Those of you with miniatures..

[ponygirltx]

Know what you mean about those tall horses Margo. I raised a quarter horse from a weanling and he was in really poor shape when we got him. Thought for sure he was going to stunned. Well to make a long story short, at the age of 4 he was 15.3 hds, ugh, so much for my stunned colt, lol.

Rode him for a year but darn I'm short, he was tall, so Amigo went to the Border Patrol Horse Patrol and is a full fledge agent now for the Government.

Thank goodness my two paint mares have matured out at 14.3 and 15 hds.

Jamie

 

[Boss Mare]

I'm late on answering to this post, but before Miniature Horses I was actively involved with riding.

I started riding when I was four/almost five years old. Neither of my parents are "horsey", but I had a desire to be around horses ever since I figured out what they were. Finally when we moved to a more rural area I begged for riding lessons and a horse of my own. I began riding and quickly began showing in lead-line, equitation, walk, walk/trot, walk/trot/canter -- the simple English pleasure rail type classes. When I was older and got some more experienced I moved up to hunter and jumper.

The judges loved me and I was always in ribbons. I have very few ribbons that are not a champ., reserve, 1st or 2nd. I even had other trainers and riding instructors ask to sponsor me or ask me to transfer over to their team.

FINALLY, My parents felt at age 12 I was ready to have a horse of my very own. I had dreams of a tall, young, hot headed Thoroughbred, Warmblood or something else along those lines. To make a long story short I ended up with a 40+ year old, mixed breed, 13.2hh. pony that we ended up rescuing from slaughter. Samson definitely wasn't what I had dreamed of or expected as a first horse, but if you ask me I wouldn't have traded him for the highest value show horse out there. That little horse taught me so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Not only did I learn a lot about horse care, but he taught me a lot about myself as well. Sadly, he is no longer with us but his memories will be cherished forever.

When I got Samson I quit showing completely. I also stopped taking riding lessons and I wasn't on a horse for several months until I bought my Thoroughbred gelding, but I still never showed. I also bought a Paint filly as a weanling and started her under saddle myself.

Unfortunately, I don't own any large horses now. I do hope to in the near future. I would love to get back into showing (Miniature and/or big horses), but I'm still trying to justify if it's worth it.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I don't ride anymore, I've had M.E for 17yrs and slowly lost the ability to grip. After my Arab mare turned herself inside out to walk me home ( couldn't get off, couldn't walk, couldn't grip, kept slipping!!) I decided it wasn't fair on her and stopped. She was such a 100% genuine animal, but walking was not in her natural vocabulary!! I bought a Sec B Welsh foal, thinking I might manage her, but the Arab raised her and, altho' I did get her saddle trained, she was too much for me too. Do not wish to offend anyone but most of the riding horse I see I would not put my leg over !! Once you've ridden an Arab you don't go back. The mare was put down a few years back and the Welsh mare's gone to Pony Club, where she is doing all the mad things she loves with kids who are fearless. Mind you, I keep looking at my 38" mare and thinking, 'she should be saddle and harness trained, she's wasted as a broodmare' Maybe, maybe!!!