Miniature Horse Field Trip

I recently went on a little field trip to Elmira Ontario to go visit some miniature horses! Yes they're beautiful, yes, they're small, but how would they fair on the micro-farm? This question, is exactly what I wanted to find out about. 

At first glance, I scratched my head, "This woman has horses in her backyard?" Our first stop on the field trip was the downtown Elmira home of a sweet a Mennonite woman and owner of several miniature horses - Sweet Dreams Miniature Horses - her business and hobby. Low and behold we stepped into her backyard 15 metres from a public school to find an immaculate annual garden with three mini horses in a back paddock, munching hay under a small shady tree. They didn't smell, and they were very quiet and peaceful. 

You are looking at half her yard! Micro-animal husbandry? It's happening in more backyards then you think!

The horses were very shy but sweet, and the owner/breeder loved to tell us all about her hobby and what one could do and expect with their very own miniature horse. One thing that I had heard in passing before was the use of miniature horses in guide services as Guide Mini-Horses, check it out- guidehorse.com. They can also be registered as certified service companions and therapy animals. When ever I hear about therapy animals it makes my heart happy - we need more of that!

This one mare named "Suzy" had one blue eye and one brown - she was very curious and affectionate.

 Suzy was probably my favourite mini horse of the day - that one blue eye had me a first wink. I'm actually very allergic to horses (minis included) so I wont be coming home with a miniature horse anytime soon - unless medical advances in the "allergy" department give me a full cure and pass. The basis of the trip was with friends and family, to learn something new and explore - plus we love
animals!

She was by far the most out-going of the day - very interested in food we might have.

Our next stop was visiting her boarding facility a few minutes drive away. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day for this trip - it was sunny and warm and the horses were happy to see us,  and boy, were they photogenic! First to greet us was this gorgeous farm dog - which I suspect to be half Border Collie or Australian Shepard and half Bernese Mountain Dog. She was so sweet.

I'll let the rest of the photos roll on and speak for themselves. I can definitely say they would make excellent pets for those who have the space, budget and time. My micro farm isn't quite large enough for mini horses but, how awesome would it be to "mini" plow with these guys?

Just as silly and playful as a small dog - I was very surprised at this! What a goof!

Please note; this is a regular large sized horse, she was also very pretty, and very friendly!

The other farm dog - this family had the prettiest of farm dogs!
My dogs would be terrible on the farm, they can't even chase
squirrels away from my corn!

I just love the big brown eyes.

Such sweeties nuzzling up to each-other! 

Two younger girls, they have shorter manes and fuzzy coats still.

Smokey the adorable little young stallion - who was for sale... See how I fought temptation here!

I've never posted about horses - and truth be told; I'm incredibly allergic, it's sad. But these guys were a real treat, they calm you down, I could almost imagine sending myself back in time and having them help me pull a cart around the farm or to the market. There is just something so whimsical about miniature horses, the photographer in me has so many fairy-tail photo shoot ideas.  If you're interested in Miniature horses, do your research, they require the same care and love as average size horses, and they still weigh a lot - so watch your toes! What a great day for a field trip! If you have any questions or comments about this field trip, please post below!