Page 28 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

AN INTERVIEW WITH A BREEDER
Do you see any difference in today's miniature Do you show your own horse or use a professional
horse compared to those from 10 years ago? handler and why?
Yes, There are a greater number of horses I enjoy training and showing my own horses in the
available who are continuing to improve in amateur classes. I do use professional handlers
proportion, refinement and beauty. who know how to turn out and show horses to
win Open Class National and World titles. Judges
If so, what are the biggest differences you see? seem to award the professionals over talented
Two big concerns I have are with the ASPC amateur handlers in the open classes at the big
Shetlands now being allowed to hardship into championship shows.
the AMHA registry if they measure 34 inches or
less. Dispostion in my opinion is an issue. Some Do you groom your own horse? At what age do
shetland bloodlines can be difficult, high strung you begin to groom your foals?
and require a skilled handler. AMHA’s slogan, Yes I do groom my own horses. I think that is a
„The horse for everyone“ no longer applies. The great way to establish a loving relationship with
second issue is these bloodlines bring much taller your horse(s). I scratch their itchy spots and start
genetics into the 34 inch requirement which can rubbing my hands over the young babies‘ coats
contribute significantly to horses maturing over and legs to get them used to being touched
34 inches and no longer be eligible to show everywhere. Then I start seriously grooming the
AMHA or keep their AMHA papers which are foals after weaning between four and six months
required to be surrendered for cancellation if of age. I also complete the initial halter training at
the horse goes over 34 inches. These tall foals this time.
are often purchased by unknowing new buyers.
These over 34 inch horses, if they have AMHR Egbert-3 black diamonds 2012
papers, can still participate in AMHR shows if
they dont go over AMHR‘s 38 inch height limit.

What aspect(s) do you think that breeders
need to work on improving?
What I worked on consistently for many years
is producing the majority of foals that will stay
within the 34 inch AMHA requirement. This has
become a big problem for breeders in both the
AMHA and the AMHR as they incorporate the
modern shetland genes into their programs to
get the high head set and/or big movement. A
number of breeders don‘t seem to care about Do you show outside of your own country?
this height requirement and continue to sell A number of years ago I had the privilege to show
new owners horses that won‘t qualify for the in the Netherlands for the European owners of
registries. A height guarantee would help Scott Creek horses. I helped my German friend,
protect new buyers if the seller offered it, but if Egbert Tiemann of Aa Creek Ranch during one of
the horses are sent overseas, the possibility of the first AMHA European Championship Shows
return is almost impossible. with his Scott Creek „Black Diamonds“. Egbert
was a big sponsor of the ICAHM shows in the
At what age(s) do you evaluate your foals for Netherlands. Our horses also showed extensively
show potential? with their owners in the U.K. where at the Horse Of
I like to evaluate foals the first week of birth The Year Show (HOYS) I was awarded Miniature
because the bone structure is so easy to see and Horse Breeder of the Year and Sierra Dawn Unos
then after they are weaned and lose some of the Monarch was awarded Miniature Horse Sire of
fat gained from nursing. the Year two years in a row.

28 | Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023