Do you have a mini mentor?

[Candleliteranch]

My mini mentor is KAREN pf Little Wee Horse Farm! I'm always pestering her with questions from color to colic and she always helps me out. thank you Karen! I'm so proud to call you my friend

 

[Jill]

Erica Killion!

 

[OhHorsePee]

Kay! She has been a great help and a great friend. She is more knowledgable then what she gives herself credit for! Getitia is also very knowledgable! She wigs me out knowing so much of each and every one of her horses backgrounds, pros and cons, everything about them and she has a lot of horses!

Fran

 

[mizbeth]

Hi

First let me say this! When I first got into miniature horses I was told that these little horses are just like the big ones! Require the same care, etc. Well let me say this - to that! My experience prior to miniature horses, with the big ones. They never got sick, they never coliced, I did not have broodmares or foaling issues. We had many many horses we used on our cattle ranch. Injuries yes some, sickness never.

My Mentor when I first started with these miniatures was Kathleen Sullivan (KAT), of Six Gems Farms. I cannot tell you the knowledge she has and has shared with me the first years with these little guys. We talked each day and several times a day. She referred me to this LB Forum site.

Others that have helped: Tony Greaves, Jim Curry, Becky Shultz, Margie Wood, MiniV, an "ole cowboy-horse trader named VIC" and lots of old timers from this forum that rarely post any more. (whose names escape me at this moment.) Other breeders, trainers have taught me a lot, and patience from my LYN!

But like every thing you do in life, there will be ones that make a powerful impact on your lives, either positive or negative. Hopefully all the positive experience will outweight the bad ones. Opinions, you will always get plenty of those. Please try to find the most successful people in the field you need answers for, and follow the advise of the one you feel most comfortable with. Whether it is your vet, friend, fellow breeder or other business and its related information.

This forum provides a MOST VALUABLE service to those of us who need and want it! You can never know too much. I can learn from each and every one who posts here.

Beth

 

[Becky]

Wow, Beth, thanks for the kind words! I'm always here to help and answer any questions if I can.

My mentors for miniature horses were David and Lynn McBride. They are now divorced and no longer breeding miniatures (Lynn actually still has a few), but I learned more from them through the 90's than anybody else. I might not always agree with them, but they were a wealth of information.

And of course, I'm still learning! Wtih technology changing daily, there is much to learn regarding feeding, breeding, training and showing. I hope I never stop learning!

 

[Kim Rule]

Oh my, who's my mentor?

Well, Nila was there to tell me that Bilbo was a mini, not a shetland, and she introduced me to LilBeginnings! I also bought a mini from her.

I went to my first show with Lisa (RuffNTuff), and she and Raven introduced me to the fun of showing.

Lisa encourages me to think about what it is that I want to do with my horses...she makes me think about my goals...and encourages me to try new things...like CDE.

I have so many friends who are so helpful here...I really love that about living in Idaho!

Kim R.

 

[whitney]

GINIA!

 

[maryann]

Wow thanks Short and Sassy I am honored but shocked.

We have had many mentors over the years. Started with Sharon and Mark of Cadle Creek farm. Rika from Mt Airey, Gail and Richard from Silver Meadows in Fl. Karen(Minimomnc) is my paperwork mentor. All of the members of our club, East Coast Miniature Horse Club have mentored us in one way or another and of course all of you here on the forum. Everyone seems to bond together when there is a serious question about our minis. Just want to say thanks to those that make this forum possible. Maryann

 

[Winchester Farms]

without a doubt Robin R. from TrueJoy Miniatures. she has ALWAYS been there for me - even 3:00 in the morning! she has taught me sooo much and is the nicest person you'll ever meet!!!!

 

[Tammie]

My mentor and VERY BEST friend is Donna King of Menagerie Miniatures. She is such a wonderful and knowledgable person and is always willing to help. She only came into my life a few years ago when I was helping my mom on her quest to buy her first mini and we visited Donna's farm. Donna is very special to me and I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything!

Tammie~

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

WOW-Roxy, thank you and Jim for all the very kind words.

I just dont want anyone to start out like I did, thinking minis were just like my standard size horses, and having no one to talk to, and those that did know were so unwilling to share. Just want you (and anyone else) to know I am always here for you, and no question is a dumb question..we were all beginners at one time

, and the only way to learn is by asking. and I still am and have a ton to learn

Thanks again, Corinne

 

[Narrow Way Farm]

I feel we have alot of people that help me along the way..we have people on here and on another board that we frequent that are always there if we have a question that needs answered. I think having the basic horse knowledge of growing up and showing Quarter horses my whole life helped a great deal.. But when it comes to our minis we still have so much to learn.. I think the closest people we have as mentors that I can call or email or go to would be Bill & Wanalynn of WW Miniatures... in the few years we have known them they have been the best horsey friends you could ask for... if we had any questions they are always their to help!!!

Thanks Bill & Wanalynn for always being there for us!!!!

 

[Frankie]

I've got to say mine has switched from time to time. Depending on our area, their area and what is going on.

Brenda Plass for sure was the first and one of the best. She always tells me how it is, not what I want to hear and I appreciate that a lot.

Phoebe Kerby & Lisa G. helped a ton when I was showing Tango last year. Phoebe can be my back up vet too!

Connie B. is my sounding board and lord knows we all need one of those.

Pretty much this entire board,,,,,,,,and for sure the members of the Mid America Miniature Horse Club.

 

[GREENWOODMINIS]

Ahhhhh, Carolyn...you are a sweetheart

!! Thank you...that makes my day!

You do a great job showing your horses...and, has the most fun of any person I know!! And, you know I love Chris...what a doll-baby!!

I can't wait to hang out with ya at the shows again!!!!!

hugs,

lis

 

[SWA]

I tried to post this, and there must have been a glitch at that moment, with changing the new board, LOL! :new_shocked:

TOO COOL! :lol: I like the new....so far.

:

I have just a few mentors…

:

Ginny Long of Critter Creek Mini Farm & Tony Greaves of Little America. I have asked their opinions of many things over my brief years in the breed. Through them, I am always met with honest opinions too, and always pleasantly willing with every response. If ever I do get to a point in life where I might can “shop†again…Sandii, Ginny & Tony are the three “Mini-Folk Brains†that I most definitely will turn to.

Among mentoring in friendship among “mini-folkâ€, there are four of the dearest to me, that I will always cherish and adore, JoAnn Stanton of Blue Diamond Minis, Susan O’Berg of Hilliard Horses To Hug, and also my “adopted mom and sisâ€, Dorothy Broadhead of A Touch of Wyoming, and Jenny Shea of Terra Star Ranch. Over the years, these four have mentored in friendship in such a way to me that always leaves my heart so very filled. Even through the lowest of lows in my life, I know I can trust and count on their encouraging friendship, everlasting. God bless their generous and unconditional giving hearts!!!

Many more recent mini-folk friendships that I’ve come to love, trust and rely are Judy Turley of Sundance Farm, Stephanie Driver of Mini Drivers Farm, Teresa Shackleford of Double T Jack Russels & Minis, Brenda Ferrar of Eastwind Farm, Becky Radford of RNR, Beth of RebelsHope, Loretta Lynn, and Ellen McGee of Arabian Reflections. These people have given me so much love in friendship, I will treasure them always!

Among Trick Horse training of my minis, I have two very special mentors. They are by far, both MOST DEAR to me, Howard Small, and Carole Fletcher. Both of them, have helped me immensely with learning how to trick train, and through that, they’ve bestowed their mentoring inspirations of so much more than they may ever truly know!!!! Both have my undying love, respect and gratitude for so very much!!!

With regard to the new sport of Mini Harness Racing..there are Jim and Arlyn Storey of Fort Storey Ranch. They've taught me so much, and have been kind and encourageing mentors to my son, Dustin, over the years too. He simply adores them, and thinks the world of Jim especially. He always says he can't wait till the day he can race with Jim again like he did as a child a few years ago, back when they came to race with us in Maine. “Jim’s COOL, and a lot of fun!â€, is what he always carries with him in reminiscent of those days.

With regard to mentoring the learning of historical facts of the American Shetlands and the originations of the Trottingbred breed, both among the sport of Harness Racing, there is just one. My very dearest friend and Mentor, Howard Small. Our introductions in the beginning of our friendship was basically just to learn how to race our minis, way back when other “priorities†in life were in the forefront. Through the evolution of our friendship in that regard though, in conjunction with “life’s happenings†that evolved afterward…he became so much more to me and my family than just a mere learning source of the sport of harness racing & trick training. His non-judgmental, unconditional and encouraging friendship through some of life’s greatest hardships dealt our way, has given us so much hope through it all. So much so, that it’s become a path in life for us to want to just share that very element by striving to forever “pay it forward†however possible life provides the means for us to do so.

And through that new “quest†in life over these past 5 years or so, we’ve been further blessed with endearing mentors such as Pastor Stockwell and Mr. Jack Levine, both of the Christian Harness Horseman’s Association, from among the “Standardbred Folksâ€.

Other SB Folks that I’ve come to cherish and adore, are first and foremost, Janis Jones and Don Daniels. I’ve learned so much from them with historical facts of the sport itself, as well as learning of the historical lineages of the SB breed. Don, among the SB World, is the one I will always fondly refer to as the equal to what Mary Lou is to the Mini-Folk World. Their internet compilations of invaluable resources to the breed, an ever growing, and hopefully everlasting treasure to both breeds.

In our continued efforts to stay in racing activities after our turn of events in life that brought us back to Florida, from Maine…we’ve met some of Howard Small’s longtime friends among the Trottingbred folks here in Florida, who we have looked forward to visiting with every year’s Trottingbred Racing season since. People who we have likewise, grown to love, cherish, adore, respect and greatly admire.

<Happy Sighs> With these most special people in my life… LIFE IS SO GOOD!!!!! :lol:

 

[Marty]

I have a few mini mentors and I'll name three of them and hope they don't clobber me for it.

Carol Albritton

Lisa ruffntuff

Lori Lancaster Magic Mist

And I will NEVER buy another horse without them looking at it I promise you that.

 

[Teedee]

Where do I start.. I have a group that our my friends first and my mentors second that we email each other daily. I it not uncommon to have 150 emails a day. . We discuss everything and I have learned so much

about their over all horse knowledge. They are all awesome. I won't put their last names because I don't have permission but they know who they are.. You show stalkers.

Jennifer

Susan

Judy

Tami

Laurie

Lisa

Luwana

Thanks for all their help and friendship!

Tammi

 

[Sunny]

I've been blessed with several mentors during my time with the minis, but one of them, especially, stands out and shines. Sandra Guy-Fox. From the day Karen B. introduced me to her at Midland a few years ago, Sandy has taught me more than any other individual. And now, as I'm preparing to become a carded judge, she is sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge about judging with me as willingly as she taught me about showing. I have the utmost respect for her, and I'm so grateful to count her among my friends but, even moreso, honoured that she considers me her friend.

I'm a little reluctant to share this news publicly, but I do so only because Sandy needs all the prayers and support she can get right now. Her dearly beloved mother passed away yesterday after a long and terrible illness. The funeral will be on Saturday. Please say a prayer of support for Sandy and her family.

 

[sedeh]

This is a great thread! First you have to think about who has helped you through the years and then get to thank them! I'm also a people watcher and have no problems asking questions and I pick up a lot at shows and when I go to other people's farms. The one who got me into mini's, helped me pick out my wonderful breeding "base" and has helped me tremendously at shows(I have never shown halter!) is my best friend and show buddy, Kathi Donnell (wcr) of Wards Creek Ranch. If not for her I don't think I would have gotten into mini's and learned what awesome critters they are! Another mentor is Michelle Sharrock of Wesco Farms... she knows so much about the history and bloodlines of these mini's and it's usually way over my head but I'm starting to recognize names.......whenever I was looking at a horse to purchase Michelle was my bloodline guru! She also put together a great website for me! Of course the forum has given me sooooo much information....just love it!

 

[Selina]

Our menator would be LAURA TENNILL of Ten L Training Center.

She not only sold me two great horses, but she has become a great friend.

She has answered thousands of questions for me and my daughter.

Some questions probably twice, maybe even three times.

She has spent countless hours teaching us about miniatures from how to groom, to how to present them. She went beyond the call of duty helping us get ready for the Nationals.

If you don't know her you should take the time and check out her web site and just talk to her.

Our other menator would have to be ERICA KILLION.

She is such a nice young lady. Before we meet Laura and picked her brain to death,

we would always watch Erica and talk to her at the shows. She would answer all of our questions

and share tips with us. She was and is always so friendly to my daughter, Natalie.

I remember a couple of years ago my daughter said i hope one day that i can show as good as Erica.

To Erica's Mom, you raised a beautiful, thoughtful, wonderful lady. She is a true gem.

Thanks.