Newbie Here

[Linz]

Hi there,

I'm 21, live near the MS Gulf Coast, I've been training animals (primarily dogs) for over 10 years, and I just got my first miniature horse this summer. Actually, he's my first horse ever.

I do know a moderate amount about horses, (so I'm not exactly a greenhorn) but I was never particularly interested in miniatures until this guy was given to me. (Now I'm very interested in minis, lol.)

(I can't decide wether he's smiling or giving me the evil eyes in this picture... he's tons of fun though.)

Anyhow, Stihl (originally Goliath) is supposed to be about 4 now, but his teeth say otherwise (seems like 3 years old at most) and he's 36" tall. I (and the previous owner) were told he was a gelding, but during a bath I found evidence to the contrary (no scar either, and evidently a monorchid (just finished decending a few weeks ago)). I was also told (according to the first person who owned him) that he was shown in halter, and broken to ride. (That seemed to be about as accurate as him being a gelding.) He's a breeze to train (I've been ground driving him, among other things), and loves his pasture buddies (fainter goat does).

I am wondering if there is any way to see if this guy actually is registered? No papers were given to the person I got him from. (And if he was actually shown, it makes me think he would have them.) And I know it's hard to tell from pictures sometimes, but does he look good enough to stay a stud? (Teeth are correct, etc.) I don't have any mares on the property, or anywhere within a few miles (to my knowledge): so he can't breed anyone by accident and I don't forsee breeding him anywhere in the near future.

(please pardon the grass in his mouth, he loves his food...)

Great to finally post on here!

Thanks in advance,

-Linz

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Welcome to the world of minis and to the forum! I really like your guy, he was given to you? How lucky!

Do you plan on getting more, or is one enough for now?

 

[Linz]

Thanks! Yep, Stihl is a gift horse (I guess I'm bad for looking at his teeth then...)

It's probably going to be just him for awhile yet, I don't know that I'd have enough time right now to exercise two.

 

[Miniv]

Just want to let you know.........He is a BEAUTY.........Too bad for the lack of papers because he'd give some AMHR Geldings a run for their money!

And that's just from glancing at your pictures!

I bet he's going to prove to be a great carting pony.....just at looking at the slope of his shoulder and his hip.

Oh, and that first photo? He was telling you how deep a hole you should dig. LOL!!!! No QUESTION!

You are going to have a BLAST with him, if you want to!

 

[Royal Crescent]

Pretty boy. Congratulations!

Warning though. Minis are like potato chips, you can't stop at just one. They also like a friend

Barb

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Oh yes, two are definately more challanging. I only meant to get one, but then another one was offered to me and I couldn't refuse. So now I have a boy and a girl, and I love them equally.

How long have you had him?

 

[Linz]

LOL Miniv, and thanks! I already have smelled the "BLASTS"... he has a fun habit of blasting while we're ground driving (I'd almost swear that horse laughs when he does it)... I bet the people watching think I'm crazy when I start making faces.

Yeah, the goats are like that too... I need to get some pictures of him with his girls... the kids like to climb on him when he's laying down. I know he'd probably love an equine buddy (particularly a mare...)

, but he seems very attached to "his" does. Actually if you take either a goat out of the pasture, or him, they call to each other sometimes.

I got him in late May of this year.

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Welcome from New Hampshire!! I trained dogs for years and showed mostly in AKC obedience. What a blast!! Your boy is awesome!! Maybe you can back track his owners and try to get his papers. He's worth it for sure!! Wow!!

 

[REO]

Howdy! Your boy is a beauty! Sounds like you're having a great time with him! Welcome to the forum!

Minis are the BEST!!!!

 

[targetsmom]

Welcome to the forum and the fun world of minis! Your boy is very nice. Because he is a pinto you could get him registered with the Pinto association (www.pinto.org). I am not sure if they still accept unregistered mini stallions or if he would need to be a gelding. The Pinto shows are family friendly and lots of fun.

 

[TheCaseFamily00]

Welcome,what a hadsome boy you have

.

 

[Linz]

Thanks all! Obedience training is a blast. I did a little bit of dog rescue with my mom (some were abused) when I was younger, and until the last few years I've been working (along with a lady who posesses far more experience) on training my dog for Search and Rescue. (A certain storm interrupted that.) Actually, I've gotten Stihl to where he usually doesn't paw the ground anymore (he was tearing up his feet), he just holds the foot against his belly and wiggles it. hehe, I need to get video of that. I'm still working on a "wait" (he's up to around 5 feet away so far).

I'd love to track down his owner(s)/breeder and try to get his papers (if he has them). I saw on AMHA and AMHR that they have genetic testing. Would this help with at least finding his breeder? Could papers be reissued? I have considered registering him as a pinto, and if the genetic testing wouldn't work, that looks to be my only option. (I really don't have many leads, except for the owner prior to me.) The Pinto registry says that Stihl could be registered uncut.

I havent heard anyone say outright yet that they'd think he'd be better as a gelding? I won't be offended if someone (or several people) do think that he's not nice enough to stay a stud (I know the lack of papers is bad). Or since he's here, not in reach of any mares, he's fine as he is? Since he is a stud, he's being used as a herd guardian for the does (he will stomp an aggressively playful dog, but he's fine with mine). Oh, I do still live with my parents, primarily due to me being in college, and lack of jobs. (Plus they need the farm hand.)

 

[Little Wolf Ranch]

I'd love to track down his owner(s)/breeder and try to get his papers (if he has them). I saw on AMHA and AMHR that they have genetic testing. Would this help with at least finding his breeder? Could papers be reissued? I have considered registering him as a pinto, and if the genetic testing wouldn't work, that looks to be my only option. (I really don't have many leads, except for the owner prior to me.) The Pinto registry says that Stihl could be registered uncut.

Personally, I am not sure about the genetic testing because I believe both his parents would have had to had been tested as well. . . .but I do know that if he were mine, I would get him PtHA registered and WCMHR registered - they both do not require A/R paperwork to be accepted  into those registries.

I havent heard anyone say outright yet that they'd think he'd be better as a gelding? I won't be offended if someone (or several people) do think that he's not nice enough to stay a stud (I know the lack of papers is bad). Or since he's here, not in reach of any mares, he's fine as he is?

This is just my opinion, but I do not believe in breeding grade horses (big or little) so if he were mine, he would be an awesome show gelding! To me, he is DEFINATELY stallion quality but unless you get the AMHA and/or AMHR paperwork, I would geld him and enjoy him. Plus you will find that he will be a lot more reliable in the ring and a lot less distracted. You did make a good point, so long as you have no mares, then you could leave him uncut, but if you plan on getting more than one (despite what gender you get) I would suggest castration again. 

On a side note, I just want to say that I hope you can track down his paperwork because he is definately worthy of them! 

 

[Linz]

Personally, I am not sure about the genetic testing because I believe both his parents would have had to had been tested as well. . . .but I do know that if he were mine, I would get him PtHA registered and WCMHR registered - they both do not require A/R paperwork to be accepted into those registries. 


This is just my opinion, but I do not believe in breeding grade horses (big or little) so if he were mine, he would be an awesome show gelding! To me, he is DEFINATELY stallion quality but unless you get the AMHA and/or AMHR paperwork, I would geld him and enjoy him. Plus you will find that he will be a lot more reliable in the ring and a lot less distracted. You did make a good point, so long as you have no mares, then you could leave him uncut, but if you plan on getting more than one (despite what gender you get) I would suggest castration again.

Thank you.

I really need to contact both registries then I suppose, and get the testing done when I have time (finals). I wonder if results would show up if he has a half-sibling or a full sibling that has been tested. Where I got him was near Nashville TN, but I need to ask the previous owner if she knows of anyone else I can track down for information.

I agree, plus there doesn't seem to be a market for grade horses (not for a few years now), except that locally people seem to go nuts for paints and pintos. (I hate to think about the amount of sunburn that a mostly white (or gray) horse could get.) Well, no more horses (now watch one show up on my doorstep...

) for awhile yet, so I guess that gives me some time to try and track papers down.

 

[LindaL]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon! Your boy is really nice! He will make an AWESOME gelding!!

 

[ErikaS.]

I just wanted to say "hi" and welcome from Nebraska. I think your boy is handsome.

 

[drk]

Hello and Welcome from Maryland !!! Your boy is very nice but watch out.... It's addictive...LOL

 

[Mona]

Hi there. Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of minis! You sure have a handsome boy there, and I hope you can spend many wonderful, fun-filled years together!

 

[Linz]

Thanks for the warm welcome and well wishes.