Mini Magic

All the Little Horses

By Loren Spio�a -DiMare

After helping my beloved Quarter Horse to the Rainbow Bridge in 2019 I felt lost. My life revolved around Elwood aka Mr. El, or El. We rode Western while maneuvering trail obstacles in the ring and we also loved trail riding. El and I especially enjoyed liberty and trick training. Over the years we developed an amazing bond and he became a real Ham. I don’t think we would have shared such a close relationship with riding alone.

So, when my long-time trainer, Tiffany Totorello suggested we work with her Miniature Horse Buster at liberty I felt encouraged. Buster was 10 years old and basically a pasture pet. Tiff had purchased the little guy to become a companion to her Paint pony, Domino.

“I have to say, Buster’s personality is quite different from a full-size horse or a pony. He’s less flighty than a regular-size horse can be and is less reac�ve to new surroundings,” Tiffany shares. Then con�nues, “He’s also not stubborn like some ponies I have met. Nor does he have pony-tude! I guess you can say he’s the best of both worlds wrapped up in a small package.”

We started our lessons on a lead line. The first day a car drove past the ring. The li�le guy spooked and nearly pulled me off my feet! But his confidence grew quickly and he was off the line in no �me. And you could tell he really enjoyed his new job. So much so that I always say to Tiffany as we reach the round pen, “You go in the ring first and get his Yahoos out. Then I’ll take over.”

It’s so much fun to watch Buster gallop around the ring, bucking, dar�ng this way and that plus changing direc�on in the corners with great gusto! Eventually he does se�le down and I do take over. I hold a dressage whip to help give him direc�ons.

I ask him to walk or trot around the ring, turn direc�on, go over ground poles, back into poles, and jump. I have too much fun working with Buster.

I own a wonderful off-the-track Standardbred now. But there may well be a Mini in my future.

Because of his coloring I call Buster my li�le Rocky Mountain Horse. He and Minis in general are just too darn cute. But not only are they adorable, they’re versa�le.

Miniature horses descend from Shetland Ponies. They were bred specifically for their diminu�ve size and should be no more than 34” at the withers. Minis come in an array of a�rac�ve coat colors and pa�erns.

According to the American Miniature Horse Associa�on (AMHA) which was formed in 1978 and is located in Alvarado, Texas the Mini can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. They easily fill the role of companion, show horse, driving horse and much more. You name it. Most likely the Mini can do it.

Darla Daniel has been involved with horses throughout her life. She came by the passion naturally. Her mother was a barrel racer and riding instructor. Her father was a farrier.

From a young age, Darla excelled in all kinds of equine disciplines: riding, jumping, driving and more. She also had an impressive English and Western horse show career.

In her twen�es, Darla opened a horse boarding business in Califon, New Jersey. One of her clients wanted to teach her Mini to drive. Since Darla had experience driving with full-size horses she was wellsuited to the task. “It’s so much fun driving with the Minis. They just zip along. I love the feel of the wind in my hair,” Darla says enthusias�cally.

Later in life Darla followed in her father’s footsteps and became a farrier. She had already developed a special fondness for Minis and specialized in trimming their �ny hooves.

Ever the animal lover, Darla opened Orphan Anni-mals a farm animal sanctuary in 2016. She cares for horses, donkeys, cows, Alpacas, goats, pigs even a peacock on her 16-acre property in Glen Gardner.

There’s a small herd of mini horses at the farm. They have been relinquished or rescued. All are safe now and enjoy a life of leisure living with their mini donkey pals.

I was surprised and delighted to meet Roxxy, a Mini Palomino Therapy Horse, when she came to visit residents in my mother’s Assisted Living Community. Roxxy’s owner, 14-year-old Ana Merckx of Middletown, New Jersey, walked in beside her. Residents were especially excited to meet the small equine guest and her young handler. Then the ques�ons and cuddles began.

A na�ve of Bulgaria, Ana was adopted from an orphanage when she was four-years-old. She was a small child and due to her hard start in life and had some anger and coping issues. At six, horseback riding was recommended as an outlet for her. And thus, Ana’s love affair with horses began. “A whole new world opened up for me,” Ana says. “I loved being on such a powerful, beau�ful animal and feeling in complete control. It was also one of the few places where being small was an advantage.”

At 12 the young equestrian was preparing for her first horse show when her world fell apart. She learned she had a fused neck related to a gene�c disorder. Then came the really devasta�ng news, her doctor told her the consequences of being thrown would be fatal.

Ana’s beloved riding instructor tried to teach her especially safe ways to ride but she no longer felt safe. Sadly, young Ana hung up her s�rrups.

Not willing to give up her passion for horses, Ana started researching equine ac�ves that don’t involve riding. She locked in on liberty training. The only problem was her parents are fearful of full-size horses. Then the family had a Eureka moment! Miniature Horses!! They found a wonderful breeder in New York state. Ana and her mother drove up one weekend to meet with her and learn about Minis.

They came home with Odyssey a silver bay with blue eyes in the back of their van. Boy was Ana’s dad surprised! Though they did have two acres of land and a shed for their goats, so there was a pasture and shelter for the li�le horse already in place.

Six months later, Roxxy, a personable Palomino became available and joined the family. Ana has two close friends who also love horses. One’s father is a Standardbred Harness Racehorse trainer. He helped the girls learn to drive the Minis. And Roxxy’s previous owner taught Ana all about showing Minis. In no �me, the girls were compe�ng in 4-H shows.

Then Ana became interested in teaching Roxxy to be a Therapy Horse. A�er prac�cing the needed skills: not reac�ng to a wheelchair, walker, loud noises including barking, and standing pa�ently while being pet and hugged by different people they were tested by Creature Comfort Pet Therapy.

Once cer�fied the duo began visi�ng pa�ents in hospitals, residents in Assisted Living communi�es and nursing homes. They even par�cipated in a Destress event held in the engineering department of Rutgers University in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Ana especially enjoys the therapy visits.

Never one to sit s�ll she and her friends also show the Minis in halter, trail classes, in hand, driving, hunters and jumpers. Any �me spent with a Miniature Horse is a good �me. And that’s the Magic of Minis!

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