[me and morgan]

Have the pefect opportunity to do so....what do you think? any information or advice?

[imjustjoking22]

There is a great sticky on this in the breeding section.

Considerations for breeding your horse / pony

[Equine Repro]

Originally Posted by me and morgan

Have the pefect opportunity to do so....what do you think? any information or advice?

Well, if you're up to dealing with about 30% of foalings resulting in dystocias and a high percentage of foals having birth defects or dwarfism, sure. If you're planning on breeding them, I would most emphatically suggest that you get in contact with breeders that are highly successful breeding them like Little King Farm (owners of Boone's Little Buckaroo) and discuss the pros and cons with them. They breed some of the top mini's in the world and are definitely at the top of their game. Do some pretty intensive research before jumping in.

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[CayceV]

Breeding mini's is risky business; trust me - I breed them. It's NOT all fun and games and as Repro mentioned their rate of dystocia is high. My vet once told me that mini's make up 5% of his patients during foal season, but 50% of his dystocia's are mini's.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions....

[Haas Horse Farm]

In many ways mini stallions are harder to keep and can be worse to deal with than a full size stallion. Do not be fooled by their size... thinking that smaller means less work and less money to care for. That is just not so. Mini's have their own set of rules when it comes to maintenance and vet care. It is very easy to have one founder or colic or have foaling issues. It is harder to care for them because of their size. Many things made for horses must be specialized to fit them so that means more money.

Instead of asking us... tell us why YOU:

1) Would want to breed them?

2) Acreage and housing for them?

3) Prior knowledge of breeding and raising foals of any size?

4) What are you going to do once you have them?

PS My husband raised them for years and had some beautiful ones so yes you can raise them and have a great time but knowing just what to do because you had large horses before is not always so. Talk to a lot of people who breed minis professionally now. My husband said that anyone who is not already in the horse breeding business should not get in. There is no profit margin left with the rising cost. The era of the high dollar mini is gone. Find some that need rescued or a new home because a breeder is getting out at a local sale. I see at least one small stallion every sale at St James... Once in a while there are mares. Good Luck.

[me and morgan]

I have one now, and hes awsome I have had several people inquire and want one...Know someone whois getting rid of mare and stallion they are moving..both AMHA and beautiful.... Also I live on 5 acres, have plenty of room, and all the time in the world, and I am close personal friends with my vet (added bonus) Have had several foals in past aswell. Financialy able, last , maybe sell a few , keep a few but Im not by any means a collector...lol .....I think Ive decide , Im gonna do it....Mare is just under 30in. and stallion is 29in maybe alittle shorter, Have already a place for stud , secure and safe...mare is already in foal....now.. so gives me plenty of time , to go through it again. but a mini this time...

[CayceV]

You know, there really isn't a market for mini's under 30". They're even more dangerous to breed because they're so prone to having problems, you can't (or rather I should say, shouldn't) drive them... I don't see a reason to breed the really small ones. Do you have pictures? Pedigrees? What were they used for? Showing? Pets?

[Haas Horse Farm]

Okay I feel better now... LOL Not that it matters what I think but I am glad that you do have room and have a vet close by. We will just pray that mean you will not need it since it is convenient. Glad you have thought this through and are not a collector. Good luck to you. I have to say with todays market I am looking more and more like a collector every day!!!

[KiereeAngel86]

Just went to a local horse sale last night where there were 37 equines. 9 were ponies and 7 mini's. The Auctioneer said he is seeing more of the little guys coming thru. They were nice mini's and half of them only brought 25.00 and the others didn't sell. Make sure you have a decent market in your area and educate yourself on breeding. And like others have said, there are alot of losses in mini's giving birth. I wish you good luck if this is what you decide.