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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 30, 2015 1:14:59 GMT
So I went take a look at a mini colt today that we're considering for a trade. These are the facts. You tell me yea or nay and your opinions. I'd like objective opinions.
He would be for Roselyn who is 19 lbs.
He will be 2 in March and would be gelded before coming to our place.
He's a paint with two blue eyes and his patches are a blue roan with polka dots (best way I can describe it. Pictures to follow)
He is skittish, big time. He was handled and tame but neighborhood kids would beat him and now he's terrified of kids. He did calm down a bit after handling him for a while but it would take some work.
He has foundered in the past and required trims every 3 weeks. He's now on a 6 week schedule. Tell me if his movement seems off in the video I will be posting.
He literally freaked when a kid walked into the arena. He calmed down after a while with just adults but when we showed Roselyn (us holding her), I could see the fear in his eyes and their whites were showing.
Doesn't kick, but does rear and has bitten several times before.
He is healthy and on a better diet (owner learned her lesson). The place is clean and the other horses are all well-cared for.
Good height for a mini to ride (child) or drive.
I *could* retrain him....but I'm seriously thinking about passing on this trade. If it were just for me, I'd take on the challenge, but it's for my child.
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Post by diamondgirl on Jan 30, 2015 1:44:32 GMT
Oh It breaks my heart that someone would be so cruel to this poor little guy, to where he would be afraid of children. You know, I have a friend who was bitten be a dog when she was very small. She is still afraid of dogs, even as an old lady. A girl I work with,is terrified of cats, because of a cat that bit her when she was small. My daughters fiancé is working hard to try to overcome his fear of horses, because he was bitten badly as a 3 year old, when he was sent into a group of horses with some apple slices, by some really really really stupid adults.
Children are sponges. They absorb everything going on around them, and lay it in their memories, as a foundation. Then they keep building on those foundations, as they acquire more and more experiences. I am sure you know how important those first experiences are, and how important it is for us as parents to do the best we can, to make those experiences good ones to grow with.
This mini sounds like a wonderful opportunity for an older child to learn the negative impact of cruel behavior, and how love and compassion can help even this frightened little guy overcome his fear. JMO, but I am just not sure that this little guy,no matter how deserving he is, of a good home, is the perfect foundation to build Roselyn's love of horses. |
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 30, 2015 1:47:39 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 30, 2015 2:16:58 GMT
Honestly I would pass on this little guy. he is cute but is not a good match for what you are needing. Could you work with him? yes, but you already have a few horses that you are working with. And there's no telling if he would ever fully get over his abuse. I don't know that I would ever feel comfortable with him around Roselyn. Sorry, jmo.
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Post by lorddaxter on Jan 30, 2015 2:20:08 GMT
On my phone as iPads done, I agree with mm, pass, not fair to him or Ros:)
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 30, 2015 2:21:47 GMT
That's exactly what I'm feeling, but I was wanting opinions of others. My gut is saying that it isn't a good fit. Not for Rosie. Part of the reason why I'm considering a mini or a pony for her is because Melody won't be ridable for her for several years and I would like her to have something in the meantime and something we can hand down to the next child too. With this colt, I don't think I could trust him.
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Post by diamondgirl on Jan 30, 2015 2:53:07 GMT
I just wanted to add, he is an adorable hand full, isn't he. He will be so much fun for the right person.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 30, 2015 3:00:55 GMT
He really is a handful. I worked with him for a couple of hours. He was responding better but he went right back to being skittish the moment a kid entered. He would be fun to work with and watch blossom, but not for a toddler.
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Post by Shelly on Jan 30, 2015 4:15:56 GMT
I'm with the others and I personally would pass. He could probably have a ton of potential but the hardest thing with mini's and really small ponies is to find a rider to break them to begin with. You almost need an experienced little rider which are hard to find sometimes. Him already being afraid of kids could potentially be dangerous for you guys in the long run too. Personally I would continue you're search and when you find the right one suited for your family you will know  He is absolutely adorable though might I add! |
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Post by horselady on Jan 30, 2015 12:35:15 GMT
For two years old that ain't no mini, he looks like he has alot of pony and with him being so scared he will never outgrow that. and for his history sometimes a wild little horse is better than an abused wild little horse. I have had y own babies be unhandled until they are two and within an hour are begging for more attention and come around to be learning little dolls. he would make a great cart horse for someone who wants to spend the time with him and give him a home with adults.
too bad, he is handsome but still fat. he needs to loose 75 pounds plus those manly parts.
Perhaps keep your eye out for a filly they are not as unruly as a stud.
t
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jan 31, 2015 1:11:13 GMT
I agree with all. I wouldn't mainly for the founder issues. He is 2, he should have been gelded a long time ago. He could be worked with on the trust issues but there are too many nice minis out there that would be more compatible for what you need. He may not get over the fear of kids and you don't want something that may hurt Roz. Usually once you do teach a mini to drive, they are fairly good with saddle breaking...  |
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 31, 2015 2:04:42 GMT
I told her I'd pass.
She was keeping him a stud in case someone wanted him as a stud. She was very understanding when I let her know that we were going to pass. I just don't feel comfortable with his level of fear around children. MM hit the nail on the head when she said I already have enough to work with.
Looking at prospects online, some people fell on their heads. Bad legs, wild, etc. and wanting 400-800 for them! Nope. Not paying that much for something that is obviously going to have to be a project when I'm seeing broke ones go for less than that.
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Post by horselady on Jan 31, 2015 2:27:24 GMT
too bad you are so far away i have some real cute fillies for sale cheap, they are clean slates and very personable. good that you passed on him. and why would he be kept a stallion with his founder issues and temperament. some people just do not know. squat.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 31, 2015 2:37:57 GMT
His sire was super sweet but the bf didn't want to part with him. Had he been available, y'all would have seen the meet him thread instead of this.
Her decision was based on color, most likely. Blue eyes and all that jazz. She caused his founder by overfeeding and the skittishness was learned (according to the owner).
Either way, not for me.
My old choirmaster raises them and gave me some contacts to reputable breeders. She also said I could send her names of people we were considering going to because they weeded through several bad breeders before finding theirs.
Saw a cute shetland pony for $500 but there were 3 different ads for him. One made him sound perfect except he needed to be coaxed with food to load into a trailer. The other ads said he was perfect to load and unload. Largest ad said he's good to ride and a 6 year old handles him, but another ad said he needs a confident rider and one ad lists him as 4-6 and another lists him as 3-5 years old. About the only consistent thing was his name, age, and color! So I didn't even inquire about him.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 31, 2015 2:52:57 GMT
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Jan 31, 2015 7:55:16 GMT
I don't know why I feel so bad for this pony. I know she can take those girls. But it just don't look right to me.
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Post by lorddaxter on Jan 31, 2015 13:20:05 GMT
I like her, she's very sweet and patient with those kids although green:) Lip, I know what you're saying, I hate watching kids work with ponies, hence why I never pursued my BHS exams after the first few, no way could I teach kids to ride! |
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Mini Colt
Jan 31, 2015 13:46:09 GMT
via mobile
Post by spirithawk06 on Jan 31, 2015 13:46:09 GMT
Sweet and patient is what I need. I would want to know why the girl jumped off at the end like she did. They're almost 3 hours away but if I don't find something suitable closer, might be doing a road trip.
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Post by Shelly on Jan 31, 2015 18:00:24 GMT
From what it looked like at the end it looked like the little girl was having trouble stoping the pony and just jumped off instead. That's my interpretation anyways This pony seems a lot better, the only thing I'm not crazy about with mini's is that kids outgrow them too fast  Unless you plan on doing lots of driving then that's a whole different story. |
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Post by diamondgirl on Feb 1, 2015 3:15:38 GMT
I might be totally wrong, but I just don't see minis as a horse that older kids should ride. I think of them as more as an in hand horse. A horse that is small enough for a small child to get to know, and to be lead around on, or be very closely supervised on.
From what I have seen, by the time the child is old enough to understand how to handle a horse, and be able to ride by themselves, they have already outgrown the mini. I have seen some pretty big kids, riding double on tiny minis.
What ever happened to ponies. Those sturdy little horses, that kids used to grow up with? Sure they were ornery, and not nearly as small, but they were stocky, and sturdy, and were rideable, by a kid for several years. |
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Unless you plan on doing lots of driving then that's a whole different story.