Are there any other people here

[KanoasDestiny]

It seems as if everyone here shows in one form or another. I was just curious to whether there are any people here that don't show (I often feel like a minority). If so, what do you do with your minis? (Train to ride, enter parades, go to elderly homes or hospitals, or just let your horse...be just a horse?) I'm curious because I would like to do "something", I'm just not sure what it is yet. I'm not very competitive, so showing is most likely out. Maybe I'll just open up a small-horse petting zoo for the neighborhood kids, haha. Please share whatever it is that makes up your horses daily life.

 

[clpclop]

I have 2 mares, a filly and a colt now and they are just pets. People always ask us..."what do you do with them?" Our stock answer is..."what do you do with your dogs?" We play with them, groom them, take them for walks and take them on the occasional adventure. And something you can't do with your dog is... enter them in the local homecoming parade and take them to the neighborhood kid parties and carnivals! They don't bark, they don't chase cats and they've never pooped or lifted their legs to pee on everything when taking a walk.

They don't jump all over you and lick you. They whinny at you and nuzzle you.

We enjoy them on a daily basis, just being part of the family.

 

[Mona]

: Yep, I own a small herd, and no, I no longer show. I did show a little the first couple of years, but for the few "local" shows that I had to drive hours and hours to get to, it just wasn't worth the hassle. Now I just admire them and love on them, out in the pasture. As you say, I am just letting my horses be horses. I don't drive, or do anything else with them either. I do love to share them/show them off to visitors that come to see them!

 

[KanoasDestiny]

I think that is a wonderful response. I haven't gotten my filly yet, but I always tell everyone that I am getting a big dog that neighs :lol: . Only, I pray that she will be better behaved then my two rambuncious boys (dogs).

:

My husband was thinking about maybe entering her in this years Halloween parade and I would love for her to be. But when thinking about it further, I remember the following years and how many people in the audience bring their pit bulls with them. I have this fear that one may get loose and try to get her. So no decisions have been made yet on it.

I am guessing that she will probably just end up my new best friend and companion. Hubby's being replaced, haha

Edited to add..Mona, I have a feeling that I will be getting quite a few visitors as well. As far as I know, there is only one other family in my town that has miniature horses. Whenever I tell people that I am getting one, they say 'Oh, like the ones on "so and so" street?'. It's funny that that's the only way they know what I'm talking about.

 

[SWA]

We haven't shown our in years...but it's not for lack of "want".

: Just have been having so many other priorities to tend to. We have done and still do lots of those "other activities" you've listed for things to do with them though.

:

We do hope to get back into showing sometime, once time and abilities permit for it again.

:

 

[luvmycritters]

People always ask us..."what do you do with them?" Our stock answer is..."what do you do with your dogs?" We play with them, groom them, take them for walks and take them on the occasional adventure. And something you can't do with your dog is... enter them in the local homecoming parade and take them to the neighborhood kid parties and carnivals! They don't bark, they don't chase cats and they've never pooped or lifted their legs to pee on everything when taking a walk. They don't jump all over you and lick you. They whinny at you and nuzzle you.

[SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]

Good thread Sarah and great response Clipclop. I had my mini stallion in the local parade last summer and he was a hit! I never thought I would have just as much fun ( if not more ) walking a mini - then riding a full sized horse! I plan on doing the same again this summer. ( I was in a local parade yesterday - Memorial day - and it was sooo hot - in the ninetys or better - yikes. ) One day I would like to take at least one of my mini's for nursing home visits - but no horse trailer so that wont be happening any time soon.

Lori

 

[kdbj]

I have pretty much hung up my "showing" duds also. My heart was never really in it, nor am I the least bit competitive! I drive one of my mini's at the occasional local parades, we also have here in Wisconsin events such as "Brunch on the Farm", our mini horse club always sets up there and 2 or 3 of us give mini horse cart rides, its always a big hit. My mini's are just loveable, huggable pets. There love, like alot of pets, is unconditional and thats the best part. One of my other favorite things about mini's is their personalities, I own 5 adult mini's plus 3 babies born within the last month and each and every one of them has their own unique personality, I love that!

: Sometimes I get tired of "defending" my reasons for owning mini's!?

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

There is os much you can do with them besides showing and many who show also do other things as well.

ONe thing though to remember I think? I remember you saying you lived in a apartment? If so make sure you have some kind of insurance coverage in case some one gets bit, kicked ect it can happen with even the best of horses.

 

[chandab]

I just got into minis last year (January 2005); I now have a 2-year old stallion, 3 year old mare and two yearling fillies. My plan is to train them to drive and just have fun with them. There are no shows close. Last year, I took my oldest filly to the Exceptional Rodeo, an event for adults and children with disabilities; it was a lot of fun and she was a hit. I hope to take them to the few local parades in the area.

I did show several years ago in 4-H and local shows during high school and college, but it's just not my thing, I really don't enjoy it, it's too stressful for me.

 

[FairytailGlennMinis]

I think I have done two shows in the last four years, so I guess that might as well be not showing. lol I have my five as pets and they come out to play with friends kids and we just have fun with them. I drive when I have a chance and we roam all over the place, up and down hills, across a creek--our version of trail rides. Other than that they are just pasture ornaments.

-Amy

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Luv...I too would love to get into going to convelescent homes someday. But for the time being, my filly will be young and I don't have a trailer, so that is not an option. Perhaps someday...because I would love to help others in some way.

SWA and KDBJ, I can see why showing wouldn't necessarily be for everyone or that other things would take priority over it. I myself will admit, I am tight with my money. PLEASE don't misunderstand my meaning of that! I have money and I am more than willing to spend money for vet, farrier, food, etc. BUT, I would rather buy my animals new toys or special things or save for a rainy day, then to spend $100's on a show that I may or may not place in. I guess my point is... for ME, I would rather save my money then spend it on something that I know my heart isn't into. Make since?

Good memory Lisa. It's an apartment, but it isn't a complex. It's actually a duplex, I live on one side with my husband (in APT B) and my mom and 17 year old brother live on the other side (APT A). We have two other tiny single apartments behind us (about 100 feet or alittle more). It's complicated to explain but I have my own front and back yard. I will be boarding her over at my neighbor's home which sits on two acres. She is an elderly lady and doens't have too much company, so I am hoping that Zoey will not hurt anyone nor will she be bothered by lots of other people, unless I have her over in my front yard and she can be monitored. But that is an excellent suggestion.

 

[disneyhorse]

You certainly don't have to show to enjoy your horse(s)!!!

I do show, but only because I find it challenging and entertaining and a good social outlet. I don't have a farm to promote, I don't breed and show horses with my farm name, and I am not out to try to have the next cutting-edge National Champion.

My horses are mainly my pets. Even if I did not show, I would have a horse or two always because they are my hobby. I spend HOURS per day down at the barn where I board, not just caring for my horses but the other ones down there as well. I simply enjoy cleaning stalls and throwing hay. Horses can consume YEARS of your life in bathing, brushing, feeding, exercising, and just sitting and watching them play. Any horse person or animal person who truly loves them is completely devoted to them. That's why we never have time or money for anything else in our lives.

I don't feel that the "people who show their horses" is a majority by any stretch.

Andrea

 

[Jill]

I owned minis for 4 years before starting to show them, and big horses even longer without ever showing. I can honestly say I was just as "horse happy" back then as I am now. There are so many fun and rewarding things to do with minis and showing is only one of them and isn't something everyone would enjoy.

 

[Marty]

My heart was in it for a number of years, but not anymore. There were many years where I lived for the ring. I don't do parades, nursing home visits, nothing. And eventually if I drive, it will just be for my own pleasure here on the farm. I'm very busy working from home and in the family business, just hacking out a living and doing my thing. I don't show for a number of reasons, call it burn out. It just doesn't excite me anymore. I guess my drive and competitive spirit is gone.

I have everything I need: the clippers, tons of blades, the show halters, the show horses, the clothes, the new trailer, I'll proabably sell that big trailer because I don't need it, but I guess I just don't wanna show or I'd be out there by now. I don't think I realized it till I went to the TN show last weekend and it reminded me of how much preparation there really is and I looked around at all the showers working themselves so hard and said to myself, Oh Lord, I can't do this anymore.

Showing to me means tons of work, tons of training, getting up in the wee hours of the morning to load up, traveling all over the place, spending money that I could use somewhere else, and of course there are some politics. I really hate the heat and having to be sweating to death in the clothes. I'm tired of it. ........I'm really just done with it all.

I really am so happy here just bathing, training, clipping and doing the general care involved. A day without cleaning stalls would be a very empty day for me. I love raising these foals. They are fulfilling a void that I didn't even know I had. I love being up here alone where I'm out of the loop, where I don't know nothing about anything and anybody.

Guess you can say I'm just content with what I do here with no interference.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Wow Marty...I had no idea that you didn't show. I thought because you have so much knowledge, that you still showed. I guess thats why it is wise to ask and not assume huh? That should be such an important thing to learn in life.

Your post did make me think though. For those of you who don't show, how far do you take the conditioning of your horses? Is there any lounging, or anything? I never really put too much thought to doing that, just maybe going for walks (because "I" need the exercise.

: ).

Chandab...I LOVE the idea of the Exceptional rodeo. I wish that we had things like that in my town. That is something I would love to get involved with, being that I used to work with young children with a variety of disabilities and I know that animals can get through to them, plus they seem to just love them. Wow, I am so envious.

 

[McBunz]

I showed Doberman Pinschers for years and not at all interested in showing my horses.

:

 

[Marty]

I thought because you have so much knowledge, that you still showed.

Thanks for the compliment but I don't have half the knowledge in miniatures that I wish I did or even close. I'm always picking someone's brain. I research things atleast 4 nights a week on just about everything and now I like learning bloodlines since I'm only a novice in breeding minis so that has captivated my interest.

For conditioning I round pen sometimes but I really love walking on the back trails with Nick when the snakes aren't out. Hiking is fun and you can't believe what it does for a gut full of Subways and Big Macs. When Nick was little, he loved it. I used to pack us a little lunch and picnic with him in the woods. Try backpacking.

 

[Marnie]

I didn't take time to read the other responses, I will later. I just want to ad my two cents worth. I think this is a good thread because so many do show and some of those show people do think that people that don't show have crappy horses or that something is wrong with them because they don't show, I get sick of that attitude and it confirms the fact that I don't want to ever show. Here's my little story. I don't show, I never have, I've never wanted to, I couldn't care less about it although I do love to look at the show pictures and would like to attend a show if one was within a couple hours from me but from what I hear about the politics and the costs, who needs it, not me. We farm, I can't drive for hours to get to a show, I can't be gone over night, I need to be here. But some of my horses are being shown and that makes me happy. Now what we do with our minis, I raise some foals each yr to sell, I do love the babies and try hard to place them in good homes. We take them to nursing homes and schools quite often and we drive our minis just for the fun of it. So many people stop in and just bring the kids or themselves, alot of folks sit out on the road and watch them, we're pretty proud of our minis and I think they're wonderful creatures.

 

[SWA]

SWA and KDBJ, I can see why showing wouldn't necessarily be for everyone or that other things would take priority over it. I myself will admit, I am tight with my money. PLEASE don't misunderstand my meaning of that! I have money and I am more than willing to spend money for vet, farrier, food, etc. BUT, I would rather buy my animals new toys or special things or save for a rainy day, then to spend $100's on a show that I may or may not place in. I guess my point is... for ME, I would rather save my money then spend it on something that I know my heart isn't into. Make since?

Oh, I wasn't misunderstanding, LOL!

: I was just explaining for myself why we haven't shown ours, LOL! Like you, other things more important to "us" have just always taken precedence within our means and abilities.

:

I, myself, have never shown period, before, LOL. (Outside of just for fun shows, but I've never shown in any AMHR or AMHA shows.) Any sanctioned shows we've ever had ours in, were always shown by our son back when he was little. He's all grown up now, and on to his own endeavors in life.

:

EDITED: Correction to my above statement, I have shown, but all my experience was with "biggies" (QH's), before we were "in minis". My only experience with showing minis was with coaching our son and his friends in our 4H Club, after first going to several local mini shows to observe what little "how to's" of it we could pass on to the kids.

If in the off chance down the road though, if opportunity and abilities permit for it sometime, I would like to show though. Perhaps mainly in some of the driving type classes though. Especially ROADSTER! As those would be most fun for "me" to try my hand at. (We've race our horses, and I think they would be awesome in trying for showing roadster!) :aktion033:

Plus, I'm not much up for the "leg work" for those inhand classes.

: If any in hand classes happened for us, it would likely be if any of my nieces or nephews wanted to show...or if we could ever afford a trainer sometime to show for us.

: All "pending" the spare change for it though, LOL.

I would like to give it a go sometime, before I can rule wether my heart would like to "stay" with it or not, LOL. Just to see if I would like it for some "me" fun now and then.

No matter if we ever make it to a show ring though, as I already know where my heart takes me with them regardless, LOL. Hence, (like you), THOSE are the ones that have always taken precedence,

: above ever showing.

:

So it would have to be some mighty spare time/money for me to devote of both to showing, LOL. I just look at as "something" I'd like to try sometime, if ever abilities permit sometime, LOL. If not, I'm most happy with doing what little we can do.

:

 

[RAPfrosty]

I do not show. I got out of big horses because everything was just too competition focused so I'm not really ready or into the showing (atleast for now). I love just hanging out with my horse, brushing him, walking him around, watching him play and graze in the field. He just turned two the other day so I'm planing on starting some very basic driving training on him (in other words I plan to have him trained to drive in the future). I really would love to take him to a nursing home or parade or party in the future aswell. I think that would be a lot of fun

. Good luck finding fun things to do with your horsies!