Torn on decision to make!

[rideaway]

I've had horses off and on throughout my life, and I love the grooming, feeding, horse smell, and even the manure clean-up most days. I sold my old mare over a year ago when I realized hay was just too expensive and I wasn't riding enough so she was getting very cranky. Talked to someone the other day re: miniatures and looked at a couple mini donkeys (very cute) that were for sale, but I can't justify $400 or $500 right now. Someone at the store knew I had looked at them and asked if I was going to buy. Said nope, don't want to spend that kind of money. She said "I have a great deal for you..." Usually that kind of offer makes me cringe, but I know this lady well, have watched her with her horses for years. She has a 15 yr old mini mare who clips, loads, bathes, is friendly and likes attention, but doesn't like being with other horses, so isn't fitting in well with her other minis and full grown horses. She only eats 1/3 of a flake twice a day, so hay wouldn't be much, and she doesn't eat grain regularly. The lady does her feet with a rasp and will teach me how to do it. The mare was never bred and so I probably wouldn't at this stage of the game. So, even tho I knew I shouldn't, I asked "how much?" The reply was "to you, free, because I know you'd give her a great home, and if it doesn't work out you can bring her back..."

Now when I sold my mare, I made a private deal with myself that I didn't need any animals on our five acres that didn't "provide" for us in some way, ex: pigs=meat, lambs=4-H auction, chickens=eggs, dogs=protection, cats=rodent control. A mini mare won't be able to do those things (well, I guess some manure for the garden and flowers-LOL) but I really am thinking about doing it. Hubby says it's up to me, which means if anything goes wrong, it's my responsibility. I don't mind that, but I don't want a fight if he has to feed one night because I'm late getting home.

Oh, what to do, what to do?

[AlchemyAcres]

ex: pigs=meat, lambs=4-H auction, chickens=eggs, dogs=protection, cats=rodent control. A mini mare won't be able to do those things.

Mini Mare=Happiness and fulfillment of a quality of life goal.

Life is short! Go for it!


~Martin

[nhlivefreeordie]

I agree with Martin, all of your bases are covered, free, it can be returned easily too, if ya got the space go for it. (pssst... I make those deals with myself all the time, they usually don't stick, thats why you never tell anyone about them...:lol: )

[Thyme]

The mini is providing . Manure for the garden. Here it is no longer free for the hauling, they sell it. She will also be providing stress relief & the chance to meditate while you are grooming & doing her clean up.

[backlash]

I love the grooming, feeding, horse smell,

I don't see what is holding you back.
If you can afford to feed her then you should accept her into your life.
She will give back more than she takes.
Kind of like our dogs and cats.
They don't provide anything except love and devotion.
Well maybe not the snooty cats so much but we like them.

backlash

[fancyfowl]

I went thru the " must have practical value" thing for a while. When I sold the last of the Haflingers I said thats it. A year later i got some minis just to have the sounds, smells and manure; they were enjoyable and the manure was great, worked as well as from the teams. Everything doesnt have to have a practical value.

[rideaway]

I'm going to take a look at her tomorrow at lunch, see if she's what I am interested in, check her attitude out a bit, etc. My hubby says he bets she'll be in the paddock this weekend...lol!

[backlash]

My money is on your husband being correct.:D

[mistyriver]

Not to put the pressure on but they are awfully cute. Here is ours:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/lisainnorthidaho/sarahjane.jpg

See...she's useful!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/lisainnorthidaho/sarahjane12.jpg

[rideaway]

Well, I went to see her and we are bringing her home today! No one here is suprised! She is a little overweight, but that will be easy to correct as she won't have any other horses to sneak feed from, and I think she is probably a few years older than 15, but should have a few good enjoyable years left in her. She looks like a fuzzy black catapiller. They call her nana, since they think of her as a old grandma, but I don't like the name, so will be working on another. I'll post pictures after we get her home and ask for suggestions!

[backlash]

That was an easy call. :)
Hope my wife never sees one up close.

[cinok]

Sometimes you just have to do it. if nothing for else just think of her as a stress relief.On a bad day my wife will go sit with her goats and just chill.