Just wondering, if shoe was on the other hoof…do BOs charge more for large draft horses?
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Good question. There seems to be two types of mini owners. Those that treat them no differently than full sized horses and those that see them as toys or playthings, something cute to have until the new wears off. Most everyone know that has minis keeps them in line and teaches them manners.
I have noticed that minis seem to relapse into “bad behavior” fairly quickly and have a near psychic ability to know exactly what they can get away with so “manners maintenance” can be an ongoing thing. They are very, very smart. I have found them more challenging in some ways than the full sized horses I have had.
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No, feed is usually the least of my expenses. I still have insurance, maintenance, labor, shavings and other supplies.
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The only difference I see if feed and that doesn’t really have to do with size. I have 2 horses, combined they eat less in 3 days than a single one of the other horses do in 1 day but we all pay the same. It’s just how it is. I feel like every horse has their more expensive aspects of living and it all evens out.
No, but when we had foals, we had reduced rates for foals and weanlings.
Thanks. That’s what I thought. A non-horsey friend asked and insisted on me finding a place with a pony rate. I had never heard of such a thing, but have known a few charge extra for an oversized stall (usually a foaling stall).
My pony is an absolute saint and not pony-like at all. Maybe that would be a help if we move in the future…but I’d still prefer he lives out 24/7.
Sometimes. I know several around here that won’t even take them as they don’t have hot wire fences, a lot of drafts have reputations for destroying gates/fences/buildings. Although I have only encountered that tendency with ones that have been taught to pull in a full collar (which is actually pushing in the horse’s mind) and therefore have learned that leaning on a something makes it move! I think that is starting to change with the popularity of the half drafts though.
But, it isn’t based on feed/shavings amount usually, rather the wear on the property.
The real problem with full drafts is finding a farrier that will work on them. Mine will, for a substantial price increase. I don’t blame him!
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I hear you on that! my 18h Percheron hand-me-down, stringhalt, gelding is a real PITA! He is really hard on everything. I have him in the yard so i can keep close track of him rather than in the larger pastures, and he’s pretty much ruined a whole lot of things. He’s a ‘good boy’ but besides being so damn big he’s smart. Smartest horse i’ve ever had actually. I often regret taking him in …i was talked into it-he came with a mule i was smitten by. I will not ever have another.
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I offered a discount when boarding a mini once, but only because I got to drive him too. 
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I do, but only bc the pony was one of our first boarders and she’s 34 and the other horses are giant warmbloods.
Apparently a local barn does charge less for small ponies. A LOT less (half for outside board). I am not sure the logic.
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Nope. Do not charge less at all.
Not for a pony, but probably for a mini. We have only done pasture board though, none of our horses stay in stalls for any appreciable length of time on a regular basis.
I was charged full price for pasture boarding a mini, prior to having our own farm. 
She got a handful of alfalfa pellets while everyone else was eating, but otherwise just ate (very little) off the same round bale as everyone else. She lived in the main pasture with most of the big horses, and was/is a very mannerly little lady, easier to handle than my large pony schoolmaster gelding. It was a bit silly.
I currently have one boarder who has a mini, and the mini lives here for free. When I boarded my mini at other barns, I paid anywhere from 0 to an extremely reduced rate.
I haven’t had anyone ask to board a non-mini-pony, but I would probably give them a discount. Less poop, less bedding, less food.
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I do know of a farm that will board two minis for the price of one if they share a stall. Otherwise, they require full charge.
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Usually no upcharge here for drafts, but I was told that one guy I was looking at (the barn owner saw him too) would be a $50/month upcharge purely for the hay consumption. He was quite the hay vacuum!
