What Can You Do With a MINI?

People ask, what can you do with a mini?

Here's one example of what you can do.

 
Description Translated by Google from YouTube.
Fourteen girls from youth riding Urmoneit in Franconia Ebersbach tension ponies before their unicycles and go to great music an extraordinary quadrille.
 


On numerous riding sporting events such as the gala show horse Bodensee in Friedrichshafen or the top gala show in Nuremberg fascination Horse dance troupe impressed with their performance, the audience is probably unique
 
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-feymJg5M&ref=nf
Video uploaded June 28, 2007

Miniature Horse in Lion Costume

This is one of my most favorite videos of a mini.

A Virtual Chariot Ride

 

A Virtual Chariot Ride

2012 Reserve National Champion

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Posted by Douglasgnapier...Published on Sep 15, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbmJ-9ZZA6o

2012 AMHR nationals tulsa ok
http://WWW.Kuelqhs.COM for more horse stuff

HorseShowsONLINE

So you missed the class and do not know who the winners were...NO PROBLEM!!!

 

LINK to Show Results:

HorseShowsONLINE

Remember, there is a one day delay between the class and results getting up online.

 

 

The Thundering Herd

This is a compilation of three photos of a several of my black and white pintos running then turned it into an animated gif.

From front to back:
Weaning filly....Summer Breeze's 2012 foal.
Weaning colt....Kiss Me Kate's 2012 foal
Mare. Kiss Me Kate
Mare. Summer Breeze
Stallion..Rebelchase Rebelheir
Weaning Filly (You just barely see her head, last horse)...Faerie Queen

Dorsal Hitch - Circus Wagon

Lost photos...looking for them.
On the MiniHorseDriving, Yahoo list Susan M. posted photos of her mini team and a unique cart. Her is what she had to say:

Last weekend we were invited to share our minis with the crowd at the Carousel Horse Show held at West World in Scottsdale, AZ.It was a lot of fun and a great trial for the team. I've only gotten to drive them a few times since I finished their team harness, so this little exhibition was a needed trial run before this weeks mini show.As you can see from the pics, they did very well! And when the crowd went wild, clapping and cheering, my team didn't even bat an eye!So now I'm getting things ready for Touch of Class. And I am bound and determined to have a blast!

Of course I was extremely interested in the arched shaf to the "saddle." So I asked for more information. Her reply comes after the next photos.

Hi Susan, the gentleman I purchased this cart from had it custom built from old drawings of circus carts. These were made this way for use under the old big top tents as it allowed freer movement in the tight constraints of the circus rings. It also allowed the animals to perform tricks while hitched to the vehicle.This hitch can be dangerous as it does allow the horse/horses to turn completely 360°, at which point you have no control at all. And with the team, the horses must match hieght and stride or else it becomes very difficult for the horses.It connects with a wire hitch pin to a swivle on the pad for single, on the yoke for double.This isn't a hitch for anything other than level ground that is packed as the horse(s) pull from the saddle and brake from the saddle.

If you go back to some of my earlier posts such as:
he Modern Chariot (Part 1 and 2), you can see a less extreme, but similar idea.

http://toadhillminis.blogspot.com/2008/07/modern-chariot-part-1.html

http://toadhillminis.blogspot.com/2008/07/ch.html

Labor Day Adventures

Had some free time on Labor Day and decided to take some photos. Yes, I know it is really the holiday season, but this is the first time I had a week off and time to catch up on my posts and photos.

Fancy Pants was home after a busy summer at Wendy's. She had him driving most of the time but  also provided him with quite a few ladies to court when he was not working.

Madame Butterfly below was poising for her permanent registration photos. With some many mares and stallions and the lousy economy I had to cut back so several nice mares were not bred this year.

We did have some nice foals this year however. Below you can see Wind in the Willows with her newest offspring, Merlin.

Another foal this year gave use quite a scare. Graham below is checking out a visitor, Marley. Graham caught a form of pneumonia and was sick for a couple weeks. Fully recovered now he is just one of the guys.

The last foal of the season was also the last foal that Apache Gal will ever give us. We are calling him the Apache Kid, his mom passed away at 23 years old after weaning her foal at five months old. We will miss her.

I Didn't Know Fancy Only Spoke Amish!

Fancy Pants was delivered to Wendy's home after Thanksgiving, 2010. Wendy plans on showing him in driving in 2011 and also using him as one of her breeding stallions.
After a week at her house Fancy was taken to training facility where he could be driven in doors. Fancy was used as a "school bus" by five Amish kids several years ago and is "bomb proof." But that was almost four years ago since he was driving. At Toad Hill he was not used for driving.
So everyone at the training facility was very surprised when after hitching him up and saying "Walk On" they got nothing from Fancy but a dirty look. Fancy stood his ground, looked back as if to say "Do you know what your doing?"
After leading him around, and a lot of "clucking" he finally started responding a little. Consensus was that Fancy did not know the correct commands, and one of the trainers suggested that perhaps Fancy only speaks Amish.
Wendy and crew decided that was enough for one day. Wendy got home and as the Microsoft ad says: "To the Cloud."  
She looked up Amish driving commands and came up with: "Step Walk", "Step Trot" etc. Next day, she tried these commands and Fancy went right to work.
Comments below are from: 
http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/index.php?showtopic=120907

Mini in Dressage

Okay, this is cool!!! Run this video, it is a beautifully colored leopard miniature horse doing dressage.It will take 20 seconds before you see the star of this show, but it is worth the wait.

Sorry but this is the only way I can link this video...it was the first one I every saw of Lancelot and dressage.
Click below:

Lancelot ShowPony

Another link to some training, unfortunately it is in German

Lancelot Interview 

How did she train that horse to do this? If I knew I would train one of my miniatures.
LINK  In case YouTube above does not work.

How about a class in miniature horse dressage for AMHR and/or AMHA?

Have to thank Wendy for this link.

Another example of "Shetlandpony" - really looks mini to me.

MiniVanAdventures - The Trip to the Area 4 Show

Toad Hill's Spots and Dots, a 2009 29.5 inch stallion was talking with his human: "Alright, so you need to get on I-74 and take a right on to Rt. 136. Got that?"

Spots and Dots: "What do you mean you want to go down to I-57 then turn right?

Whoa, wait a minute...you're adding how many miles to this trip"

Spots and Dots: "I don't think my human knows how to read a map. Good thing we gassed up before we left home in the van."

Spots and Dots: " I love it when my human is wrong...can you see my smiling...hee hee, score one for the mini!!!"

Spring Vaccination Clinic

2010 has started off with a more enjoyable visit to the University of Illinois Large Animal Hospital. It was the Horse Vaccination Clinic.

Typically when I go to the U of I Vet Medicine school, it is late Sunday night and an emergency. I do not know why horses seem to pick that time, but that's how it happens.

As any one can tell you, going to hospital for an emergency is no fun. Picking up horses after they are all better is a more relaxing visit but then you also have to deal with the financial part so business cools the atmosphere.The vets at the college always go that extra mile and if I do my part by identifying and bringing a horse in at the onset of a problem, they are able to resolve the problems and return a healthy horse to me. I strongly recommend them whenever anyone asks about my experiences there.

My appointment was 11 AM, so I arrived about 15 minutes early with four minis in the trailer. There were about a dozen vets and students (I will refer to all of them as vets to keep this simple) outside waiting for the next wave of arrivals. It was amazing how many I knew by name since generally I do not see all of them in one place at one time.

I went in, visited with the staff inside and filled out the paperwork. They are always very pleasant, but when you are engaged with serious problems you are pretty focused on what you are doing. This this time the atmosphere was very upbeat and cheerful in spite of the fact they had to work on Saturday.

When I returned to the trailer there were more vets in the trailer than horses...minis seem to attract the attention.

The vets had already started the regular exams: checking temperatures, teeth and taking fecal samples.

Paperwork for vaccinations reached the vets and with two on each horse all the vaccinations were given, blood work for coggins were drawn and the event was over in record time. As we were finishing up the next wave of trailers started to line up and staff were already starting to work on the paperwork. The sun was out, the weather perfect and the whole event seemed to be well organized. Next time though, I think I might bring donuts for the gang, it was more like a celebration than business and everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun

Thanks to the U of I Large Animal Hospital vets and staff.

Day at the U of I

Picking up Slate at the U of I, Picasso is going to Hals...Yeah!! It is really snowy but we all made it home no problem. Slate ran back in with his buddies and Picasso will be a pampered pony at the Bryants. In case you want to save his webiste it is at:
http://bryantsminiatures.bravehost.com/


Want to see what they do and what Picasso will be doing soon? Check out the Bryant's and their 6 miniature horse hitch. Picasso will be replacing one of the middle horses in this hitch and also becoming one of the Bryants' chariot horses.

Bryants Qualify for Nationals

Toad Hill's Paint Me Picasso, Summer 2009

Both Picasso and Rusty spent the summer of 09 visiting the Amish family and have some fun learning how to pull a wagon and get riding lessons. Rusty's movie was posted a couple weeks ago, and here we have the video of Picasso. Picasso took right to driving and riding and is certainly more dependable than Rusty because he is less distracted by noise and animals that go by him when he is working.

Picasso is a well behaved, quiet stallion. Rusty and Picasso are buddies and when they are away from the mares, they enjoy chasing and sparring with one another.

Another blog entry can be seen -- follow link.

Picasso's Sire is:

Toad Hill's the Great Gatsby

His dam is:

Toad Hill's Wind in the Willows

Fancy Pants and Henry County Fair

Just for the fun of it, I decided to take Fancy to the Henry County Fair. He has never been shown to my knowledge and was taken right out of the field, quick clip on head, mane and feet and brought to the fair. There was no weeks of neck sweating, daily training exercises or conditioning, just pack him up and go. I was curious to see how he would behave more than anything, since there is the possibility I could show him still in driving.
We did not do great in the over stallion class or color, but when it came to manners, Fancy was fantastic. I was worried he would attack the other stallions, not stand and show for the judges, but he proved me worry. For a six year stallion never before shown, he was a perfect gentleman.

Henry County Fair has an AMHR santioned show and it desires a second look at those of you in the area who wish to show and still have some fun visiting with friends. One bonus for me, I had him officially measured: 29.75 was the height...

Take A Look - ConsiderBlog for Website

I know that some of you find the idea of maintaining a website a daunting one. I used to create web pages the old fashion way, HTML in notepad. Even taught how to do it.

But now there is an easier way. You can put it on blogspot.com for free. (I have no connection with them, do not get anything other than I have my blog there).

With a little bit of money you get it customized with a hand drawn header, use you own web site name (not like toadhillminis.blogspot.com) and loose all the bloggity elements you want.

Check out some of the blogs that NW designs has created...prices are low and really worth the money. There is no hassle, all the prices are right on the blog.

If you can post ads on lilbeginnings you can create your own web site, it is super easy.

For example, the web address has a customized little horse head, NW did that, the menu options below the header, NW did that too.

I decided what to put in the menu beneath my header, and decided that I also wanted the labels on the left side.

Obstacle, Driving

I have never seen the Obstacle, Driving class before watching it on the Internet. It must take a great deal of dedication, practice, and patience to train a driving horse to successfully compete in this event.

I have uploaded an example of the obstacle, driving. I tried adding some music to this one. Hope it works okay. Anyway...watch the obstacle where the cart wheel has to stay in the hula hoop while the cart does a 360, and also the back up throw the parallel bars. Those are just two of the challenges in this course.

If you have the time and want to see another great demostration of what miniatures can do, go to Kateland Farm and watch the Kateland Farm Drill Team!!! 

(scroll down the page on the link below)

http://www.katelandfarm.com/index_files/Page465.htm

Obstacle, Halter

Don't know about you, but I did not get to Nationals (2008) but still found that it was on the web. I managed to watch the Halter Obstacles and Driving Obstacles and was quite impressed. For those of you who are not familar with this class, I did capture some video. Hopefully it will work for you and you can see what is involved.

Obstacle rules are in the AMHR rule book, page 266 and can be found at:
http://www.shetlandminiature.com/downloads/RULE_BOOK_2008.pdf

Direct Excerpt from the Rule Book below:
Part 20 – Obstacle Halter/Driving
A. The obstacle course must be posted at the Show Office not less than two hours prior to the class. Horses must be at least one year old for halter obstacle and three years old for obstacle driving. An exhibitor may not show before a Judge in classes where he/she (the exhibitor) has designed the course in that class. A horse can only be shown by one exhibitor per class. All obstacles must be numbered on the course in order of sequence.
B. Classes will be judged 100% on the manner of horse’s performance through the course.
C. There is a sixty second time limit to complete each obstacle. After time is used, the exhibitor will be directed to the next obstacle. Refusals of three (3) obstacles shall be cause for disqualification.
D. Cantering is penalized in obstacle driving.
E. Obstacle requirements:
1. Must be a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 obstacles.
2. Tires and stair steps are prohibited.
3. Jumps are prohibited.
F. In shows where more than one obstacle class is offered, at least three of the obstacles must be different or the manner of performance through obstacles must be varied for the class.
G. Edible treats to encourage an animal to perform one of the obstacles are not allowed.
H. All obstacles should be safe for exhibitors as well as for horses.
I. Off course will result in elimination from the class and no points, ribbons or awards will be presented.
Off course is defined as:
1. Taking an obstacle in the wrong direction.
2. Negotiating an obstacle from the wrong side.
3. Skipping an obstacle unless directed by Judge.
4. Negotiating obstacles in the wrong sequence.
5. No physically moving, or coercing the horse by touching. It is to be the Judge’s discretion to disqualify. Attendants 16 years of age and older, may be allowed in the ring during Youth Halter Obstacle for safety purposes only. Attendant must not interfere with or influence individual’s or equine’s performance.
6. Miniature leaving the obstacle course.
J. Driving obstacle horses shall be shown in a suitable two-wheeled cart with basket.

Small World - Fun Show Below this post....go down

It's a small world...and the Internet seems to pull us even closer together.

When I started looking for information about chariots I ran across a blog that talked about the races in Odgen, Utah and I put the information and some photos I "borrowed" from their site....

Well one of the teams belonged to Darcy Hiatt and it was super of him to write me and fill in the details.

":Hi, I just kinda stumbled onto your website and saw the pictures of the miniature horse chariot racing. The team of paints are mine and I am doing the driving and one of the horses in the picture above is also mine. If you have any questions or comments about it let me know!! "
Darcy Hiatt

Thanks Darcy
And to make things even better, Darcy has sent detailed photos of his racing chariot. Next blog I will show you his photos of a racing chariot for those of you who might wish to build one yourselves.

Please visit his web pages at: http://www.hiattshalfpints.com/

Small World

It's a small world...and the Internet seems to pull us even closer together. When I started looking for information about chariots I ran across a blog that talked about the races in Odgen, Utah and I put the information and some photos I "borrowed" from their site....

Well one of the teams belonged to Darcy Hiatt and it was super of him to write me and fill in the details.

:Hi, I just kinda stumbled onto your website and saw the pictures of the miniature horse chariot racing. The team of paints are mine and I am doing the driving and one of the horses in the picture above is also mine. If you have any questions or comments about it let me know!! :
-Darcy Hiatt

Thanks Darcy.

And to make things even better, Darcy has sent detailed photos of his racing chariot. Next blog I will show you his photos of a racing chariot for those of you who might wish to build one yourselves.

Please visit his web pages at: http://www.hiattshalfpints.com/

Call This A Preview

As surprised as I was, I wrote Jim Walsh and he wrote back to me!! I asked him to write a little about modern chariot design and he sent me an article which will be on next blog. Just to give you more details about Jim, I found this on YouTube...a movie of Jim with the sulky he designed. Of course I am thinking mini horses, but there are a lot of dog owners that might like this idea.

For you dog carting enthusiasts, check out: http://hometown.aol.com/dogcarting/