New Mini & Questions

[CRERS]

We recently got a new miniature - he is a yearling colt with locking stifles and was bought by his original owner for a herd sire, but began toeing out and locking up, so instead of breeding him, she re-homed him with us and my son is so thrilled. He is a precious little guy, great manners and so much fun. Right now he is in the pony paddock with our weanling, but I have a few questions that i was hoping some of you may be able to answer.

Do mini's sometimes take a little longer to drop? Our 5-6 month old pony has dropped and will be getting gelded as soon as the weather warms up a little, and I'd like to get the mini gelded at the same time, however, I can only feel one down.

He is not showing any stallion like behaviour and I'm hoping this is normal and it will drop in time?

We have a larger paddock that I would like to use for him, but it is attached to the big pasture where the big mares are - they are both QH's. We have 3 board fencing in some areas, and electric in others to seperate the pastures, but with him being a colt, will it cause trouble with the big mares? He is only 27.5 inches, so I'm sure he can't reach the girls, but I'm afraid of him trying something and getting nailed by one of them. Thoughts?

My next question is grass - he was on a dry lot before he came here and is now in the pony paddock where there is just the smallest amount of grass - it's nearly a dry lot. For exercise purposes, I'd like to let him play in the larger paddock, but there is more grass in there and I don't want to colic/founder him. As it stands now, he goes in once a day with me right there and I allow him about a half hour to do what he wants. Since it is winter, is there less to worry about with ponies/mini's on winter grass? I would really like the babies to have the room to romp and play, but I don't want to get them sick. :no:

ANY help or advice on any of the above questions would be so appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[trickhorses]

We recently got a new miniature - he is a yearling colt with locking stifles and was bought by his original owner for a herd sire, but began toeing out and locking up, so instead of breeding him, she re-homed him with us and my son is so thrilled. He is a precious little guy, great manners and so much fun. Right now he is in the pony paddock with our weanling, but I have a few questions that i was hoping some of you may be able to answer.

Do mini's sometimes take a little longer to drop? Our 5-6 month old pony has dropped and will be getting gelded as soon as the weather warms up a little, and I'd like to get the mini gelded at the same time, however, I can only feel one down.

He is not showing any stallion like behaviour and I'm hoping this is normal and it will drop in time?

We have a larger paddock that I would like to use for him, but it is attached to the big pasture where the big mares are - they are both QH's. We have 3 board fencing in some areas, and electric in others to seperate the pastures, but with him being a colt, will it cause trouble with the big mares? He is only 27.5 inches, so I'm sure he can't reach the girls, but I'm afraid of him trying something and getting nailed by one of them. Thoughts?

My next question is grass - he was on a dry lot before he came here and is now in the pony paddock where there is just the smallest amount of grass - it's nearly a dry lot. For exercise purposes, I'd like to let him play in the larger paddock, but there is more grass in there and I don't want to colic/founder him. As it stands now, he goes in once a day with me right there and I allow him about a half hour to do what he wants. Since it is winter, is there less to worry about with ponies/mini's on winter grass? I would really like the babies to have the room to romp and play, but I don't want to get them sick. :no:

ANY help or advice on any of the above questions would be so appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

If I purchase a horse that hasen't been on grass for long periods of time, I gradually wean them onto it. For the first couple of days, I have them on grass for 1 or 2 hours and then gradually add a couple hours to their routine for the next 2 weeks until they are fully weaned to being on grass all day. Hope that helps!

 

[Mona]

I have never had a problem with any of my colts born here, "dropping". They are normally both present at birth. Try "digging"(for lack of a better word) kind up deep up under the skin. As long as you can feel them, they can be gelded. They don't have to be "hanging" in the scrotum. So just push around up in that area with your fingers, and if you can feel 2, you are good to go!

:

I would be more concerned about him getting through the 3 board fence and in with the mares?? Not sure how possible that is?

As for putting him out in the larger paddock with the grass, start him off out there for just a few hours, gradually increasing his time. Good Luck!

 

[lilhorseladie]

It does sometimes take them longer to drop, the other thing is that mine have hidden one down the pant leg it seems. When the vet feels he can locate them, but I can't always

I usually geld mine at around a year, which seems to be when the vet here is comfortable with it.

 

[CRERS]

His paddock now is 3 board fencing and he's doesn't get through it - because it's a pony paddock, we have it lower than we have the big pasture fencing, and not as high.

So you think it may be a problem having him close to the mares before he is gelded? At what age do they usually start getting studdish? They were very nice to him when I took him for a walk to meet them over the fence, but if he were to get too close to the fence in the bigger paddock, there could be trouble?

Ok, I have to ask this - could a miniature actually breed a QH? LOL :new_shocked:

 

[Mona]

I really think he will be just fine next to your mares. Getting studdish really depends on the horse itself. Some can be very studdy as yearlings, other won;t bother at all. Yes, apparently minis can, and have, bred QHs. LOL!

 

[Suzie]

Ok, I have to ask this - could a miniature actually breed a QH? LOL :new_shocked:

Nature has one rule- where there is a will there is a way......Yes. :bgrin

:

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Let's just say if you see him lugging a ladder across the paddock- WORRY!!!

You Vet may well be able to find the "other one" so I would have them dig deep for you and No it is not "normal" for minis to drop later- unfortunately it appears to be tolerated and that is why it happens!!

Actually, so long as it is totally safe for him to be there, having him next to the mares may help him "drop" as it could well jump start the old testosterone- which is still pretty low at this time of year- and could well help him.

Do not worry about "studdish" behaviour, it will soon settle once he is gelded.

Welcome to the Forum, by the way, and bless you for taking this little chap in and dealing with him with so much responsibility.

For future reference my Minis run out on good grass all year round and do not founder. BUT I would not just throw him out on it- you are quite right there.

He can, however, get used to it and run out on sensible grass without any damage.

 

[Joyce]

Yes, some mini colts take longer to drop, some up to 4 or 5 years and some drop much much sooner.

So you will just have to wait. His locking up can be corrected with a simple surgery from the Vet.

Congratulations on owning him and sounds like he will have a great home.

Joyce