FAO Schwarz Catalog

[runamuk]

Cute marketing...thought we were beyond this ....you used to be able to buy a llama from ll bean for about 10,000 then the market fell out

anywhow ruffntuff you raise a great point...my first pony when I was 8 was about 36-38 inches and a little butthead.....I rode him until my feet drug the ground

unless of course he had ditched my rear and headed for the hills.....everyone back then had an ornery shetland pony and few were bigger than 40 inches.

My 29-30 inch gelding has been ridden by my kids until they reached 50-60 lbs then they were cut off and funny he loved playing pony ride horse with them....he loved the attention and it never hurt him at all.......to this day he is my super reliable that I can use to introduce new people to not only miniatures but to horses in general.........

at that price I am assuming the person buying can take care of that mini more than likely they end up with it at a boarding stable possibly introducing more people to our breed...which in my opinion is a good thing

 

[Tony]

When we have people come to our ranch wanting specifically a riding horse, I explain that we don't actually market our horses for riding because too often the purchasers fail to realize when their children have outgrown the horse. If their children are very small and they are a horse family, I will show them horses, but if their children are at the top end of the acceptable size/weight, I give them names of people in our area who specialize in larger horses and ponies and recommend that they investigate getting a Shetland or a B sized miniature, which we don't really deal in. That approach has worked very well for us for many years.

By the way, AMHA actually had lead-line classes at the National Show for a number of years, until some decided that they wanted to cut that part of the market, for the reasons that I wrote in the first paragraph. Of course we still have mounted riders in costume classes from time to time, and some very cute and appropriate entries, too.

 

[Sue_C.]

I wanna just see someone try to take my horses from me, for saddle-training, and allowing them to be ridden.

I know...the helmet should be on the young man riding the chestnut, Shooter, but a moment of laxness on my part...forever in print.

This picture of Dano, Abby and Zeemer, is my absolute favorite. The older sister leading the younger; is the young lady who helps out 'round my barn, takes driving lessons, and drivies some of my horses in competitions. What I love about this picture, is how Abby's back number is almost as big as she. The horse here is only a wee guy, and he had no problem at all carrying her.

Heck, I have saddle, AND harness trained horses for a lot less than $15,000!

Perhaps I should put my prices up?

 

[Debby - LB]

I wonder where they got or are getting the little mini from? anybody know??

and if they have more than one order, what then?

Do one of you have a little herd of beautiful buckskin minis out there at your catalog distribution center...uh hm..farm? How neat!! Oh how fast that would have been on my wish list -heck that IS on my wish list! .......How 'bout that, too darn cute.

 

[minimini]

N/A

 

[Dona]

The mechanics for driving and riding are much different. Different parts of the body are used in different ways. Minis were bred to pull. Many pit ponies were actually miniature horses. In arecent article, one of the assn. was qutoed as saying that the do not support the ridding of minis. Unfortuanting for me I can not find that article at this moment to give you the detail.

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I read that somewhere recently too....and was very surprised when I saw it. Fact is...you will always be able to find a few people who feel this way. And it really irritates me when I see something like this in print, as there are always going to be inexperienced people who will believe it...just because they read it.

I know a LOT more people (experienced long-time breeders) who feel Minis CAN be ridden by children....than those who believe the opposite.

I believe the person who said that in the Assn article was just saying they do not "support" riding of Miniatures...probably so people (new to horses) wouldn't be tempted to allow thier over-sized children ride them.

"Quote: The mechanics for driving and riding are much different. Different parts of the body are used in different ways. Minis were bred to pull. Many pit ponies were actually miniature horses."

So, are you saying that just because Miniatures were "bred to pull" (which I don't agree with BTW.) that somehow renders them unable to hold weight on their backs?

That must mean that Draft horses cannot be ridden, or Halflingers cannot be ridden, or Standardbreds cannot be ridden.

Any horse that is bred for driving or pulling....is also very capable of being ridden by size appropriate riders. Can you give me a good reason why you would think otherwise? I'm really at a loss here to understand why anyone would think that.

I don't believe Miniatures were "bred to pull" so they could be used in the coal mines anyway. They were used in the coal mines BECAUSE of their small size & natural "ability" to pull heavy loads. They were very compact & "heavy boned" in those days.

 

[wildoak]

Very cute, and very responsible marketing in my opinion. What more could you ask than to have your new horse come with it's own professional for guidance?!

I agree it's unlikely to be a hot sales item at that price, but it sure might whet someone's appetite. I am very reluctant, as Tony said, to sell to folks who come looking for a riding horse unless they know what they are doing. However, there are lots of minis/ small ponies who have gone lots of miles carrying kids with no more ill effects than their bigger cousins carrying adults.

This is a topic for conversation, and surely not anything worth starting yet another nit picky debate on here about.

Jan

 

[Dona]

Don't worry Jan...I'm done.

But this whole thread just brought back some childhood memories. A gentleman who lived about a mile down the road from me when I was a child, used to breed very small "Shetland" ponies. (would be considered Minis nowdays). He had a whole field full of them...all the same color...light sorrel with flaxen manes & tails, fat & roly-poly...very cute.

I just found out recently, when talking to a gal who knew this guy....that he was paid by Sears-Roebuck to breed these little ponies, which were sold in the catalog!

Does any other "oldies" besides me remember seeing any of those ads in the catalogs?

 

[js1arab]

Well, I realize this post wasn't intended to be an arguement about riding, but I personally get tired of the no riding mentality. Many people tend to assume Arabs are too small and "frail" to be ridden hard. Heck, for several years the top endurance horses in the country were Arabs in the 14 hand range being ridden by riders over 200lbs. That's 20 plus percent of their body weight and they were doing this for hours a day over really rough terrain and hills and they were getting awards for being in the top condition. I feel minis tend to be the same way, they may look small and frail, but actually have strong dense bones and a compact back is always better in the long run for riding as a longer backed animal will be more prone to breakdown. Besides, most minis are ridden for short periods of time due to the attention span of the riders LOL

I think that marketing them for kids is fine as long as it is mentioned that they can and will be outgrown in a short time frame so the new owners don't over do things. It's much better than marketing them as littler trained house pets.

I want to edit this to add that I am not condemning anyone for not riding their minis, I just prefer mine to be rideable. It does no good to fight about this as neither way of thinking is going to change, I just get tired of being told we "shouldn't " ride the minis. I don't tell others they should ride, how to market, what color to breed etc. To each his own unless the animals are in danger.

 

[shminifancier]

Cool

I have seen FEO Schwarz selling a Monopoly Board For One Million Dollars~!! Had in laid REAL diamonds and it comes with $30,000 IN REAL money~!! Now this is neat I have gotten that catalog for awhile but I have not received that issue... Neato~! Yes that place in a special room has Very expensive Items for the Very Rich kids... I know when they brought out the Monopoly set it was chained to an Armed Guard~!

Every now and then on The Travel Channel they will do specials on Toys for the Rich and Famous kids and sometimes even for the Rich and Famous Parents~! But this is good for marketing and such as that...For the Filthy Rich...Just like that show Filthy Rich Cattle Drive on the E cable channel....

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

How every you get your jollies Tony.

I have always been under the impression, from knowledgable people on this board as well as what the breed assoications say, minis are not meant to be ridden. I don't know how many times this subject has come up since I have been on here, but it has been more than once.  Oh and where was the word forbidden, I seem to recall that my words were.. shouldn't be...

So maybe you are right... maybe your dad's horses should have been taken away.

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Whoa, now, that wasn't very nice.... especially since Tony has been raising Miniature horses and small equines longer than many of us have been alive! I'm pretty sure he KNOWS what he is talking about.

My rule is if I can pick up a child with one arm, they can ride. I ain't THAT strong... and the minis don't mind. In fact, I had a neighbor's grandson sit on one of my broodmares yesterday. She had never had anything on her back, and she never flinched. Never moved. Didn't care.

Didn't hurt her, either.

Lucy

 

[Miniv]

Yes, the muscles that minis use for pulling a cart versus riding are different. However, minis CAN be ridden by small children.

Once a miniature horse reaches maturity, it does not harm them to have a child within 40 pounds, up to 60 pounds depending on the height and build of the mini, on their backs.

I agree with Tony also that if their child is already getting close to the 40 to 60 lb mark, I would steer them in a different direction. I sure wouldn't want them to "out grow" and thus lose interest in my mini in a matter of a year or two!

It all really takes just a bit of basic common sense! And I think in the long run an ad like what is in the FAO Schwarz catalog is to our benefit.

MA

 

[shminifancier]

It just depends on just how the mini is muscled and developed whether slim or real muscular you can't just label every mini and say they shouldn't be ridden..There are many different size ranches and body style and many things to make a Blanket statement like that. There is so many different body style some are certainly capable of having a very light wt. kid on there backs.. A well muscled well stocky built mini...After all there are lots of 36 37 38 inch that are still minis and can be ridden without any problem. and some smaller then that if well built and stocky of stature.

 

[Relic]

My youngest daughter now 25 man time flies was brought up riding our minis till about age 5. The mares or stallions were not the refined ones like now a days and they were never the worse for wear she was also a very skinny kid. l have seen people put older 6/7 year old kids that were fat on short minis which l didn't feel was right and you could see it wasn't easy for the horse.

 

[Cathy_H]

Well if they sell a lot of horses they are going to need a lot of knowledgable horse people to teach the buyers all about their new purchase...... Anyone need a job?.................................. BTW that is my 30 pound grand daughter on our 31 1/4 inch stallion.

Edited to add another picture - BTW the saddle was bought for our first grandchild after being born- ( in pic with Lee) but our daughter in law was skittish about the horses so now the granddaughters are enjoying it.

 

[horsehug]

Cathy,

That picture is ADORABLE )))

Susan O.

 

[Sun Runner Stables]

I am completly in agreement with Tony and Dona, and any auctual Horse person would be as well. (As proven by others statements.)

(* Horse person* A qualified individual who has had Years and Years of experience with either Big and/or Small horses and does not simply parrot back all the crap they read about animals they know nothing about.)

Many minis can, do, and will happily carry small children. Most without ever having been saddled before. If this isn't a breed for kids, then what the heck is it?? A real life Breyer Model Horse that you dare not play with least you scratch it??

Key word in all this is Small, and Weight Appropiate child on horse.

This is a Wonderful, Incredible, and Fantastic marketing idea. As Tony said, who could possibly afford This kind of coverage in all the right places... And we are getting it FOR FREE!!!!! Please those of you who are worried, check out the facts and bone density of the cannon bones vs. weight horse can carry, and realize that when handled apporpiatly, this is a Great and Good thing. Little Kids and their companions... It's like a fairy tale. Heck who Didn't want a pony at that age??

 

[RENMACMINIS]

Darn.. so who wants to come and break the news to my two daughters they cant ride thier "ponies" anymore????? my oldest daughter is 7 only weighs 50 lbs and her "pony" is a 37" AMHR reg. mare.. who is very stocky and very built.. do i have problems on allowing her to ride ??? NOOOOOOO!! she only rides for short times the longes this mare has been ridden is in a parade that is only approx. 2 miles long.. the mare loves being ridden and loves my daughter.. my youngest daughter is 3 and only weighs approx. 30lbs and she rides a 34" mare. who is out of my oldest daughters mare. she is not as built as her mom but again she isnt rode for long periods of time except for the above mentioned parade and short trips around the yard and field. When the time comes she doesnt fit the mare she will graduate to the 37" tall mare.. and my daughter will then to to riding my TWH mare. Minis can be rode. a Mini stallion was my first "pony" I rode him till i outgrew him then he was sold on to another family for their child... I am all for Minis being rode. But they should be ridden by the appropriate sized child.

 

[Miniv]

I am all for Minis being rode. But they should be ridden by the appropriate sized child.

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Exactly! Not sure what the all the snit is about here.....

If handled with common sense, the miniature horse is a wonderful introduction to riding for a small child!

MA

 

[Black Magic]

I'm also looking for the snit....

We have a 36 in guy that is 325 lbs... and all three of our children ride him. Our ten year old son rides him without a saddle to avoid the extra weight, but we're still close to the 20% rule... maybe a few pounds over. Our guy is built like a draft horse, and cries when he can't come with me, when I'm riding the QH. This boy, if he knows someone is riding... he cries... throws himself down... rolls, cries and rolls again. People in the neighborhood know him, because when he cries, eveyone can hear him, and everyone knows, he wants to be ridden too... Lol... He's such a BIG BABY!...

Our two year old is very bright... a silver dapple, whose's about 30 inches. He noticed our five year old.. (very petite child at 37 lbs) was standing, legs spread... and he tried to run under her. Well, the next thing you know, she was sitting on him, and he was the happiest little mini you've ever seen. Our five year old, grabbed his mane and off he went to stand at the gate to go riding like the other two horses do...

I do understand people's concern about a mini being ridden by a child, who was over sized for the horse, with no one around that had a clue the child should have a hard hat on...

SAFETY for both the mini and the child would be my only issues...

God Bless,

Lynn W