What do you do with them?

[Calekio]

I've only had minis for just over 4 yrs now... but i really couldn't imagine my life without them now!

I do get the same as others 'Why do you have them? You can't ride them?' Well no, thats true... but oddly enough when i had a ridden one and minis as well... i'd ride maybe once a month and it was something i 'had' to do... not what i wanted to do!

Where as ask me to take one of the minis out for a walk or long rein down the bridle path... sure no problems, love to!

I have 3 little rescues as well that are 'no good for anything' bless them, get asked a lot why i have them... well my reason being.. Because i want to! lol I love my boys and wouldn't trade the world for them, i can cuddle up in the stable with them and fall asleep with there head on my pillow with me.... i'll tell you what.. i wouldn't do that with a big one for fear of being sqashed!

:

A lot of people who don't own minis won't know the joy a little person can bring, i know when i first got my 2 i thought' what will i do with them?'.. now my life wouldn't be the same without my tiny equine friend!

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

What they give us everyday is much more than we give them. :aktion033:
To heck with those that don't understand the desire to be around animals, in most cases they are people I don't want to be around anyway. LOL

:

EXACTLY!!!!

I never would have thought that a bunch of "strangers" all over the world could end up feeling more like family than my own family at times, but they feel that way because we share something that is a very basic part of who we are that I just don;t share with my "real" family.

that's exactly how i feel! i can't wait to get on this forum, and my big horse riding forum, and see who's doing what. and when i talk about stories i have read on the forums to my family or friends, i always start off "i have a friend who..."

i was not fortunate to have pets growing up, my dad was raised on a dairy and to him animals = work so we were only allowed one dog the whole time i was growing up... now i say it's all HIS fault i have what i have, i am overcompensating for my deprived childhood LOL. unfortunately my husband is not really an animal lover, but he does pretty well tolerating what i have and helping out when he can (his health is an issue - severe allergies). he does want me to cut down but understands that it is my decision who stays and who goes, and that it will take time to find the right home for the ones who need to move on... although we have had the same discussion about my pony a dozen times or more - HIM "'why don't you get rid of that useless pony" - ME "she is not useless, i will find her a job (teaching her to drive) but she is STAYING!" i fell in love with her the second i saw her, never thought the lady would sell her but a few months later she called me, did i still want the pony... my kids have broke her to ride but i am too big, and now they are too big, but she holds a piece of my heart and i can't explain it or change it. in fact i just got a mini gelding that could be her "mini-me", he looks exactly like her just add a snip and a ***** LOL... and i am keeping him too, no matter how much flak i get from hubby and kids about having too many. they ARE my therapy and i would rather spend time with them than most people... i love my husband and kids but there are times they aggravate or annoy me or make me unhappy or angry... and the dogs, horses, donkeys and mules are there for me! do i need ALL the ones i have... well, probably not, (in fact i freely admit that it was never my intention to have TEN dogs, it just kinda happened LOL...) BUT they are here and each one is special in it's own right, for as long as they are here they will be loved and cared for, and i will enjoy each and every one of them.

as for answering that infamous question, i am happy to do it, spread the word, share the love, and educate the idiots LOL. minis can do anything a big horse can do - including ride if the human is small enough (we use some of ours for birthday party pony rides as well as visitng a special needs preschool every year). we also do visits to retirement homes. none of mine drive right now but someday when i have time...

 

[susanne]

I gave my smart alec answer to these people earlier, but now I need to add...

Not everyone, including family, is truly being nasty when they say such things, even when they sound quite critical. Often they're envious of the joy you have in your life, since many people cannot allow themselves to be happy.

Keith and I are they crazy ones in our family...the dreamers who would rather pursue music, art and our animals rather than do all the things that "adults" are supposed to do. We shocked everyone by selling our house in town and moving to the sticks (and living in a mobile home -- unbelievable!).

While some members of the family act as if they wish we'd grow up, I know that we play a VERY important role in their lives. THEY may not feel able to follow their dreams, but they have someone who does it for them. They may need to be practical, but they have a sister who held out for her childhood wish to have horses. They may have to act and look conservative for their jobs, but they have a long-haired guitarist for a brother-in-law. We're their token flakes!

Sometimes we need to simply smile and encourage them to see things this way. Tell them:

"I know, it probably seems crazy to anyone else, but my animals make me unbelievably happy and I intend to enjoy my life."

If, on the other hand, they continue to be nasty about your love of animals, remember that you get to go home to your warm fuzzies, while they're stuck with their own miserable selves!

 

[Lisa Strass]

I'm pretty lucky in that my immediate family (mom, dad, brothers) all grew up with me and have known I've been a horse nut from the beginning.

: And as long as I pay my bills, and have a steady job to support the horse habit, I think they are actually happy for me.

My husband is also an animal lover, but his family / friends don't understand as well. I know a few of them think we have too many, don't "need" that many, or if we didn't have them, we'd be able to do other things. But what they don't realize is that the horses are what we want to spend our time on/with!

 

[AppyLover2]

I've just read all the wonderful replies on this "what can I say" thread and all of you have come up with perfect answers to that question.

Instead of saying to yourself "Since when is it childish to want to care for animals and enjoy being around them ? The animals is the only thing that I have and they are part of who I am , I wish my parents could just see that." Say it to them! It's a perfectly respectful and heartfelt comment. And...they just might get the message.

I think a lot of people do the "I shoulda said" thing when comments are made and we have time later to come up with the perfect answer....after it's too late. But as many times as we're asked what we do with them I'm sure most of us have come up with great answers. We just gotta use 'em. We can change our "I shoulda said" list to "I'm gonna say" list.

Ummm maybe I need to start writing down those snappy replies.

:

Just gotta add that I laughed out loud when I read the one about the ugly bothers. LOL

 

[Warpony]

We can change our "I shoulda said" list to "I'm gonna say" list.

Ummm maybe I need to start writing down those snappy replies.

:

Just gotta add that I laughed out loud when I read the one about the ugly bothers. LOL

:bgrin :bgrin

I've been known to call people days later and say, "Remember when you said 'blahblahblah' the other day? Well, It just occurred to me that I shoulda said..."

hehehe. I'm sure when that happens they think I am nuts but *shrug* so what. It gives them all something to talk about when I'm not around.

Oh, and just to be clear, I never did think babies were attractive but both little brothers grew up to be drop dead gorgeous. I just don't want anyone thinking my bubbies aren't handsome fellas just because I said they were ugly babies, lol.

 

[Carolyn R]

Well, I have got to say being an at home mom (my husband works enough, too much ) and a caregiver to my 95 year old grandmother, these little treasures are what keep my sanity.

I have a husband that doesn't mind them, kids that enjoy them (and I will gladly let them accompany until the day they decide it is lame or that they just aren't cool any more) and a father that is my co-conspiritor when it comes to sneaking one home. With that said, I have taken mine to birthday parties, schools, halloween parades, and I enjoy driving them.

Beyond that, I believe that when you show your kids how to stick with something, the pride that comes from dedication, how to care for something outside of the human realm, how to have grace and compassion, even if that means putting down your beloved pet because it is suffering and the right thing to do, there is something that you instill in them beyond comprehension. It just helps them see that there is so much more that many just don't see, or should a say that they just can't see because they do not have their eyes open to it.

If my kids drift away from my scene as teens, it is okay, but they will have learned more coming from this background than they will have ever learned from growing up too quick in a city.

So I guess I have to say, it isn't "what can you do with them", but rather what we have learned from them.

I would take my country bumkin life and my country bumkin kids anyday over life in the BURBS.

Carolyn

 

[PrestigeMiniHorses]

Oh goodness I have heard this alot too. I grew up in a dog, fish and bird kind of house. No one would have thought I would have bought a horse, but I sure enough did. Millie was my first horse so I have lots of strings attched to her. I know right now I have heard it from all angles of the family. Its sad thats for sure. My family has been telling me for the last couple months that I need to regroup my priorities and get rid of my 2 minis. They just don't understand that my lil ones bring me great joy more than most things in life do. I just had my lil girl not to long ago and I agree that I have not been out to the stables to see them as often as I like but I know they are in great care. I know my mom tells me all the time that they are worthless animals. I know shes wrong.

 

[AppyLover2]

I know my mom tells me all the time that they are worthless animals

My response to that would definitely have to be something like "Mom how could they possibly be worthless when they make me so happy?"

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Hey, people with pets live longer!! :aktion033: Good enough for me! :bgrin

 

[heart k ranch]

I always say why do you have dogs, kids, cats....same reason TO MAKE YOU HAPPY