST AMHR" horse doesn't place well anymore in the halter ring, performance is still good. I'm in the process of rehoming all my AMHR only horses, and hoping to add ASPC to several AMHR mares in the future. I love to show and havn't bred any mares for several years.

 

[Jill]

I sure don't think so

I actually think the huge popularity of the OVER size mini-ponies may spur on a renewed appreciation of NICE small miniatures. That's one reason our only addition in some time is a multi-National champion under 29" stallion who will be part of or breeding program

I think well made, A size minis are still the horse that almost everyone can enjoy

 

[ozymandias]

Thanks for the thoughtful answer Riverrose.

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

I dont think so, there are still plenty of us mini breeders that love the 34" and under horses and always will, all minis have some shetland breeding but some just more than others. We like shetlands and think they are pretty but they are not at all what we want to own and breed. All that matters is what an individual wants to see in their pasture everyday, I dont ever see the minis disappearing. I also want to add that we are still placing just fine with our AMHA/AMHR horses in the AMHR shows. They dont have to be shetland to have good conformation. I think what Jill said is well stated too.

 

[Sandee]

I believe that the 34" and under horse has it's place. However, IMO, the public is beginning to see the flash and movement of the bigger minis. It's way more exciting to sit behind a small Modern Shetland that measures in as a mini than it is to drive a 30 or 31" mini. I know others will disagree but that's my opinion.

And just for the record, I have both sizes and both have National Championships.

 

[HGFarm]

I dont think so at all- I dont see any reason why Minis would be a thing of the past... and I see plenty of posts here with Minis, not just Shetlands. I dont own any Shetlands and know MANY breeders that do not either- in many states.

 

[targetsmom]

If you refer to miniature horses in general, rather than number of registrations, I sure don't think minis are a thing of the past. I see the huge growth in Miniature 4-H Clubs in New England, minis popularity in driving clubs and American Driving Society events, their use in therapy programs and nursing home visits, and the aging of the population, and I see a great future. I do think that marketing strategies might need to be modified to reach potential new markets though.

 

[susanne]

.

miniature horse = small Shetland.

With or without ASPC papers, that's what the vast majority of mini bloodlines are. All that is happening is that breeders are refining the conformation and movement of those registered as minis, undoing some of the damage done by a small-at-all-costs mentality, and refusing to deny the mini's Shetland heritage, whether it be in recent or distant past.

.

 

[minisch]

I can see a dramatic move towards the larger minis and Shetlands. IMO I think the show people tried so hard for years to find and get the conformation that the larger "R's and Shetlands have. I'm also glad to see shows that have A,R and ASPC in the same weekend. Heck I love them all

 

[ozymandias]

If you refer to miniature horses in general, rather than number of registrations, I sure don't think minis are a thing of the past. I see the huge growth in Miniature 4-H Clubs in New England, minis popularity in driving clubs and American Driving Society events, their use in therapy programs and nursing home visits, and the aging of the population, and I see a great future. I do think that marketing strategies might need to be modified to reach potential new markets though.

Nothing so fancy I'm afraid. Just an observation after being off the MB for a while. I feel there are way more Modern Shetland types in some of the photo's I'm seeing than there were just a year ago. I was wondering if I was just seeing a rash of pictures being posted or if this is the new "trend".

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

I sure don't think so

I actually think the huge popularity of the OVER size mini-ponies may spur on a renewed appreciation of NICE small miniatures. That's one reason our only addition in some time is a multi-National champion under 29" stallion who will be part of or breeding program

I think well made, A size minis are still the horse that almost everyone can enjoy

This guy is welcome in my barn ANYTIME!! Gorgeous! (or is that HANDSOME?)

That said, I'm actually going the OTHER way and selling my AMHR/ASPC for AMHR/AMHA horses.

 

[Lizzie]

I think there will always be a place, for fanciers of the 34" and under. The quality is improving all the time, by those responsible breeders, who sincerely have the good of the breed at heart.

I do hope however, that poorly bred, unregistered Minis, do become a thing of the past. Don't see it happening at the moment, though.

Lizzie

 

[ruffian]

I think there's been a step change in miniatures over the last say 10 years. Or even 5 years. More Shetlands coming into AMHR, especially in the "B" size. Even in the smaller miniatures there is more refinement and better movement. But IMO there is still lots of interest in the Miniature Horse, and it's not going anywhere soon. One thing I wanted to add is that it was mentioned that AMHA is closing - actually they are closing their "books," so you will no longer be able to hardship a horse into AMHA. They are not closing their doors.

 

[Carolyn R]

I may get flamed for this, but what I have seen in the past several years as many of the great names in mini's have crossed the rainbow bridge is that no one has or will ever take the spotlight like they did. While there is still a select market for the A size mini's, and it seems just when people were getting really excited about large A and small B size in the AMHR, they have done a 180 degree turn around towards the larger mini's and Shetland registered equines.

What I find to be the saddest thing is there is no one that is in the spotlight and remains in the spotlight, being shown year after year, being marketed and promoted like some of the names in the past. It just seems that some of the gusto is gone, the flames have died down and maybe one day there will be a few names that ring out in the smallest of the small equine world, a name that stays in the spotlight longer than a couple of years, a name that is shown and promoted for a long time rather than retiring to the breeding shed once it hits 3 or 4 years of age because it already has its titles. Maybe one day.......

 

[horsehug]

Thank you Susanne! So many times I want to jump in and say what you just said!

Susan O.

 

[MindyLee]

Yes and No. Seems like many show folks are switching to shetlands but many new folks want minis. Problem is, the minis have decreassed in value a lot. Ive seen so many AMHA/AMHR or minis 34" under all over the country go for way below fair prices. But shetlands also in some parts go way below a fair price as well. It only depends on whos selling the top named mini or shetland at the time to bring in good $$$ now of days, otherwise so many herd reductions or sell outs. Horses, minis/ponies are like kittens now of days, a dime a dozen.

 

[Jill]

This guy is welcome in my barn ANYTIME!! Gorgeous! (or is that HANDSOME?)

Thanks

 

[Jill]

Nothing so fancy I'm afraid. Just an observation after being off the MB for a while. I feel there are way more Modern Shetland types in some of the photo's I'm seeing than there were just a year ago. I was wondering if I was just seeing a rash of pictures being posted or if this is the new "trend".

"Ozy", it doesn't seem like all that long ago at all that you were here regularly as "miniwhinny".

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I think if AMHR only breeders or even AMHA/AMHR breeders continue to breed for better quality miniatures there will always be a market. There are many who don't want the Shetland influence and as long as we don't take a step back and continue to breed for better then people will still want them. That also includes people not giving into the Shetland influence, and continue to breed for what you like and not whats trending in the show ring.

I only have AMHR registered minis, one is A/R, I even bought a AMHR B size mare this year.

It will also help if the AMHR/ASPC continue to support the miniature horse and not give so much incentives for the miniature Shetland, like this new rule that will be voted again at Convention to allow them to crossover at the same show.