Is My Mini Pregnant?

Mini Horses

Herd Master
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
9,291
Reaction score
29,337
Points
728
Location
S coastal VA
http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/

Many, many, many years ago some old breeders (before registries, etc) used dwarves in breeding, thinking it would just give small horses. Sadly, many more issues were there and many carried the genetics. There are distinct types and until a few years ago there was no testing to detect the genes. Years of research, with samples from thousand of minis, dedicated workers and they now have testing available. While the genetics can be passed by one to another, it takes both parents carrying the genetics to produce a dwarf. The link above have a good deal of discussion and research info as we, as a group, were active in assisting to promote this work. The lead research was from one of the largest and best known mini farms in the country.

You may find some helpful info, if you haven't already found this site. Scroll down and click on "dwarfism in miniatures" to left of page. Can be read with no log-in, etc.
 

Bunnylady

Herd Master
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
2,431
Reaction score
3,058
Points
353
Location
Wilmington, NC
@Mini Horses - thank you so much for posting that link.
It's been several years since I did any reading on the subject of dwarfism in minis, and as I am not a breeder, I hadn't felt a need to keep myself current. It is wonderful to see that there is now a test for one type of dwarfism - I have no doubt that it will help in the reduction of the number of births of that type, at least. However, the "hot dog" type of dwarf - one with a longish back, and very short legs - is apparently caused by a defective gene in another location, and there apparently is no test for that yet. More work to be done, I guess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TAH

rescueblonde

Loving the herd life
Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
104
Reaction score
96
Points
108
The vet doesn't think my mini is in bad shape at all but he's staying very involved with the foal to make sure everything is okay. I had no idea she was pregnant when I got her. As I said, she came from some horrendous conditions on a 1-2 acre piece of land with 150-200 other minis. I'm assuming she was an "oops" pregnancy on the lot and so is her foal.
 

Bunnylady

Herd Master
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
2,431
Reaction score
3,058
Points
353
Location
Wilmington, NC
Whether it was a hoarder situation or a "rescue," your girl is well out of it. You are obviously trying your best to do right by her; this is a tough situation, hoping for a good outcome.
 

TAH

Herd Master
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
4,049
Reaction score
3,369
Points
403
Did she ever have her baby?
 

Youngfarmer2019

True BYH Addict
Joined
Nov 22, 2022
Messages
683
Reaction score
2,051
Points
223
Location
Northwestern NC
Don't own any mini's, but would like to see where this goes...my friend had a horse that got pregnant and she didn't know she was pregnant until the night before she gave birth🤷‍♀️ quarter horse tho, definitely not mini. turned into a nice little colt tho...
57336.jpg
 
Top