Miniature But Mighty

We are all likely familiar with the saying “Enjoy the little things.” Olsen’s Grain employee Michelle Whan is no stranger to the fact that good things come in small packages – namely, her miniature horses. Whan has been involved with miniature horses for a very long time and shared some of the amazing things she has done with minis in order to enrich the lives of others.

You have probably heard of therapy dogs. But what about therapy miniature horses? Whan, alongside Horses With Heart, a fantastic organization that provides therapeutic benefits through horsemanship, visits retirement homes with her minis. The residents light up when they see the minis coming, and some of them are even reminded of time they spent growing up on a farm or ranch, because the horses bring back that connection.

But these minis aren’t just therapeutic – Whan is also part of the Saguaro State Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse Club. The purpose of this organization is to bring “small equine” enthusiasts together by holding clinics, meet-and-greet days, shows and more.

So, what can a mini do? Check out this excerpt directly from the SSCAZ website:

 

“Like any horse, minis like a job. Any job will do as long as you and the horse enjoy it. The biggest benefit to a job is the bonding that happens between you and your horse. The side benefits are that we get to spend time with our horses, sometimes at home, sometimes as a group of fun-loving members out for a day of socializing, learning new things, and trying new skills.”

 

Whan made sure to emphasize that there is a lot you can do with your mini, from driving to in-hand obstacles. Miniature horses can also provide a way for children to gain confidence in equine-handling and care. Ultimately, these horses may be little in stature, but their impact is large. QCBN

By Cheyenne Brown

Cheyenne Brown is the marketing manager for Olsen’s Grain.