Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...
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SheriM
Lovin' The Homestead
I don't know about where you are, but in a lot of places, you could sell a bred miniature horse, even one with her problems, for well over $200 so even if you don't decide to keep her, you've made one heck of a good deal. All that other stuff could end up being free!
Aidenbaby
Lovin' The Homestead
Quail, I would give her some time. When you do catch her, I'd keep her in a smaller area so she isn't as difficult to catch. I would imagine you would break her in just like any other horse. You may find that she could be a huge asset for your acreage if she's the one doing the heavier hauling rather than you. How tall is she? The picture is a bit deceiving.
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Wow, Quail. I guess you made a smokin deal on all the supplies thats an amazing find. It seems the man knew you had a big heart and would MAYBE be the best shot for this little gal. Don't give up so easily. She's soooooooo cute. Maybe she is part of the BIG plan. 
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I agree with you Quail... she is probably NOT what you are needing. Cute as she is. On a self sufficient place EVERYTHING has to pull its own weight plus some. I totally understand getting her to "make your deal", however.
Many years back we wanted to buy a pony ... broke to ride and drive and raced barrels. The ONLY way we could buy him was to take his "dumb brother" with him. The other pony, named Adolf Hitler(!) by the last owner was beautiful black with a white half moon on his forehead. He was not broke at all (not even to lead or catch) and six years old.
He came home with us and got a name change (Midnight Moon). Then we "added some value to him". I use to go sit in the pasture with a pan of feed until his curiosity got the better of him and here he would come. At first I made him eat while I was holding the pan. Next I had to touch him while he ate ... then he had to wear a rope on his neck. Slowly he got to the place where I would call and snap the lead and he would come get caught and I would lead him to the grain. After that I broke him to ride and started him driving a little, before we sold his pretty little butt for considerably more money than I had paid for BOTH ponies!
Ponies are GREAT on a Self Sufficient place IF you need a work horse. They eat less and can pull up to THREE TIMES their own body weight on very little food. (PS you had better watch her food intake. Those dinky little ones can founder - which cripples them - in nothing flat on good pasture.) That is why they were used in coal mines for years to pull the coal trains. Ponies are MUCH more efficient than a big horse. The question is DO YOU need the horse power and will you use it? We have used our ponies to pull brush and logs, plow our garden and run errands. They even make good lawn edgers!
Many years back we wanted to buy a pony ... broke to ride and drive and raced barrels. The ONLY way we could buy him was to take his "dumb brother" with him. The other pony, named Adolf Hitler(!) by the last owner was beautiful black with a white half moon on his forehead. He was not broke at all (not even to lead or catch) and six years old.
He came home with us and got a name change (Midnight Moon). Then we "added some value to him". I use to go sit in the pasture with a pan of feed until his curiosity got the better of him and here he would come. At first I made him eat while I was holding the pan. Next I had to touch him while he ate ... then he had to wear a rope on his neck. Slowly he got to the place where I would call and snap the lead and he would come get caught and I would lead him to the grain. After that I broke him to ride and started him driving a little, before we sold his pretty little butt for considerably more money than I had paid for BOTH ponies!
Ponies are GREAT on a Self Sufficient place IF you need a work horse. They eat less and can pull up to THREE TIMES their own body weight on very little food. (PS you had better watch her food intake. Those dinky little ones can founder - which cripples them - in nothing flat on good pasture.) That is why they were used in coal mines for years to pull the coal trains. Ponies are MUCH more efficient than a big horse. The question is DO YOU need the horse power and will you use it? We have used our ponies to pull brush and logs, plow our garden and run errands. They even make good lawn edgers!
BeccaOH
Almost Self-Reliant
Great package deal, Aly. She is pretty looking.
Hmm, I wonder what a miniature mule would be like if she really is bred?
Hmm, I wonder what a miniature mule would be like if she really is bred?
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Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Aidenbaby, she's about the size of our calves. She seems stocky, and is already showing signs of warming up to us. Meaning, she's not running from the fence today when we walk up to it.
FF, IF she was already broke to pulling a cart, which I doubt that she is, I'd consider keeping her IF I had a cart. I know she isn't broke to ride, not sure what she was even used for before her previous owner got her.
Do I have the time to work with her? Honestly, not sure! If I put myself on a strict schedule and followed it, then maybe, but do I want to do that? Right now we run a leisurely hobby farm, and it works for us. Do I really want to be putting in an 8-10 hour day just so I can work with this pony and get her to the point of being an asset to the place?
DH is supposed to be having back surgery soon (still don't have a date on it) and at this point, not sure how much care he'll be needing immediately after surgery. So would I want to start working with a pony, then possibly lose any progress made with her while DH is recooperating?
I could find plenty of uses for a cart pulling pony! I could use her to pull a cartload firewood out of the woods, wouldn't mind using her to plow my gardens so we wouldn't need to use a rototiller, or if I didn't want to drive a car the 3 miles to the store............
(half joking about that).
On the one hand, I can see where a working pony could benefit me, especially if my husband is laid up and can't do a lot of the stuff he is used to doing.
Becky, if she is bred, I'll bet her baby will be cute! But, do I want to keep her for 3-6 months just to see a cute mini mule baby??? :/
SheriM, it's sooooooo funny you should say that! We were at the bank this morning, and talking to one of the tellers because we've known her for years. Mentioned Emmy to her, she asked what are we going to do with her...Told her we aren't sure yet, maybe sell her. So she asked how much? I didn't even think, just spouted off $200 and she replies, "My sister runs a horse farm in Indiana, she may want her. She takes in horses/ponies who need a good home! Would you mind if I give her your number?"
I did tell her she's missing an eye, not broke, probably bred to a mini donkey, and that she's very skittish. She said that's fine, she's sure her sister will still be interested!!!!!
So they are supposed to email me for pics, and we're going to talk about what to do with Emmy!!
FF, IF she was already broke to pulling a cart, which I doubt that she is, I'd consider keeping her IF I had a cart. I know she isn't broke to ride, not sure what she was even used for before her previous owner got her.
Do I have the time to work with her? Honestly, not sure! If I put myself on a strict schedule and followed it, then maybe, but do I want to do that? Right now we run a leisurely hobby farm, and it works for us. Do I really want to be putting in an 8-10 hour day just so I can work with this pony and get her to the point of being an asset to the place?
DH is supposed to be having back surgery soon (still don't have a date on it) and at this point, not sure how much care he'll be needing immediately after surgery. So would I want to start working with a pony, then possibly lose any progress made with her while DH is recooperating?
I could find plenty of uses for a cart pulling pony! I could use her to pull a cartload firewood out of the woods, wouldn't mind using her to plow my gardens so we wouldn't need to use a rototiller, or if I didn't want to drive a car the 3 miles to the store............
(half joking about that).On the one hand, I can see where a working pony could benefit me, especially if my husband is laid up and can't do a lot of the stuff he is used to doing.
Becky, if she is bred, I'll bet her baby will be cute! But, do I want to keep her for 3-6 months just to see a cute mini mule baby??? :/
SheriM, it's sooooooo funny you should say that! We were at the bank this morning, and talking to one of the tellers because we've known her for years. Mentioned Emmy to her, she asked what are we going to do with her...Told her we aren't sure yet, maybe sell her. So she asked how much? I didn't even think, just spouted off $200 and she replies, "My sister runs a horse farm in Indiana, she may want her. She takes in horses/ponies who need a good home! Would you mind if I give her your number?"
I did tell her she's missing an eye, not broke, probably bred to a mini donkey, and that she's very skittish. She said that's fine, she's sure her sister will still be interested!!!!!
So they are supposed to email me for pics, and we're going to talk about what to do with Emmy!!
lorihadams
Always doing laundry
I agree, I think you made a good deal... 
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- #1,349
Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Even if we have no intentions of keeping her, I have no intentions of neglecting Emmy while she is here! She will be pampered and loved as if she's a permanent member of our family until time for her to go to her new home.
Having said that, I think I might be in trouble............
My husband, Ernie, who hates horses or anything equine, who told me to not expect him to lift a finger PERIOD if I bring Emmy home.......
Look close at that picture up there! She's leaning into him while he's rubbing her!
He made sure he stood on her right the whole time he was with her. This way she could see him. When he started petting her, she leaned into him and closed her eyes! She loves my husband!!!
He had an easier time getting close to her than I did. She had walked into the barn, I assume for shade, and Ernie followed her in, spoke to her gently, and then reached out and grabbed her halter. I handed him her lead rope and he snapped it on.
He spent a good 20 minutes with her just walking her around, petting her, talking to her! She was soaking it up! When he unclipped her lead, she didn't take off running from him either. She just stood there while he rubbed her chest. She waited until he walked away.
I must say, I was impressed that my husband spent any time with her!
ETA: To give you an idea of how tall she is, my husband is 5'11"
Having said that, I think I might be in trouble............
My husband, Ernie, who hates horses or anything equine, who told me to not expect him to lift a finger PERIOD if I bring Emmy home.......
Look close at that picture up there! She's leaning into him while he's rubbing her!
He made sure he stood on her right the whole time he was with her. This way she could see him. When he started petting her, she leaned into him and closed her eyes! She loves my husband!!!
He had an easier time getting close to her than I did. She had walked into the barn, I assume for shade, and Ernie followed her in, spoke to her gently, and then reached out and grabbed her halter. I handed him her lead rope and he snapped it on.
He spent a good 20 minutes with her just walking her around, petting her, talking to her! She was soaking it up! When he unclipped her lead, she didn't take off running from him either. She just stood there while he rubbed her chest. She waited until he walked away.
I must say, I was impressed that my husband spent any time with her!
ETA: To give you an idea of how tall she is, my husband is 5'11"
lorihadams
Always doing laundry
Looks like you got yourself a pony!!! Maybe you could train her to pull a cart or something.....
