Dwarfism poll for breeders of minis...

[targetsmom]

Breeders (those who have had mini foals on their farm): Please take a few seconds to respond to this simple poll. No one will know how you responded unless you explain in the thread itself. If you are not sure if the foal or fetus was a true dwarf, answer to the best of your knowledge.

The interest in the dwarfism "forum" suggests that there are many of us who would value the responses. I realize that this single question only touches the surface of the issue, but a more complex question might make it possible to identify someone's farm.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

 

[Westwood Farms]

I just wanted to respond here, that both dwarves born here were from mares purchased bred. Both were bred to champion sires, and that tells me no horse is immune to dwarfism. Neither one lived.

 

[backwoodsnanny]

The dwarf born here was also from a bred mare that came from elsewhere. He lived 3days short of 4 months .

 

[targetsmom]

Thanks to all who responded so far.

Obviously this poll only collects data in a very limited fashion, using the farm where the dwarf was born (or aborted) as the frame of reference. That seemed the simplest way to pose the question, although I realized that it meant that there would be cases such as Westwoods Farm and Backwoodsnanny mentioned, where they did not breed the mares involved. But it should also mean that any dwarf will only get counted once - where they were born, not where they were bred, if different.

 

[R Whiteman]

Our first two mini foals born on our farm were dwarves. All four parents were entirely unrelated and came from different farms. The first did enough damage to the mare to leave her unbreedable, which turned out to be a good thing. Upon further study, it was obvious that she was showing some characteristics. That foal, a filly, born two months early, died and was very difficult to deliver since it never turned into position. The second born two years later was out of a mare that had 9 normal foals. But again, as we learned more,it was clear to see that our stallion was the problem. He was immediately gelded. That foal lived to term but had legs so short that it was unable to stand, and was put down. I believe that all things happen for a reason and those two babies did more for our breeding program than any other horses, because through them we learned what to look for. They led us to the studies done by Barbara Naviaux, Nancy Rivenburg, and Dr. Bowling of UC Davis. We are so lucky now to have information available to us and that most breeders are openly acknowledging rather than denying the existence of their littlest babies. We can't learn much if we hide evidence of our breeding "mistakes".

Dorothy

 

[Reble]

No dwarfs from our bloodline on our farm

 

[Buckskin gal]

None here. I sure do wish everyone could share thier stories of what bloodlines were involved but understand that it won't happen. I hope we never have a dwarf born here and yet know as long as a person breeds minis there is a chance. If anyone would want to share through pm's I would love to learn more.

Mary

 

[Bess Kelly]

So far, never any born here. Since I began breeding with and for the tinies, I feel fortunate to say that.

Although I did as much research and personal inspection of all purchases (their parents, siblings, offspring) as I could, we all know that not every pedigree is valid and in that respect, every breeder takes a chance on the bloodlines stated.

Few of mine were purchased as bred mares. Most were maiden and from lines where several generations could be observed. The stallions, however, all had sired several foals, many of whom were mature and producing. My younger stallions were then farm raised for the most part.

With all that -- I am aware that it "could" happen.

 

[lyn_j]

I have been breeding minis since 1983 and have not ever had a dwarf. HOWEVER , I had a colt last year that I believe has some characteristics, his nostrils are placed on the top of his muzzle rather than on the front and he has an underbite. He is coming 2 and is 30 inches. He has a nice lengtrh of neck and straight legs but he is long in the body for his leg length. I guess dwarfism is like being pregnant, there isnt a little bit pregnant nor a little bit dwarfy to me, thats why he is gelded and just a pet

Lyn

 

[lilfolks]

Mary, in all my years of breeding I had one dwarf born and he lived to about 3 years old. He was given as a companion to a loan mini and friends or ours and he is buried in a Pet Cemetery in Glastonbury I think the town is. They have a little funeral service for him which I attended. Very touching.

I never bred that stallion to that mare again and never had another one from any other pairing. It is an act of nature gone wrong but what a sweet little personality he had and he could outsmart some of my other minis when mingling in the field. I'm sure he's in heaven still entertaining, God Bless You Tropper. You will never be forgotton.

Joyce

Little Folks Fam, CT

 

[littlearab]

I had one dwarf colt born here 2 years ago.

He lived for about 6weeks and I had him put down.

Could not see him living a life of suffering.

He was bprn out of abred mare, I also purchused the stallion it was a package deal. I sold the mare as pet, but she was bred agian by new owner and had another dwarf foal.

I still own the stallion had 12 more foal out of him all non dwarfs. I do wonder about weather he is the dwarf 's sire( long story)

If any one whats to know the lines they can PM me and I'll tell them.Will not od it on a open fourm as I've had problems with the breder of the mare and do not wish to start that all up agian.

The lines were reported to AMHR.

 

[outlawridge]

The dwarf born at our ranch was to a mare I had purchased bred. This is my best blooded, champion mare bred to national champion bloodlines. It was the first dwarf for both parents and they had been bred several times before this without any dwarf foals. Little Joey is an achondroplasia dwarf and is now 6 years old. The birth was easy and no problems. He is very healthy and has never been sick. However, he was rushed to the hospital at 8 days old with choke. I will NEVER put shavings in a foaling stall again. Had a small amount underneath a thick layer of straw and grass hay. This is what he ingested and had choke from. Joey has a forever home here. He runs and plays with the best of them. Granted, he is not a brachycephalic dwarf like our three adopted girls, but he is a full blown dwarf.

Dorothy, I commend your decisions and thank you for being so diligent.

 

[Candice]

We've had one minimal dwarf colt here and I purchased the mare bred to a regional reserve champion. Her pregnancy was very normal from the time we acquired her and her delivery was ultra easy. Doc said she had no bruising at all. She has had numerous beautiful foals. He was very tiny (16" at birth). Now at 9mos he is approx 25". His only characteristics are an off bite, a bit of a domey head and he had a heel roll under on one of his front feet. Otherwise he is very correct and "normal" in appearance. We Love him!!

 

[ohmt]

Only one dwarf for us in the 20+ years of breeding....she is a very minimal dwarf and probably one of the most gorgeous dwarves you'll ever find

People who come to visit always point her out and tell me how gorgeous she is. I won't sell her-she's 25.5" and such a pretty girl that I'm afraid someone will breed her. She is now 6 years old and still running around in our pastures. Very bossy....LOTS of attitude. The kids love her because she's their size! Was born normal....she was actually my pick of that years foal crop. Stunning. But her legs never grew and her back legs went very toed out. I think because she has an extra fibula or something like that?? I read about her type somewhere but can't remember exactly what her problem is. She has a perfect bite though...gorgeous head and neck...not chubby....is super sleek.... just those legs.

Anyone that wants to know her bloodlines can go ahead and pm me. I'd be happy to share. I just don't want to make anyone upset by posting it on here for everyone to see.

This is a picture of her:

 

[user 488]

Bumping up for targetsmom in hopes of getting some more votes.

 

[Reble]

Looks like dwarfs are here to stay... with the way the voting is going.

 

[targetsmom]

Maybe I should point out a few things about the poll results:

This is not a scientific survey and may not represent all miniature horse breeders

The results do not indicate WHEN the dwarfs were born, or even if they were born alive rather than stillborn or aborted

There is no indication FROM THIS SIMPLE POLL, if the dwarfs or their sires and dams are still being used for breeding.

The results don't say anything about the percentage of miniature horses that might be carriers of the dwarf gene

What the results say to me (I do this kind of thing for a living - i.e. to support my minis!) is that dwarfs appear to have affected about 40% of miniature horse breeders and that more research is needed.

And I might also add, that as a long-time horse owner, but fairly new to miniatures, I was pretty shocked by the responses!

 

[horsehug]

Targetsmom,

Were you shocked that there were so many or that there were so few that said they had had a dwarf born on their farm?

I am just curious as to if you thought there would be lots more, or lots less.

Thanks,

Susan O.

 

[targetsmom]

I was shocked that the number/percent is so high - and that so many people responded. I am thrilled that so many did respond, though, and I really appreciate it. I think many other forum members feel that way too.

 

[runamuk]

I was shocked that the number/percent is so high - and that so many people responded. I am thrilled that so many did respond, though, and I really appreciate it. I think many other forum members feel that way too.

Years ago (different forum format) I did a similar poll and had about the same results percentage wise so I wasn't too surprised by the answer.

I also collected data from a few large farms with numbers of mares bred number of foals born numbers of dwarves or suspected dwarves (some aborted fetuses are obvious others not so much). What was interesting was on these larger farms their foaling percentages were pretty comparable to full sized breeding farms. Sadly my computer crashed about a year ago and even though I had made back ups I was unable to retrieve the data from the disc OH! OH! OH!