REAL Photo's of 20" Mini

[MiniHoofBeats]

You have been posting all along about how perfect this little mini is, but now when we ask to see the pictures you tell us you would rather not show them, because you are afraid of what people might say or think???

Please read back again (other photo post), I have never once claimed for myself that this little guy is PERFECT =) I said his owners and the lady Heidi who was looking at him, both claim he is the most correct, tiny little stallion they have ever seen! And I said over and over that I do hope he IS a correct, tiny stallion =)

I am not "afraid" of what people may say or think, I originally started this thread to see what people DO think of him...I just don't think it would be fair to me, or this stallion, for people to judge him based on his baby photo's.

I will post his baby photo's, but I was really hoping not to get judgement on him until I receive his current photo's. Whatever way, he is just a doll to me, I can't wait to see him in person!!! I can't wait to brush his hair and spend time with him =) Just get him HERE lol!!! Oct. 21st slowly creeping up!

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I included this here again because I truly want people to keep open opinions until his RECENT photo's arrive! Please let me know what you think of his BABY photo's, but also keep your opinion open for when his adult ones arrive. He is so gosh darned cute in these though =) The red bucket for size reference is one of those 12" standard water buckets. I love the third fuzzy photo of him =)

Any guesses on if he is a weanling, or a yearling? I am judging by his tail length that he is a weanling, almost a year...

Pucker up! Kiss kiss!

Hmm, what's in here???

I'm Queen!...err...King!

I hope you all enjoy, and I hope this puts an end to those of you who think I am "afraid" to post his photo's...remember, I like him no matter what he is, he is gentle and perfect for what I want to use him for here and he just sounds like a true angel =)

p.s. remember, this person he is standing next to could also be very short! Just a thought!

 

[nootka]

Well, he is cute, that is a given.

I will say, however, that he is 100% a dwarf. I don't even know how old/young he is in the pics, but if he was indeed under 6 months in the photos, it is likely he looks a lot "less" cute and more deformed, though no less lovable.

I think it's pretty commendable that you rose to the challenge and posted the pictures of him. I do hope he has a long and happy life no matter what you choose to do regarding him. It doesn't look as though his legs are too awfully bad, but again, he could have changed a lot and depending on how he's been managed, this could be different.

Going by my own observations, I would guess in the photos that he would be around 6 months of age just by tail length, which would also be out of proportion b/c his limb length would not have grown as expected. His tail looks about like my young colt Kyan's and he's 8 months now.

Your guy is, on the other hand, quite small and if he's got the temperament and constitution, then I would guess he's just the right guy for the job.

Liz M.

 

[tiny zebra]

Deformed? What are you seeing that looks deformed? His legs don't look too crooked, probably nothing that a decent trimming of his feet wouldn't correct, at least at the time these pics were taken. These pics don't show if he has the short neck, underbite, big belly or anything else dwarfy other than he's tiny. Maybe things have changed since these were taken but he doesn't look "deformed" to me. Did I miss something?

As the PROUD owner of 2 wonderful dwarfs, I commend you for taking him on even if he is a dwarf! Just please don't breed him if there is any doubt.

 

[nootka]

Listen, I didn't say he was "deformed" (I said as he ages he will become more so, sorry to be confusing!) though he is slightly for a young horse. His head is large, his nostrils are placed high and close (a classic dwarf symptom), his belly is huge (and not in a way that looks like it was poor nutrition), his back looks roached and his neck short, also his limbs twist slightly and this will likely get worse with age as he grows because this is, typically, what happens to dwarfs as they grow disproportionately.

I am not trying to be nasty, just saying what my observations are, and it is a "pet" project of mine. I am no expert, just fairly good at seeing symptoms even though they are slight. I may err on the side of caution, but if this guy is young in these photos, he is most certainly looking more dwarfy in his "new" photos. Steffanie is not trying to deny that he may be a dwarf, she is just holding out hope that he won't be. I am not saying he could not possibly be perfect (for what she wants), but he is afflicted with symptoms of dwarfism.

Since he is going to be a therapy animal, it is really of no consequence as long as she's committed to keeping him healthy and sound (and it sounds like she is). If I were to think of breeding him, though, I would be very deluded to think it would be a good idea just based on observation of ONE of these symptoms I have mentioned in the photos. It is NOT angle, nor poor nutrition nor hair that is causing me to "not see" his perfection or lack of symptoms. He has them.

I do know there are those that don't agree w/the "degree" of dwarfism or where the line between "cute" and "deformed" comes in, but I"m trying to be clinical rather than emotional. I know they are worthy of love and have a purpose, however I also try not to be clouded by these issues when I try to plan breedings for my own herd, or evaluate others who ask for my opinion.

I've been observing dwarf miniatures for over 16 years now, and visiting herds that contained them, before I owned Miniature horses, and not that it is something I do daily, it is just a pet research project I have. I have an extensive folder of photos of sires and dams of dwarfs, also offspring, and the variously afflicted from the mild to the severe. I am interested in it only because it affects this breed of horse I care about and breed myself.

I am sorry if I offended anyone. I think Steffanie is very brave in asking, and I gave my opinion. It is only that. I may in fact be wrong, but I stand behind it.

Liz M.

 

[outlawridge]

Thank you for posting the baby photos of this most adorable little man. And I commend you for being conscientous enough to try and get advice and thoughts from many others who love, have experience, an are involved with miniature horses. This just shows that you are a willing and dedicated caretaker of the animals you may share your life with.

I will keep my thoughts to myself until you receive more recent pix and can share them with us, but I want to THANK YOU for having such a big, warm, accepting, and loving heart. I think this wee one will give it back to you ten-fold

:

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

I appreciate what was said so far, Nootka, you did a great job of explaining yourself and I do appreciate your opinion, being an owner of 2 dwarfs yourself!

I don't have any other mini's, and most likely wont for the next 5 years at least...so he wont be used for breeding regardless, just a loving pet and help going around town and showing people the gentle temperment that most mini's are naturally born with =)

I can see this is already going to be very opinionated, whether he looks like he has dwarf characteristics or just gangly weanling photo's...his recent photo's are the ones that will tell for sure, and I am anxious to see those! I still haven't got a hold of the owners but I will do that tomorrow, and we'll see when I can get recent photo's. If I can't get them anytime soon, i'll at least be able to take GOOD photo's (my kind of good) to show all of you when he arrives!

Thank you again for your opinions, I do still have hope that he is normal...but again, loved either way =)

Mary Lou, what do you mean by not ever worked? I just want to bring him to elderly homes, schools, meet the disabled, etc...what do you mean by "worked" ?? Just so I know, thanks!

 

[Seashells]

Thanks for sharing his photos. He's so cute. He looks proud with that tiara. Poor little guy is out there right now...not knowing he's been targeted for opinions and admirers. It's just nice knowing he's headed towards a loving home. Lucky little guy.

 

[littlearab]

: I'm confussed..

This is that not a dwarf?? All one has to do is look at his legs in the last photo to see. If he is only a long weanling in that photo. One must just not be looking to see how short his legs ar to his body... at an age where they should longest. I would not have to see up dated photos, i can see it form the one posted.

In any case I see allot of conformaniton faults in him..

When you take him to show people do not say he is a perfect miniature.. I do not mean to be &&^%^$ here, but it is a real problem IMHO when people who have never seen a miniautre horse before are shown a dwarf and told it's a MINIATURE horse...

Please tell people he is a dwarf..not a miniature horse.

No flames please....

 

[nootka]

Whoops, I didn't mean to mislead. I don't have two dwarfs, I think that was a different poster.

I have, however, unintentionally bred a foal or two that I think had dwarf tendencies/mild characteristics, and culled them by selling them to pet homes.

Again I commend you for being open minded and I will also be interested in seeing his mature photos. Just giving my opinion based on a long time of seeing a LOT of different types and degrees of minis with dwarf symptoms.

Liz M.

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

No problems =) I am off to bed, 1am here! But I will inform everyone tomorrow when updated photo's should be in!

Thanks for all your help! I would rather know now that he is a dwarf, than to know later on, expecting him to be correct!

 

[sedeh]

When I saw the head shot of that little cutie with a tiara.....well it looks a lot like my little cutie Buddy.

Buddy is a dwarf and is very special. I commend you on wanting to give your little cutie a good home. Buddy would love to go to nursing homes....I'm just worried about the liability. Kids love Buddy and he will stand for ever if they give him attention. I explain to everyone that Buddy is not a normal mini and what his problems are. Everyone still loves him, as do I!

I do believe your little guy will prove to be a minimal dwarf. Doesn't mean he isn't perfect for what you want to do. Good luck with him. :bgrin

 

[fantacsix]

[SIZE=14pt][/SIZE]From what I can see is he does have Dwarf Characteristics. I had a 24" 2 year old and he was "perfect" Tiny refined head, nice legs, Loooong neck but he was extremely cow holcked! Found out that he was gelded by his new owners because he was indeed a dwarf. The colt you are talking about and in his pictures appears to look the same. It does seem he has one loving home full of lots of pampering! Allison

 

[Jill]

He was a cute baby! I do think he's a dwarf, though. To my eyes, there's not anyway he's not a dwarf but he is very, very cute.

If he were mine, I'd enjoy him more as a gelding and he'd probably be a lot less frustrated as such (and I've gelded show stallions), however, the reason we all have our OWN horses is so that we can enjoy them as we see fit.

I will be interested to see current pictures of your boy and I know you will give him a lot of love

:

 

[Robin1]

I have to agree, he is a dwarf. I have seen what appeared to be adorable, tiny foals that looked very similar to him. As they age you start to see more deformaties. There seems to be a big change at about a year.

He is very cute. Lots of love and hugs to you both.

:

Robin

 

[Songcatcher]

Am I missing something here or am I the only one who IS getting it. If I am reading these multiple threads correctly, this horse has NOT been purchased yet. If that is the case, it is totally against the Forum rules to be posting his pictures and asking for evaluations of him.

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

He is very cute, but I'm sorry to say, that I'd have to go with the estimate of dwarfism. The first two pix above made me wonder, but the last one capped it.

I have had two dwarfs in my long breeding career & those horses that produced them are no longer with me. (lost in the fire, but going to be retired from breeding anyway because of dwarf genes.)

The foals that had turned out to be dwarfs were the cutest things on earth. They were SUPER tiny, of course, but SUPER SUPER cute. They looked like live plush animals. As adorable as possible scampering around. I've been told, and believe it's true, that somehow the dwarf foals have some sort of magical attraction. They are the cutest in the world.

I gave the first one away to a very good friend.....no charge. The second I charged a minimal amouint for, just so it had a good home. It was a minimal dwarf & could be used for the purpose the new owner had in mind and that wasn't/isn't breeding.

Back to the horse that's almost yours: As I said, dwarfs are some of the cutest babies in the world. But as they age, however, it seems the dwarf characteristics intensify. The head becomes more prominent, the neck shorter, the legs splayed perhaps, the belly bigger, the nostrils more noticable & bigger. It can take time for a horse to look like a full-blown dwarf. But then there's no mistaking it. They morph as they age.

When I gave that first baby away, it broke my heart. I wasn't even sure she was a dwarf. OMG....so cute it was unreal.....but that's just it.....she was unreal for what she was. The friend I gave her to knew dwarfs well & assured me, yes, it was a dwarf. I saw this little baby again about a year later...........OMG.... deformed big time. She had only aged a year, but looked like a whole different horse. Happy, but a unmistakenly a dwarf.

I would only advise you to do as you are, getting opinions from those who know. But I'd also tell you to NOT make any decision based on old pix. The seller is at least being honest with you by telling they are old pix. But, insist on new ones that show every angle you want to see. And here's my best advice: DO NOT part with one penny until you are sure this is the little guy for you. If it is, I wish you the very best of luck & tons of fun & love for years. But, be careful, that's all. -- karen

Oh, and gelding a horse doesn't mean slow and lifeless.......it means a used-to-be boy will have something on his mind besides GIRLS!

:

 

[vvf]

Am I missing something here or am I the only one who IS getting it. If I am reading these multiple threads correctly, this horse has NOT been purchased yet. If that is the case, it is totally against the Forum rules to be posting his pictures and asking for evaluations of him.

I think Steffanie has put a deposit on this little boy. and is getting him next month.

I agree with everyone else, i too think he is a dwarf. But a cute little guy who is going to a great home.

 

[Southern_Heart]

Hi All, :saludando:

Instead of jumping the gun here on these baby pictures of this 7 yr old stallion. I think it would be more appropriate to wait and see the mini as he looks now.

:

The pictures of this baby are really not good pictures at all and you really can not judge any horse from a picture taken way above him looking down at him. :no: Also the picture of him in the winter hair doesn't do any good. Heck my show horses don't look good in winter coats! :lol:

I would wait and see what he looks like now before giving any opinion.

:

Just because he is small, doesn't mean he is a dwarf.

:

Minihoofbeats, I wish you the best with this lil guy. At least he will be loved by you and your family! Thats all that counts.

:

Joyce

Edited because of spelling

 

[backwoodsnanny]

I am also confused I too thought it was against forum policy to critique any horse that one doesnt own. Even if a deposit has been made this does not make the poster the owner. For the record though I dont see why it matters since dwarf or not it seems he will have a forever home which I thought was the most important thing. I know the poster originally asked what everyone thought opening this up for discussion but if the intention is to use him for an ambassador then his temperment and calmness are much more important than how he looks. Mini hoofbeats once you own him and he is doing service work post his pic again. and opinions will be more favorable. JMO

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

I apologize, I didn't realize that you weren't allowed to post photo's of a horse if all you have sent was a deposit? To me that means the horse has been purchased but I do see how it also means just put on hold...Mary Lou didn't mention anything when she posted so I will just assume that things are okay for now?

I really did want everyones opinions on whether this little guy was a dwarf, or a true tiny stallion...this to me is different from posting photo's of a mini you've seen in a pasture, and asking if the conformation is correct before you buy it. This is a big decision to me, and now I need to find out just HOW dwarfed this little guy is, because I do have a limit on money I can spend...care, feed, farrier, etc. is no problem at all, an occasional vet emergency is no problem at all, but there is some place that I have to draw the line and I need to tell myself that so I don't fall in love again, just to rehome because of expenses.

Does anyone think I should put a stop payment on my deposit for this boy until I see current photo's of him? I woke up this morning with the funny feeling in my gut that I should...I didn't hear back from his owners last night and I called and left a message on their cell at 5pm, so I know they received my message...maybe even received my e-mail too requesting current photo's of PeeWee. Now everyone has me on red alert that these people may not be as honest as I thought! And they DID tell this other lady, Heidi, that these were photo's of PeeWee taken "just last year" she asked them a couple times just to make sure and she said that is what they told her. I wonder if they have something to hide?

Well, i'm going to call them agian today and hopefully get an answer on photo's!