What Are The Going Prices For Miniature Horses?

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Racheal I think you are on the right track researching and looking. I have bought almost all my horses on payments from many across the country so that might be an option for you. I say go look and visit some local breeders see what they have and who else they might be able to refer you to

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[Tapestry Minis]

I too sold a very nice pinto filly sired by a 3x Reserve National Champion out of a Bond Snippet/Rowdys Standing Ovation granddaughter for $1500 as a yearling and she was 29" when we measured her. The deals are out there you just gotta look.

Another think you need to think about is a horses gustation is 11 months, give or take. You also certainly can't count your foals before they've hatched. We were expecting 3 this year one mare came open in January, one aborted at 9 months, and the last had her foal very early and we lost it. Leaving us with nothing to show for this year.

I was in your shoes once before. Thinking I would make a quick buck...I soon learned that would never happen and all I want to do now is improve the breed. Have beautiful babies. The reason to breed anything wether is be dogs, cats, horses, ferrets....etc.....should be to improve the breed first and formost. Not to flood the already drowning population. JMHO

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[Rachel K]

I have contacted Timberview Miniature Appaloosas and I am now waiting to hear back from them. In my opinion their horses are beautiful in both conformation and coloration. I would love to buy a filly from them this year and see if maybe we can make a deal payment wise. And I have actually been contacted by several of the members here on Lil Beginnings as well.

I have decided to aim towards quality rather then non quality. Even if it doesn't mean high show standard quality. And I don't expect to make any money, I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I know that raising animals of any breed really isn't a profitable business. Some years you invest more then you make and some years you might actually come out ahead, but most of the money that you make through yearly sales goes back into your herd. I own Dairy goats, and even though I don't breed them, I still understand the non profitable circle. Most people, including me, just do it because of their love for animals. And the animals do help pull their weight with the yearly sales of their off spring.

 

[wpsellwood]

Just take your time and dont rush into the first one you see you buy. Do some shopping thats the funniest part! This lady lives in Nebraska and has some nice horses for sale. http://www.redstonefarm.net if you need any help just ask. Quality is always better then quanity

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[sdmini]

I will echo the sentament of if you look you can find quality close to your price range.

Before you start looking it's best to refine what you are searching for. Do you want a baby or something bred/breeding age? Are associations going to be important to you? (AMHR, AMHA, ASPC or some combination) What certain style of horse catches your eye the most? What mature size are you wanting? Most importantly how much you can comfortably spend.

Another option is Webster City Miniature Horse Sale. This will be Belle's last sale and you can check out the listings by going to the site. The sale is usually attended by some very good farms (buying and selling) so go mingle. Sherburn MN also puts on a sale, May 5th at the I-90 Expo Center.

There are sharks in the water in the industry and they seem to smell "newbie" blood so I would say who you buy from, at least the first time, is just as important as what you buy. I've seen people leave the miniature world after they found out their "high dollar" horses were just average horses with an inflated price. More money does not always make a horse better!

Another good place to start looking at websites it Clubs.

Minnesota Miniature Club

South Dakota Miniature Equine Club

Enjoy window shopping. It's easy, doesn't cost a dime and will help you refine what your looking before you buy.

 

[Ashley]

You could get lucky and run across dispersals. Like I know somebody selling out because of health reasons. All horses are AMHR part or experianced broodmares some are young stock that have never been bred. Prices starting at $300.

You can always find them if you search hard enough. I sold a horse this past summer for $600, AMHR HOF Halter, only shy one driving stake to finish that up. So they are out there.

I would really avoid just breeding pet quality as your not going to advance your herd. Chances are you will get pet quality from pet quality.

It also depends on how bad the people want to sell. I am trying to sell my yearling colt right now, only because I need to have him gelded to keep him around and he isnt fully down. Haveing space issues with two boys. I would love to keep and show him as I think he will do awsome, just dont want another stallion. I cant even sell him for $200.

And lastly just because you see a low price doesnt mean they are bad horses. I think to many people think the price reflects the quality of the horse. Just like you can see some high prices on horses that are worth anything near that price.

 

[Jill]

Well, I am new now to breeding but not new to owning show quality miniatures.

My feeling is that it would be hard to make any money breeding pet quality miniatures when you factor in the expenses of maintaining the breeding animals even assuming foaling goes without any issues at all. If you breed a couple $500 horses to each other... you are going to get a $500 (or less even) foal most likely.

Also, I haven't read the responses but the "B" quality thing, just don't confuse that with B Division minis as the taller ones do have a market and a following. I personally LOVE B's but currently own only two -- a BTU son who is a gelding and a loud leopard mare.

I got my first mini in 1999 and do still actually own him (grew him into a driving gelding), but many of the other minis I purchased while just driving and then even showing turned out to not be what I personally would have felt great about breeding. So, those now have new owners and I've tried to put together stallions and mares that are quality and good matches to each other.

Remains to be seen what will be on the ground at my place next spring but look how long it took! It will be 9 years from the first time I decided to get a mini until when we are actually breeding for foals. I have so much to learn but I can say I know SO much more than I used to back when all I saw really was cute and color.

My advice to everyone is don't buy a mini and immediately decide you're going to be a breeder. That happens so often with the enthusiasts of this breed. Since it has evolved so much for me personally in terms of what I now value in a horse, I know it can be the same for others. I am sure what I am going to have next spring will be tremendously better than what I'd have had in 2000 if I just jumped into it blind like so many really do.

These little horses can live so long -- 30 years or more in some cases. To me, it's really important that I try and produce what I think is likely to be a quality animal especially when you factor in that there are already so many minis out there and being born every year. Only so many good homes to go around...

 

[Rachel K]

Do you want a baby or something bred/breeding age?

I would prefer a breedable or a bred mare but I also wouldn't mind a young filly.

Are associations going to be important to you? (AMHR, AMHA, ASPC or some combination)

If I raise show quality Miniature Horses, then yes, but if I just decide to go with some quality Miniature Horses instead, then no not really.

What certain style of horse catches your eye the most?

As in coloration? If so then it doesn't really matter. I do prefer some colors over others but all colors are beautiful in their own way.

What mature size are you wanting?

Preferably 34" or slightly under, but I suppose that I wouldn't mind a slightly larger horse.

Most importantly how much you can comfortably spend

Comfortably? Probably not over $650.00 at the highest.

I have been thinking about this a lot and I'm not sure if I want to venture into show quality Miniatures. Their beautiful and hold a lot of temptation, but I suppose that what I really want and have wanted all along is just some nice quality Miniature Horses. Maybe what I really want is just some as pets ... I do admit that I would still want to breed them however.

 

[CheyAut]

I think you should listen to what everyone has already said. You should wait and save up money so that you can afford a better horse, IMO. You also mentioned not caring if it's registered, but you want quality. Well, IMO, I won't buy a non-registered mini. I DO have 2 that aren't reg, and one is my BEST mini, but they're also geldings for a reason: I want to breed quality minis, and show them (even just for fun), and have a market for them... registered minis have a MUCH better market than non-reg.

IMO, you should save up for a good mini before breeding anything.

Jessi

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Ah... the age old question. How to make a fortune in horses... and you all know the answer! Start with two fortunes

I'm confused as to why you want to breed... what's wrong with enjoying the horses as they are? If you want pets... there are LOTS out there that need love. Why add to those numbers? There is obviously some reason you really are intregued by the thought of having your own foals. With all due respect to pet minis... mine certainly is, but if you want to breed breed for the best. Start with crap and you aren't going to get an improvement, and end up with crap foals that sell for $200. There is no profit in that, not even a little bit. The goal is to breed good to best and hopefully end up with something in-between, an improvement from the original.

 

[qtrrae]

Rachel,

You have received a lot of good information - there are a lot of gorgeous minis out there and half the fun is looking!

Many breeders will take payments, I know I would never have been able to get all the minis that I have if I wouldn't have had trusting sellers.

Good luck with your venture, it sounds like you are really doing your homework.

I have a feeling it won't be long and you will know the wonderful joy of being a mini owner.

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[nootka]

I wanted to check in and say I'm glad you're open to taking your time, doing your homework and making a better choice overall.

You WON'T be sorry you did it this way. Go to shows, join local clubs, and visit farms. You will get a far better feel for what's out there, and definitely think about any purchases (don't be pressured, that's just not cool of a seller to do that, and you as a buyer need to keep your convictions and not be swayed by pressure of any kind, it's a bad way to do business esp. when dealing with live animals).

Take care and keep us posted...we will all be here for you to help with questions, even those of us that have nothing to sell you.

That is the great part about this board.

Liz

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Start with crap and you aren't going to get an improvement, and end up with crap foals that sell for $200.

Hey now!!! I got a colt from an auction for $200, and although he does not have perfect confirmation, he is not a "crap colt".

: Everyone who has met my two, says that my "correct" filly is just the cutest thing...however, personality wise, everyone agrees that they would rather have my boy. He is just so sweet and mellow. My vet even told my husband and I that Gideon was the sweetest mini he has ever handled in his 30+ years of experience. On the outside...he isn't worth much, but on the inside...he is priceless!!!

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[Miniv]

You've received some EXCELLENT advice. Please re-read this thread you started.

I'm going to throw in my 2 cents too........... My husband and I bought our first mini in 1990 -- but only after we had researched for a year.

Before we bought, we visited farms within a day's driving radius, joined the local club, and joined one of the two national mini registries. We collected every bit of information we could get our hands on from all those sources.

Since you have already decided to get into breeding, I highly recommend that you look for a registered filly or mare. Look for the best quality you can afford -- this includes ones that you can buy with payments. Figure out what type of monthly payment you are comfortable with. Be sure to have everything in writing when you purchase.

I am going to be blunt here, so bear with me..........If you breed unregistered and poor quality, that is probably what you are going to get. The care costs will be the same and the vet costs will be the same as with a quality registered horse. In the end, you haven't done the breed - the horse - or yourself any favors.

And what was said before is very true.......Breeding is not for the faint of heart..... An adorable healthy foal is wonderful. But the process is highly stressful, and at SOME point you will experience heartbreak.

My post may sound harsh, but it is being written because I care.

MA

 

[Jean_B]

No one has addressed this issue...

If you are struggling to come up with $1,000 or even $800 -- have you thought about how you are going to:

* Feed your horses

* Worming

* Shelter

* Bedding (shavings or straw)

* Farrier

* Vet care - always count on a vet bill when you can least afford it

* Vaccinations

I always figure it costs me a minimum of $400 a year to correctly care for my horses - EACH...and that's if none get hurt or sick. Best to put the pencil to the paper and decide if you can afford to do this at all before you find out the hard way that it is going to cost you as much if not more than the original horse....each year.

 

[kmh]

Rachel,

I sent you a private message.

Steph

 

[miniwhinny]

I wish you luck with your mini's but there are other issues to consider...Buying more horses with the money from foal sales...My mare "Twoie" is a healthy mare, she's my only mare and has top quality care from day one with me. That didn't stop her loosing her baby a month ago and racking up a $6000 pushing $7000 vet bill (and she's still in treatment so who knows what it will end up being) I'd have to sell a lot of babies to put that back and that's providing I had no more vet bills in between.

If your goal is breeding I'd say get to know the breed, go to some shows and then save and save for the best you can buy so you are breeding good quality horses that help to better the breed.

Good luck and welcome.

Edited to say...plan a "care" plan for your horses too. Budget a set amount for each horse you own and set it aside in an interest account. After what happened to Twoie this year I've learned that the hard way. I will now (after I finish paying Twoies bill) always have a savings account put aside for vet bills for each horse I own.

Again...welcome and good luck, sounds like you are thinking everything through and that's awesome.

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[bevann]

Breeding is fun and lots of HEARTACHE.I have been breeding Minis for almost 20 years and have NEVER had a year when I didn't lost at least 1 foal and sometimes the mare too.I have NEVER MADE MONEY and NEVER EVEN BROKE EVEN.Fortunately,I have other income to support my horses.After almost 20 years I have decided to NOT BREED any mares for 2008 and sit back and just enjoy my Minis.I will see what happens next year.I have spent tons of money on trying to make a profit.It usually doesn't happen in horses.Just ask the IRS-that's why they are really checking on horse businesses.Look at Mini pet prices now.They are way down.Take it from somebody who has been there.You can't raise a Mini foal for $200-$300 and do it right with the care these animals need.There has been lots of good advice posted on here.My advice is to have enough cash in reserve(at least $1000 or more)for emergencies.It doesn't take long to run up a big vet bill if something bad happens.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Kanoas, I didn't mean you can't find diamonds for $200

Deacon was $250! And he's amazing. But that makes my point even greater... if you can find such wonders for that cheap, what happens when you end up with that crap colt? Makes it even harder

 

[horsehug]

Well this really has nothing to do with the topic here at all.

But I just can't go on any longer without saying........ I would NEVER refer to or "think of" ANY horse EVER as crap.

Susan O.