The Miniature Future

[LaVern]

I think that the future is bright for the Miniature Horse for many years to come. But I wonder what form it will take. Lets make some predictions for say 10- 20 years from now. Then maybe Mary Lou will put them in a bottle and open them up ten years from now to see if any of us nailed it.

It seems like yesterday that she started lil beginnings and it has now been over ten years. It goes so fast.

 

[Reble]

I think for me staying with the under 34" AMHA/AMHR will start to come around again in 5 years.

I have seen so much change in the taller size, more downsizing, or selling out.

Reasons from health, feed prices and of course jobs.

I sure hope we do not have to wait for 10-20 years

 

[MiLo Minis]

Well I might be dreaming but I see a more precise breed standard of perfection being set along the lines of an Arabian pony look because that seems to be the predominant look in the show ring today and is prevalent amongst the bigger farms now. I also see a change in the way we measure to measuring at the withers just like all the rest either grandfathering in the ones that are 38" at the last hair now OR increasing the size to 40" at the withers (which will still eliminate Kim's Hackney with its 9" withers!

) I do see the Miniature Horse becoming a breed of its own.

 

[willowoodstables]

Lori..

You crack me up LOLOLOL.

 

[MiLo Minis]

Lori..
You crack me up LOLOLOL.

Sorry couldn't resist the

 

[targetsmom]

OK, I will do some dreaming here.

I predict that dwarfism will be almost totally eliminated in 20 years, following the availability of a test and lots of education.

I predict that more minis will be appreciated for what they can DO, rather than how pretty or cute they are: This goes all the way from using them for equine assisted therapy and nursing home visits, to driven dressage and Combined Driving Events, and everything in between.

I can foresee more "big" horse people discovering minis as they struggle to pay feed bills and/or want to stay involved with horses but don't want the risks involved with riding (i.e. us Baby Boomers).

I would love to think that classes for miniature horses will be the norm at Open Shows, not the exception.

 

[Genie]

We went shopping for our first registered miniature horses in 1990 paying 3500.00 for a yearling filly that matured at 36 inches and 2800.00 for a second yearling filly that matured around 37 inches ..

If we wanted a smaller miniature then, they ranged from 5000.00 to 35000.00.

Stud service for these two mares was 800.00 plus mileage back to their farm. To buy a shetland at that time would have been a few hundred ...tops.

Over the years I have seen the demise of the bigger miniature and the demand for the smaller.

In the past couple of years the swing is now moving back to the taller horses which I guess are AMHR/ASPC horses with people asking pretty big prices and getting them I hear.

I believe then that like any market, we will see over the next 10 to 20 years the move to the bigger miniatures/shetlands with those people who are selling them right now getting a good price, and with those in at the end, getting the low dollar.

Around here we can buy excellent small AMHA/AMHR horses very reasonably now, so like the stock market, now is the chance to buy low and hang on till the pendulum returns, and they start to be in demand.

With the retiring population getting older due to remaining in the work force longer, then for those retirees that are looking for a retirement hobby, the old bones will not be too fond of the bigger horse.

 

[Littleum]

In 20 years I think we will have identified the root cause(s) of dwarifsm, and be on track to controlling it. I don't believe it will ever be eliminated.

I think there will be huge fall out when the dwarfism tests come out. I don't think it's going to be a pretty scene when a conclusive test is developed and people are faced with painful ethical choices.

I think there will be an increasing shift towards Miniatures that "do"

I suspect there will be big changes to how we measure- probably in the form of a 1/4"-1/2" allowance.

I also suspect there toe-length mandates may come into effect to stop people from filing horses down to bloody nubs to make height.

I don't think balding will ever go away. I do think perhaps removing eyelashes will be banned.

I think there will be an increasing shift towards Ammies like myself, who just keep a couple of show horses and don't really get terribly involved in the breeding end of things.

I see the "mini mill" backyard breeder problem getting worse.

I do see our market share decreasing unless we can address the middle market issues facing the breed. Since no one wants to acknowledge there is even a middle market issue, it'll just get worse.

 

[~Lisa~]

LIttleum I could not have said it any better myself

 

[LaVern]

I agree, that the importance of testing for for the dwarf gene will be a great asset to us. I can see buyers wanting it done before they buy. I also think that a horse or pony will have to be parent qualified before it will sell.

I think that pedigree and horses that produce certain desirable characteristics- whatever they may be-will be in demand. I think that there will still be different types, but certain farms will be more noted for certain looks.

I think that the height thing will be less and less important and that the closing of the AMHA will have a profound influence on the industry.