MINIATURE HORSE OWNERS/BREEDER/LOVERS STAND UNITED…….
ONE BOOMING VOICE TO PROTECT OUR TREASURED MINIS

Recently, Miniature Horse Owners, Breeders, and Lovers have been made aware of the constant and escalating use of our beloved breed in unsanctioned, profit driven Junior Rodeos across America, predominantly in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, and into Alberta, Canada. We also have concerns about the growing use of miniature horses being ridden in for all types of sports.

We have formed an alliance, sharing messages and emails, expressing our concern for our wonderful Miniature Horses being used in the perilous sport of bronco busting. Our voices express our disgust, horror, and grief....ours eyes have been opened.... and we all feel the urgency to educate the world about this destructive use of the Miniature Horse breed by some profit driven rodeo people.

Let us enlighten you about the breed: The Miniature Horse is its own breed….a height based breed….and was declared a separate breed in 1978 by American Miniature Horse Association.  They are not small “big horses. Minis are small, very docile equines that have been selectively bred down through generations to their current small stature with a unique small bone structure.

Miniature horses that are 34 inches and under in height is the rule for the American Miniature Horse Association and for the “A” division of the American Miniature Horse Registry. The “B” division rule of the AMHR is horses that are 34 to 38 inches tall. Height for both registries is determined by taking the vertical distance from the ground at the point where the last mane hairs are found at the base of the neck. They were not bred to be ridden, but very small children could ride them. Research that has been done on behalf of the clubs, although all sources don't agree. The AMHA states that miniatures are not meant to be ridden. It is discouraged for all but very small children, up to 35-40 lbs, to ride the minis up to 34" and that weight includes the saddle, etc. It is considered any weight over 20% of the horse's body weight is too much of a load and could cause permanent structural damage, causing harm to the animal. The "B" division (over 34"to 38") of American Miniature Horse Registry children can weigh about 60 pounds. All of this is determined for minis over 3 years old and trained gradually to accept weight. It is very obvious that many of these un-sanctioned Junior Rodeo circuits knowingly disregard this vital information and continue to use miniature bucking broncos with much larger children on the backs of this delicate breed.

There exists another tremendous concern…the Junior Rodeo participants riding bareback, bucking miniature horses, labeled as “Rank Minis”, are only 5 to 9 years old. This is blatant child welfare endangerment.

Our voice is loud and clear after viewing the many disturbing photos and videos available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Internet.....

From D.A. in Florida : "I am writing to express my concern and disgust regarding the practice of using mini-horses and small ponies for the dubious rodeo sport of bucking. Based on a forty year + international career with horses I am qualified to judge this use of mini-horses as abusive and cruel. Their size, conformation, and breeding are not conducive to strenuous forced activity and they are not a weight bearing equine due to size and lightness of bone. Those factors not withstanding the fact that they are made to endure ropes tied tightly under their groin area to cause them to buck and twist in pain is an obviously abusive technique forced upon them.

Also very disturbing is the fact that the small children attempting to ride them through a bucking cycle are subject to serious injury from the impact of falls not to mention that their bodies are not fully developed and the trauma placed on their joints and spines leaves them subject to future disabilities. Child endangerment is how I classify what the parents and guardians of them are guilty of and I hope that proper authorities are notified to take action to protect these children."

From N.D. in Texas : "I am owner of ******** Miniature Horses. I am an upstanding member of American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). I have been raising and showing these mini horses for sixteen years. Trainers have been showing my horses for fifteen years. I own World Top Ten and World Top Five minis. I am writing about concerns I have of people using miniature horses as rodeo stock for kids. I have seen many photos on Facebook using these small horses as bucking Broncs. The kids are too big for these little horses. The minis are being abused and not being treated humanely. The kids are spurring these little horses. Hot shots or electric prods are also being used. Myself and other miniature horse owners are appalled at this abuse of the beloved miniature horse. I am hoping you can help to us get this abuse stopped. These miniature horses don't deserve this kind of treatment. They are frightened and tormented to do what these abusers are making them do. They want them to buck and be nasty. They use the horrible term "rank" to describe their miniature rodeo stock. These groups are hurting the "miniature horse" breed!"

From T.F. in Texas : "We have been breeding, showing, and loving miniature horses for 17 years. We have also taken minis to Nursing Homes and private Birthday parties for people and children to pet and love. We are witnessing very small AMHA sized minis being roped, ridden, dragged to the ground, shocked or "flanked", spurred....on and on. The children on them are too heavy and will destroy the backs of these small horses. Tight bucking straps are used and as I said earlier they are shocked to make them Buck because this is not their Nature or purpose!! All of us who love miniatures are shocked and sickened to see these tiny horses abused day after day!! It is so wrong. They were not bred to be rodeo bucking stock. Why do these bullies want to crush these little horses spirits, backs, and minds!!"

From A.L. in Minnesota : "I am an owner and trainer of Miniatures and Shetland Ponies located in Western Minnesota . I started the business nearly 24 years ago and since it has grown to one of the most successful small equine stables in the Midwest . I am also a Senior recognized judge for the American Miniature Horse Registry, American Shetland Pony Club and American Show Pony Registry – I have traveled around the country and internationally representing the interests of these clubs and promoting the breeds listed. Part of that responsibility is recognizing when animal neglect and abuse is occurring. I am also a critical care paramedic employed in downtown Minneapolis , Minnesota . I know the effects of stress and abuse on the human body. I also know general heights and weights of children as they grow.

Miniature horses, with their small stature, comes a smaller bone structure and therefore less carrying capacity. Based on the pictures presented on several Facebook pages (and subsequently removed after comments were made) the miniature horses that are being used are quite small.  Several pictures indicated animals that are not even taller than the solid plates on the “bucking shoots”. After speaking to several rodeo professionals, I have found out that these solid plates are typically 3ft in height. Several of these pictures also clearly depict “youth” that are 4’-6” tall. Based on my medical knowledge, the typical 4-5 year old child would weigh 35-40 pounds. A person who is clearly 4’-6” tall is approaching 100 pounds or more. This would be over twice what a miniature can physically carry!

The second thing that I have noticed while scanning the pictures is the level of downright abuse. There are many pictures of “kids”, multiple at a time, chasing and tying up these small horses then throwing them to the ground. It has been my experience that even the “wildest” miniature horse will stand quietly when educated and handled gently – as a breed; they are the kindest and gentlest of animals. These rodeo people are using force to cause these animals to buck, kick and be “nasty”. In one photo that they exhibit, they actually promote the use of shock sticks to “encourage” the animals. The use of these inhumane devices needs to stop immediately."

We, as American Miniature Horse Breeders, Owners, and Lovers, have clearly validated our concerns. If you are an animal lover, a horse enthusiast, a human being...HELP US save the integrity of the Miniature Horse breed...HELP US protect these unique and wonderful equines from an abusive sport they were never bred to participate in.... and HELP US save young children from bodily harm in the Junior Rodeo world. We implore you to Sign, Share, and Comment. 

Thank You!

P.B., N.D., L.L.W.