While their numbers are shrinking, the horses at Quicksilver Ranch will remain the same size — miniature.
After more than 30 years of breeding miniature horses, owners Aleck and Louise Stribling are in the midst of a significant reduction of their herd to make it more manageable, according to Maria Arias, a staff member for 14 years.
Typically, the herd of horses on the 20-acre Alamo Pintado Road ranch, which includes large pastures and a world-class breeding facility, has ranged from 65 to 70. At the moment, the count is just under 30 with a goal to whittle it down to about 20, Arias said.
“Just enough to keep us busy,” she said.
The Striblings, who Arias described as press shy, showed miniature horses for more than 12 years, producing many national and high point champions, and have opened the ranch to the public for 15 years. They usually sell between 25 and 30 foals, per year.
Horses available for sale include mare/foal packages, stallions, open mares, yearlings and 2-year-olds. Costs range from $1,000 to $2,500. A group of eight mares, between 2 and 12 years old, is on sale. In April and May, eight foals will be born. Two stallions have been sold and two remain for sale.
Some of the Striblings’ favorite horses are expected to be kept on the property, including select broodmares for breeding. At the moment, there are no plans to breed next year, Arias said.
Most people buy the horses as pets while others buy them as show quality horses, Arias said. They can’t be housed in backyards and need to be kept where there is zoning for livestock.
Although they are small in stature, miniature horses are identical to their larger counterparts.
“Just like a big horse in a small package,” Arias said.
To be registered as a “miniature,” the horse must be under 34 inches tall from the base of the mane down. They are not ponies or dwarf varieties.
Miniatures have been bred down for more than 300 years from horses chosen specifically for their small size and distinguishable features. They are known for being exceptionally gentle, patient, mild-mannered, easy to handle and are now smaller than some large dogs. Also, they can be hitched to a cart or wagon and can pull up to 10 times their weight.
At birth, foals average 20 inches tall and 20 pounds. Fillies are bred at 3 years old and the gestation period is 11 months.
Foals are weaned at 4 months and reach maturity in 3 years. They can live from 25 years to 30 years, the oldest at Quicksilver Ranch is 35 years old.
At Quicksilver Ranch, established in 1983, the horses are fed premium alfalfa hay, not oat hay or barley hay. They are easy to overfeed, Arias said.
It costs about $30 per month to feed a miniature horse, she added. Grazing is not necessary, but it helps their digestive system.
Kay Prax, one of four recent visitors from Minnesota, said she has always had an interest in miniature horses and enjoys seeing them at the Minnesota State Fair.
“They’re just so cute,” she said.