Booth Ranch

The history of the miniature horse dates back to the 17th century in Europe and were bred for smallness for the nobility as pets.  They were developed through many different pony breeds to get the smallness, but yet keeping a well proportioned horse.  The Falabella Miniature Horse was originally developed in the mid 1800s in Argentina for even smaller sizes.

http://www.theminiaturehorse.com/historyminiatures.htm

You can read several different accounts on when and where the miniature horses were first started.  There are even divisions of them such as:  Falabella, Midget, Miniature, Pygmy.  You can read about this at the following link.

http://www.guidehorse.org/miniature_horse_history.htm

Many people have asked about how much weight a miniature horse can carry.  You will find many different weight amounts, of course a lot depends on the horse's size and build. 

On an average, we have always stuck with the 40 lbs and under.  Miniature horses were bred for pulling, not riding.  They can pull 2/3 of their weight, that's why most people drive their minnies, not ride them.  Yes, there are all sorts of saddles/bridles and other tack for miniatures, but that doesn't mean you can just let anyone ride them.  Before you get into miniatures, research them, every aspect from their history, the different organizations and registries and most importantly, figure out the reason why you want a miniature horse, and then find the right one for you.

This is Cocoa - our "ole lady".  She is 21yrs. old and is the main miniature that got us started with minatures.  She's "mom's (Patty) baby".  Back in 1996, when Patty had shoulder surgery and pins put in, she had to stay away from horses - entirely.  So to keep the sanity and a happy environment around the homefront, three miniatures were purchased from Tag-Along Farms in Virginia.  Since then, we've had a few all the time.  

Cocoa loves attention.  She's the one the little nephews come over and ride or lead or just brush off.  She also loves to walk in parades.  She steps right up and steps high as if to say, "Look at me"!    Below is a picture of Hayden, our little nephew who loves horses.

    This is Cloey, Cocoa's daughter.  Cloey was our first filly out of Cocoa.  We had hoped to finish her off in harness, but she's only been ground driven so far.  She has been line driven both single and double.  She also lays down on cue and waits for those treats.  Her legs are straight, her teeth are straight and she would make an excellent show prospect.  She has the bloodlines, she's just too tall for AMHA.  She is only registered with WCMHR because it cost so much to register both parents from AMHA to AMHR and then register her.  Cloey is coming 5 yrs. old, but she'll always be "our little baby".  LOL!  She knows how to use those big brown eyes, let me tell you!  She also has hubby wrapped around her little hoof! 

This spring I decided to cut Cloey's tail.  Below are the before/after pics of her tail.

Here are pics from 7/09.  All 3 minnies went to the Amish to be broke to drive as a team.  Lil John was the only one actually in harness before.  Cocoa did fantastic - learning to drive at 21 yrs. of age!  Cloey is a little hot rod - always wanting to go.  I've driven all 3 of them, taking turns driving as a team.  We finished mowing the yard when the mower broke, it took all afternoon for just a section!  Oh well, it was an experence and very fun.

This is Little John.  We bought him off the internet from a wonderful person in TX.  Lil John has been the "special" one of the bunch, even when we had up to 12 miniatures!  He has a personality of his own.  He drives wonderfully, can do an obstacle course (when he's in the mood), and jump.  Our youngest daughter showed him in the area county fair and won Grand Champion each year she did show him.  Now, he's "momma's little pet" because our daughter has decided "boys" are more interesting.  :-(  John enjoys himself when he gets half a chance to sneak into the house.  He LOVES watching the commercials on TV and knows right where and how to get his favorite treats - carrots - out of the fridge!  If John had his way, he'd be living full time in the house with us - not in some dumb ole barn.  John lays down, (allows me to hold his hind legs up so he can get his belly scratched while he's on his back), will stand pretty with one hoof in the palm of my hand, will bow, and will give kisses.  I would like to teach him more "tricks", just need to know how and what. 

Little John loves attention, too; no matter how he gets it!  If you walk by their pen and don't stop to visit them, John will literally climb the gate, stand as tall as he can get, and then push on the gate to make noise.  Most people flip out, worried he'll get his little hooves caught in the gate if they were to go inbetween the pipes, but he knows better!  He knows people will rush right over to him!  "Who has whom trained?!?"  Little John loves to be driven.  When we go up the road, he'll step right up, prance very lightly, and just goes and goes and goes.  He also loves to go to "grandpa's house" for treats.  He has grandpa trained well!  LOL  He also has all ready tried out the new porch that they just put up.  He walked right up on and started pawing at the door, wanting in.  The porch wasn't good enough!  He knows soon as he gets inside, he gets treats.  At "grandpa's" house he gets cookies, donuts, bread, and all sorts of treats.  In the pics below, he has just gotten treats and was inpatient, wanting to go back and get more treats.  What a character he is.