Question for Canadian breeders!

[Club Mini]

Hey All!

New to this forum!

I have a bunch of friends in Ontario who have fallen in love with my minis and think its time for them to start with a mini or two. I know what sells here but have no clue on what the market is like up there. I want to make sure that i guide them in the right direction. I would like for them to be able to sell what they have if the time comes, and not be stuck b/c they purchased what is hard to sell. It would not be feesable to transport any of mine up there, but then again, for what is not so popular down here....i've seen up there for over $1500. So i guess what i'm asking for is what sells up there and what are the normal prices?

Thanks to all for your time!

Glad to be here!

Nella

 

[Sue_C.]

To be truthful, I find there are three kinds of customers interested in purchasing minis.

1/ The "OH honey, isn't it Kyooooot...we need us one" type of buyer who hasn't a clue about horsemanship; that I try very hard to educate about the needs of a mini, because they really are horses.

2/ The buyer who is interested in a driving horse, either for themselves or their children. They want something safe and sane, and are willing to wait until they find the perfect match.

3/ The serious competitor who knows what they want and are very picky in what they are going to leave with. They might even be a breeder themselves, looking to add to their own herds, or just wanting a horse they figure will win in the ring.

#2 and #3 are my favourite people to sell to, and the #1's, I discourage if they don't come across as "educatable". I am looking for as permanent a home as possible for my horses, and the "cute-factor-folks" very often don't sick with anything...rather they discard what was cute yesterday in their never-ending search to out-do their neighbours. I would rather keep and feed a horse for it's lifetime, than let it leave my place, with me left thinking it wouldn't be loved and appreciated.

Here, we don't show Halter very much, and do not yet have sanctioned shows. But...do not let that make you think for one second that we do not breed FOR halter quality animals that can also perform. I showed winning Halter horses for years with my Appaloosas, and rode those same horses to Championships, so I find a horse that wins at halter, but cannot drive well, "pretty" useless. Pretty is, as pretty does, in my opinion.

As for colour, the pintos are very popular, but the appies even more so.

Prices, well, I think they will soon be dropping, unfortunately...everything will. I am confident that it will come back up, as it has in the past.

 

[Club Mini]

Hey Sue

i know what you mean about the 3 kinds of buyers....and i wish i could say they aren't everywhere....but they sure are! so yes, i am very familiar....and this is why i put the clause in my selling terms - that i hold the right to refuse the sale of anyone on my farm....you'd be surprised what kind of people i've met here in the country. lol

maybe i haven't looked hard enough....but from what i have seen...it seems like the standard start price is always over a thousand there....is this true in your experience?

and thanks for mentioning the colors....thats what i was counting on. i know appaloosas are popular here too...but they are very hard to breed for.....and it is a limited market.

does AMHA/AMHR matter at all? or is that the standard for "great" horses?

i have seen some double registered minis that i would NEVER breed....yet they are considered "better" than others. Also, double registered here do sell for much more than just R reg.....does that hold true there too?

(thanks for your time)

nella

 

[White Socks Miniature]

I think Sue C has said it. In BC we have sanctioned shows and quite a few of our members show in the states as well. So the same kind of market sells here as in the states.

I have personally seen minis go for anywhere from free (pet quality) to a heck of a lot more. I personally look for driving/ halter show horses and they must be reg. AMHA/AMHR. I am also extremely picky who I buy from as I want someone who has the same morals/ ethics and care for thier horses as I do!

So no, horses are not based on a $1000 base limit and like anywhere you are going to have people who sells the pet quality for show/breeding (either ignorance or otherwise).

Cheers

Masako

 

[Genie]

Speaking for myself. . . . .

Must be small, (30 or under)excellent conformation, colour (pinto/appie/buckskin/cremello/perlino)AMHA or double.

Must be exactly what I want or I will not bother.

If the horse is $100.00 and is not what I want, I would not buy.

It costs me 25.00 to 35.00 a month to feed one mini horse and that does not include farrier, vet, shavings,stable boy, heat, hydro,water, and all the cleaning supplies to prepare for shows, plus equipment for shows, so the horse is an investment that affects my purse monthly.

Prices are dropping and also, many Canadians seem to be going to the taller horses, but to me, "miniature means miniature".

Unfortunately the U.S.Market is prohibitive pricewise, due to our weak dollar and then shipping on top.

I have purchased from Pennsylvania and Missouri last year, but the dollar was better.

My costs are 560.00 a month for the joy of miniature horses so I need excellent horses having exceptional babies to "cut my losses"

 

[Reble]

Must agree with Genie, prices are dropping, a lot of herd dispersals, and cutting back in their numbers, with job loss.

Shipping

our dollar

Double registered with me is a must.

Yes, a lot have gone with the taller ones, but not me, I would have stayed with my registered Paso Fino if I wanted to stay with the taller ones.

Colour and Fillies still sell faster. Hope this helps.

[SIZE=18pt]Welcome to the Forum[/SIZE]

 

[midnight star stables]

I'd say as long as it's AMHR then your good to sell!

I've bought horses from ID and PA - both were only AMHR.

I've been looking at horses in WA now that are AMHR and some AMHR/AMHA.

Besides, there is a market for a nice horse, no matter the area.

 

[midnight star stables]

With the internet today, Location means nothing. For a couple of hundred dollars more, I could potentially buy a WAY better horse, so why wouldn't I?

Some breeder, as stated above, still want AMHR/AMHR. HOWEVER, that said, you go to any AMHR Sanctioned breed show in Ontario and over 60% of the horses there are B size. In the show ring B is the new sliced bread. AMHR and AMHR/ASPC are becoming very popular.

There are No AMHA shows that I know of in Canada.

So we are not that different from you, just keep quality and AMHR in mind.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

I can't really offer advice on what is going to be the most popular in eastern canada but out here in the west IMO, the AMHA horses still have it over the R horses (and we DO have sanctioned shows her BTW, western Canada is still Canada and there are at least 4 that come to mind immediately, I'm sure there are others) And pintos and solids are more popular than appies. Location does count in those areas and if she is in Ontario then the market will be some what different than here in BC. That said I agree that fillies/mares do sell better than colts/stallions/geldings but a nice horse will always stay marketable and being registered in at least AMHA or AMHR (both is excellent since the market then expands) is needed to ensure saleability. Right now unregistered minis in this area are hard to give away.

BTW Welcome to the forum

 

[Filipowicz Farm]

We have sold many horses to people in Canada. One family bought amha/amhr horses Several familes have bought our AMHR horses one was 35 in height and the one going this week will stay under 34 and is 1/2 Shetland. We also have sold aspc/amhr horses. I belevie Canadians like Americans are looking for horses with good conformation, temperament and movement. Many are also looking for color also. The double registered Shetland is becoming popular in Canada also.

 

[SaddleTrail]

I would love to have a free mini here in Calif. On craigslist alone they are still going from $500.00 to $1500. or more and that is for non registered minis.

I am not into showing, I just love minis and wish to have at least 2 more right now. I would like to train for therapy horses, so the reg is not important to me. Nor do I wish to breed, so it doesnt matter if stud or mare. Doesnt have to be a certain color, sire, dam. Just a sweet trainable mini who loves to be loved on.

 

[EAD Minis]

I can't really offer advice on what is going to be the most popular in eastern canada but out here in the west IMO, the AMHA horses still have it over the R horses (and we DO have sanctioned shows her BTW, western Canada is still Canada and there are at least 4 that come to mind immediately, I'm sure there are others) And pintos and solids are more popular than appies. Location does count in those areas and if she is in Ontario then the market will be some what different than here in BC. That said I agree that fillies/mares do sell better than colts/stallions/geldings but a nice horse will always stay marketable and being registered in at least AMHA or AMHR (both is excellent since the market then expands) is needed to ensure saleability. Right now unregistered minis in this area are hard to give away.
BTW Welcome to the forum

I have noticed that!! I wish we had AMHA shows here, alot of the smaller breeders would appreciate it I think.

 

[Kendra]

Canada's a really big country. As such, your answers are going to vary based on region!

Here in Alberta we have 4 AMHA sanctioned shows annually, 1 with AMHR as well, and several more next door in BC. So AMHA would be priority for many people here. We also have some really big driving and gelding classes.

 

[Sunny]

If you take a look at the Lil Beginnings Canadian sale board (see the link at the top of this page) and the Classifieds page on the Miniature Horse Club of Ontario website at www.mhco.ca , you'll have a pretty good look at "the tip of the iceberg" of what's available up here in terms of prices, registries, colours, styles, etc. in various regions of the country. Same as anywhere else, good horses always sell. As mentioned already above, the Canadian dollar is rather weak again, so we have to add roughly 20% to the purchase price to make the exchange. Not so good for us, but great for Americans who want to buy Canadian and "save" at least 20%!

 

[Mona]

Hi there...welcome to the forum! I feel that in ONTARIO, there is a stronger demand ofr horses that are at the very least, AMHR registered, because all the sanctioned shows here are AMHR shows. My entire herd is AMHR registered, with some being double registered with AMHA also. I prefer to have the double registered horses, as that way, you can cover a larger horizon in sales opportunities.

 

[Club Mini]

Thanks everyone for all the great info! I will be doing some more research...but opinions/advice is always helpful!

Thanks Again!!

Nella

 

[MiLo Minis]

I don't find a great deal of difference between the Canadian and American market. Just as you have there, we have ones here that prefer smaller or larger, double registered A, R or PC. Quality horses are still going for quality prices here just as in your country. The market on a whole is becoming slightly more knowledgeable both here and in your country. There is still a market for "pet quality" in both countries and plenty of horses in both countries to fill that niche

There is a growing market for high quality show horses here with the growth in number of our shows which is maybe the one small difference.

With the accessibility of the internet I shop all over the continent with some regard to the cost of shipping. For the "right" horse though, there is no border. There are many farms in Canada breeding very high quality horses and with the American dollar at such an advantage you Americans should be taking a look north!

 

[Amy]

With the internet today, Location means nothing. For a couple of hundred dollars more, I could potentially buy a WAY better horse, so why wouldn't I?
Some breeder, as stated above, still want AMHR/AMHR. HOWEVER, that said, you go to any AMHR Sanctioned breed show in Ontario and over 60% of the horses there are B size. In the show ring B is the new sliced bread. AMHR and AMHR/ASPC are becoming very popular.

There are No AMHA shows that I know of in Canada.

So we are not that different from you, just keep quality and AMHR in mind.

There are no AMHA shows in Ontario -- but there are AMHA shows out West -- AMHA is very popular there as well as AMHR.