| Archive for Little Steppers Informative and fun.. |
| KanoasDestiny |
I NEED HELP!!! I was just offered ANOTHER horse. Jennifer (the person I am getting Zoey from) has been telling me that she really thinks that I should get a friend for Zoey, whether a goat or another horse. I have to admit that I don't want another horse, I'm scared as it is with getting one for the first time. And a goat...  . So I have been at a dilema.
Jennifer ended up offering me her newborn filly for a good price. I turned her down and she sold her and her momma to someone else. Well, she has been questioning me about a friend for the past 5 days, and I just didn't know what to do. She told me about an auction that had minis for sale and unfortunately I couldn't go. But...she had told her friend about my problem and her friend purchased a yearling colt for $200 and told Jennifer that I could have him if I wanted him for the same price.  Talk about guilt!!! So I have decided to take him, that way Zoey will have a firend when she arrives. I figure if I decide in time that I just don't want too and Zoey is well adjusted, then I may give him to one of my family members who also want a mini.
So now, I need to have a farrier look at him because he needs foot work, he will also have to have vacinations because we don't know if he has had his shots. And he will have to be guilded before Zoey gets mature. This is a lot of extra expense, not to mention that the feed is twice as much and possibly board (since I am boarding at a neighbors house), halters, blankets, and everything else. I don't know what to expect price wise with one, not to mention two. Does anyone have any insight on this or a possible range of monthly cost for two? I would greatly appreciate any info or advice. 
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| Sher |
Wow! You've really been thinking about things, haven't you? Well, first of all, Minis don't cost as much as full-sized horses do, except for farrier and vet costs. I don't know what they charge in CA, but here in Western New York State the shots for the year were around $200.00, that's counting the West Nile Virus vaccine Lady needed plus the booster. If you don't show your horses, the shots shouldn't cost any more than that for the battery of shots that they need. Your vet can fill you in on that. A paste wormer is good for at least three doses, so you can worm both of them with the same wormer, maybe twice if they don't weigh much by the time the next worming is due ( about 6-8- weeks later ). Keep the unused portion of the wormer in your refrigerator until you need it again. I don't forsee your need for blankets, if you don't keep them shaved. They'll grow their coat according to your weather patterns. Halters don't cost too much, and Lady only used 4 bales of first-cut grass hay since last September and throughout the Winter, and we get snow and below freezing temps here. The bales weighed around 75 pounds, I'd guess. I don't grain Lady, so I can't figure a cost for your two to be grained, but it still will be cheaper than a full-sized horse would eat. Your neighbor should be a good citizen and let you board both of them for one price, as they can use the stall together if you should ever have to put them inside for any reason. By-the-by, Lady is a 36" B Mini mare, so if yours are smaller, they'll eat even less! Hope this helped! You're gonna have a blast this Summer! Congratulations!!  
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| McBunz |
If you do not want a second horse do not let
anyone talk you into it. See how Zoey makes out by herself.Many horses do just fine by themselves. If you get her a goat companion, get a hornless one . Goats play lets butt heads and it could cost Zoey an eye or an injury. Sher's Lady is a one horse family and gets the best of everything. If more than one is going to stretch your budget so you have to do with less than you would like for Zoey, this is not fare to you or to her. |
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| Betty B |
Ditto what McBunz said. While there are many horses that need a companion they are many that are happy as a lark to be alone too. I have a couple of them! They don't want pasture mates.
Get Zoey and go from there. Don't let anyone pressure you. |
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| Joyce |
Sorry I have a different opinion. Zoey being sooo young, they love to play. If Zoey was in your back yard I would think Zoey would feel enough attention from you and think of you as a playmate. But.... since Zoey is going to be boarded he might get lonely. Has Zoey been with playmates since birth? My yearly's have been together since birth and love each other's company. They are playing and running all the time.
Most Horses being hered animals as goats are, like company! I have the two boys and I don't notice any big exspense having two compared to one. Now if I had more I would notice. Two are more fun than one. Sounds like a good price for the second one that may not come your way again. Just my opinion. All my critters have a companion. I have only come across one who didn't like company & I've had many critters over the years. |
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| McBunz |
Don't be sorry Joyce...Your opinion is as good as anyones. | ||||
| littlestep |
Well ask 6 people and get 6 opinions..LOL
I am with Joyce..I feel like a horse is MUCH happier and secure if it has company..especially babies..she could develope ulcers from stress and your vet bill would be bigger than just getting her a friend to begin with..I could not have a baby all by itself..But this is just my humbled opinion.. |
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| Joyce |
Yeah, well last time you agreed with me C we got in trouble!
I think it involved you cat... 
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| Betty B |
Well....i hate it when i have to rethink my answers  but there are a lot of good points here. If i understand it right Zoey is a young horse? Perhaps a friend may be the best at this time then.
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| McBunz |
I agree with you guys to a point, but we are talking a a yearling colt with a baby filly here.
He will know that he is all male long before he is ready to geld..He will play rough, he will be mounting this baby every chance he gets and maybe chasing the B geebers out of her.He may stress her more than being alone. |
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| Joyce |
Well second thought .... I re-read your post. It may be a little extra upfront cost of getting the yearling gelded. But that's only a one time cost. Hopefully the neighbor would not charge you double for boarding or at least give you a break in that fee. Still I think it's worth it for your little filly. Sorry I missed that Zoey was a she in your post first time around | ||||
| Joyce |
That's right, I was wondering about that too Mcbunz. She should try to get one that is close to the same age and or gender?? | ||||
| Joyce |
That's true ... they play rough. My two boys still don't have all their
marbles! I mean that more than one way... so I still can't get them fixed yet
BUT they are very rough with each other and very much to the point if you know what I mean.  Would not want a little filly to go through that
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| littlestep |
Well I believe this is a weanling?? 4 month old..right??
Years ago I sold a weanling he was suppost to get a friend soon..I offered her friends out the yang..next thing I knew they needed a deck and a pool and and and.. He ended up living in a garage ..Much alone..got mean..gee I wonder why..so he got gelded..that will make a mean gelding NOT a good horse.. Anywho..boys play ruffer with each other..even bigger foals seem to play gentler with younger ones..and they learn the herd dynamics to a point.. |
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| McBunz |
My first Dixie the saddle horse was three yrs. when I got
her. She already had a foal..Had to be bred as a yearling. So if this colt is not ready to geld they might have to be separate anyhow a little ways down the road. Add fencing to the cost of getting a colt. 
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| McBunz |
Anyone worring about smoke, forget it. Nobody should be
getting upset here.. And I don't think anyone is. We
don't have to always agree on everything..So don't go running for cover....All is cool.. foxhug foxhug 
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| KanoasDestiny |
Thank you guys for all the ideas and thoughts. I do agree that Zoey definatley needs a friend with only being 4 months old. I want it to be easier for her, especially since she won't know me either. I wish it would have been a filly around her age, but I turned that down because I was afraid of showing favortism towards Zoey, even if I didn't mean to. I do worry that he may hurt her by playing to rough, or him trying to mount her since he is of that age where hormones are getting stronger.
I guess that I will get him, see how they do with each other and go from there. If she seems like she really does like having him around, and he is calm, then I don't mind keeping him. But if she seems like she is more content with me being around, and he gets too abnoxious, then perhaps I will give him to my aunt (who has horses also). I have to admit, I did feel pressured into taking the little guy, but my mom says that once he arrives, I'll fall in love with him too. I hope she is right. Jennifer says that he is underweight, and he is still in his woolies. She believes that he was from a pasture, and has had little human contact. He can be lead, but she still thinks he has been abused or neglected. I guess this is the right place for him because he will get plenty of love here and as for the weight? You can't live at my house without getting fat! By the way, when can a filly get pregnant? I want to wait to get him guilded, until he has some meat on his bones. But since Zoey is never meant to get bred, I don't want to wait too long wither. |
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| McBunz |
I really don't know how young the youngest filly to be bred was, but
colts don't produce as much sperm until the marbles are in the marble bag.. But you have to remember it only take one sperm to do the job. Fillies cycle about 8 months..The colt could be two or older before both testies are down and ready for removal and still be able to breed the filly. |
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| KanoasDestiny |
Yikes!!! So if I have about 4 months left until she begins to come in season, there is still no guarantee that his little berries will descend by then. I have no idea what to do. My neighbors yard isn't that big, to build another whole corral for him, so that he isn't with her. Perhaps if I give her 3 months to adapt to her new home, then give him away (if he can't yet be guilded), she'll so ok? I know a stallion will stop at nothing once he knows what he wants to do. He would have to have a really good, strong corral built. I hope he is descended already!
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| littlestep |
Well colts can be gelded as soon as 3 or 4 month..BUT it is a more invasive procedure..I always leave our foals together the year they born and through the wintermonth..comes spring is seperation time..good luck,..also consider even if you have him where they can see each other and they seperated by fence..it still helps her to not be as lonely..as long as they can touch noses! 
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| KanoasDestiny |
There is another corral connected to hers. I was just going to leave the gate off, so that her's could be a lot bigger. But it is cattle paneling (with 4 feet tall - 1X1-1/2 inched square wiring, so that legs or hooves can't get caught). Do you think that would be strong enough to keep him in his side? | ||||
| Sher |
Two thoughts come to mind here, one from your other post up above. If she gets to be his "buddy" for 3 or 4 months and then you take him away, it'll be really tough on her for about a month or two if there aren't any other horses around. Just something to think about. As for the cattle panels, I think someone on here posted a few days ago about her or his Mini jumping over a cattle panel to get to the mares. Am I remembering right, Girls, or did I maybe read that in "Equus", too? Some days my mind is totally gone ........ 
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| KanoasDestiny |
I would only take him away if he became too hard to handle, seemed like a threat to her or they didn't really bond. I feel like I am in a no win situation. He is older, and a "he". Yet he may not have dropped already, which makes it impossible to guild him without costing me an arm and a leg. Then as someone else said, he can still breed even if he isn't completely descended.
I know she needs a friend, but I am not willing to chance her becoming pregnant. I am hoping that he may already be dropped, so that the surgery can happen within the next few months. This should be a happy time, not so stressing. Does it never end?
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| McBunz |
Well here is another bubble burster.
This is Elfie..She was concieved thur a fence and is now 6 months old.. A surprise package born in late November. |
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| Joyce |
Yes. but it's nice to be surprised sometimes! And she is adorable
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| Joyce |
Why? Should I say somthing creative just to test us out?? [b] Just kidding .... no thank you 
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| littlestep |
Well..another thought..if you consider cost of gelding ..you might find a unregistered filly somewhere..??
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| Betty B |
You guys been busy today. As i was out pitching poo i was thinking. Great discussion. Ok, i got the facts
A 4 month old filly and a yearling colt. I would seperate them with a line fence. They could see each other but they would be seperate. And that is because he is a yearling intact male. She will get the benefit of company but won't have the hassle of a yearling colt messing with her. Just my thoughts And that way you won't have to part with him and have her be lonely again. Geld him when he is dropped and that will help your finances.
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| Joyce |
Wow that sounds so easy Bluebell. Sounds good to me except for what about little Elfie concieved through the fence?? That could happen again a surprise. Then she would have three horses to take care of.
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| Betty B |
LOL Oh yes! Well put some distance between those 2 fences, have hot wire and geld that boy as soon as he is intact. Or maybe use some kind of panels and put a hot wire about his neck height inside the panels. Help! |
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| Joyce |
That sounds like a plan. What do you think KanoasDestiny? It could work. Don't stress... whatever you decide these things have a way of working out and possibly were meant to be. |
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| littlestep |
How about a rescue mare..or a older mare for babysitting??
http://www.tcady.com/angelwings/ |
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| Betty B |
Well that is what i would do. Keeps it simple. |
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| Joyce |
Yes that would be better. No gelding exspense to worry about either.
I think she has committed (sp?) to this little guy though.?? not sure So much easier, either another filly or an older one who would be a mother type |
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| KanoasDestiny |
Dog-gone-it!!! Everytime I get on here to write something, someone calls and interupts the phoneline. Then I get kicked off for a whole half hour. 
Yes, I am now committed to the colt. But goodness, a goat sure is sounding good right about now. I may just decide to give the little guy away and buy the goat. No pregnancies, no rough playing (maybe a little but I doubt she'd be kicked in the head), no guilding.
Thanks for posting Elffie, that makes me feel SOOOOO much better!!! She sure is cute though. I just can't chance Zoey getting pregnant, or I would love to have a little baby around. Of course, my luck it would be a little boy.
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| KanoasDestiny |
I just noticed that I keep spelling it guilding! Where did that come from? I know how to spell, I swear. Reminds me guilitine's or something (off with his head!). 
Anyways, I mean gelding!!!
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| McBunz |
Cute yes, but a foaling would likely kill a young mini..You take a lot of chances with a fully grown mini but a immature one is really asking for trouble.
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| KanoasDestiny |
Yes, I definately do not want a baby, cute as they are. I would feel terrible if something happened to Zoey during birth, either while she was young or old. | ||||
| McBunz |
I am with Betty and Christine now...A filly or a mare and save yourself
a lot of headaches, even a young jenny..
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| Joyce |
Yeah, I think so too. A lot less stress. How committed are you? Not too late to change your mind. I was also thinking if he has been neglected or alone, not socialized with other horses, he may not like the company May be lacking social skills |
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| Six |
Going to bounce in here.. I'm with Joyce on the socializing issue as he may not be used to being handled He may be better for an experienced handler unless he is a pussy cat some are some aren't
IMHO I think all horses should have a buddy but it dosen't hurt to try without for awhile.. Good Luck with whatever way you decide 
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| McBunz |
Reminded me of gold plating, like baby shoes...Wondered if maybe you were going to have some gold marbles..  foxhug
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| KanoasDestiny |
HAHA. You guys crack me up.
I have thought LONG and HARD on this and I am going to get him for sure. From there, I will just see how he and Zoey get along, if he is easy to handle, if he is horny, etc. These are the main things I will be judging. If I click with him, then he will be worth all the extra finance. But if we just don't bond too well, I will make sure that he gets a good home with people who are experienced. I don't think I will have a problem with Zoey because Jennifer says that she is a pest and wants human attention constantly. But she says that this little guy seems distant, like he doesn't care if he has the handling or not. I'm not really sure what to expect yet. |
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| littlestep |
Can you ask her to check if he is descented..my One yearling has One marble down.. | ||||
| KanoasDestiny |
I asked her but right now, he is still at her friend's house, so she doesn't know too much about him. Her friend's mare had a foal and the foal wasn't doing too good last I heard, so I figure that Jennifer doesn't want to ask a lot about the new guy just yet. She was supposed to try and go pick him up yesterday, so that him and Zoey could get to know each other before they were stuck with each other. But now, she says that she may go and get him a day this week, or she will definately go and get him Saterday night. So, now it is kind of the same situation as if Zoey just came here and didnt know anyone.
Boy oh boy, I sure hope he has both descended!!! That would make things a lot easier. I think he would be happier if he was a gelding and if I decide to give him to my aunt (she lost her only horse in February), then I know a gelding would be better for her. My other aunt has several horses and I know she could handle a stallion. Would the vet want to wait to geld until he has put some weight on? |
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| littlestep |
No..I don't think so..I would have it all done at once if he is decended..shots, worming, sedate and geld..than build him up | ||||
| Six |
I agree, I would get the vet to do the shots while he is snoozing he will never know what hit him especially if he is a little bit spooky they seem to remember the ouchy stuff. Your vet can tell you what you will need for vaccs in your area, if where you are boarding them there are other horses coming & going you will most likely require more vaccines. |
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| littlestep |
Well..If he is NOT descended he will need his shots earlier..IF he is NOT sick..
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| KanoasDestiny |
I hope he isn't sick! That would not be a good start. Jennifer said he appeared healthy, but coming from an auction, anything is possible.
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| littlestep |
Well if he has been through an auction you might want to quarantanee him for at least 2 weeks..
Got any pics you wanna share with us?? |
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| KanoasDestiny |
I wish I could quarantee him for a while but he will be traveling up here with Zoey, so it wouldn't do any good once they have already been exposed to each other.
I wish I had a pic of him. I am absolutely clueless to what he looks like. The only thing I know is he is small (she says he will probably be smaller than Zoey when they are grown, and Jennifer doesn't expect her to be over 30") and he is sorrel. She asked what my husband and I plan to name him, and I couldn't give her a name when I haven't even seen him yet. It's gotta be fitting.
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| Six |
Right
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| KanoasDestiny |
Just wanted to let youguys know, I asked my neighbor and she is fine with me getting the little colt. She isn't even charging me extra for it. What a relief! | ||||
| Joyce |
That's great! See things are already falling into place. Don't stress
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| lilfolks |
Our first miniature horse was alone for almost a year and it didn't bother him a bit. Probably some horses it might and others don't seem to mind at all. Just my two cents worth. Course the next year our herd grew.,
all the way to 32 at one point. Now I have 13 here and need to cut back a little more to make life easier as we are older now. Got our first mini in 1986. |
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| lilfolks |
We had one mini for a number of months before we got the 2nd one and he never seemed to mind being along at all, he had balls to play with and plenty of attention and he did fine alone. We decided to get the 2nd one so we'd each have one to take walks with. After that the mares came one by one and Little Folks Farm was started. Minis are very addicting.
My high figure was 32 and now I have 13 and hope to cut back some more as we've been doing this since the mid 80's and are getting older and need to cut back on work. I presently have 3 mares I would part with to good homes only. Joyce L |
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