Small hooves and big hearts: Mini horses master the arena

The competitors were tough inside the Northern Stars Arena at the Northwest Montana Fair — but they certainly weren’t tall.

Standing just a couple of feet high, roughly a dozen miniature horses faced off Thursday in showmanship, jumping, a costume contest and even an obstacle course to the crowd’s delight. Their personalities were on full display — some plodded along diligently beside their 4-H partner, while others strutted their little hooves to the beat of their own drummer. They had names like Lady, Barney and Jelly Bean. Minis, as they’re often referred to for short, aren’t just expensive lawn ornaments — many of these pint-sized equines are beloved family pets and can also serve important roles as therapy or companion animals, and with special training, can even pull a cart. Caring for and training the horses in preparation for the fair also helps teach the participants life lessons.

“It just gives them a chance to care for another living thing and learn another aspect of farm life,” said Robert Sutton, whose children participated in the mini horse show.

Maddie Sutton, 19, of Kalispell took home three wins before the morning was over in the senior showmanship, jumping and obstacle classes. After 14 years as a competitor in the event, this season will be her last in the 4-H arena.

“This year was crazy; I wasn’t even sure if we were going to have the show,” she said. To prepare for Thursday’s competition, Sutton focused on getting her horse, Bet, in shape for the show.

“We let our horses be horses for the winter and come spring, we pull them out and exercise them...and put them on a diet because minis can get fat really quick,” she said with a smile. Even for an experienced competitor like Sutton, the day’s contest presented a few challenges, namely in the obstacle course class. The senior-level pattern included a tarp that minis had to cross, a series of pool noodles to trot over and a pole that the horse had to side-step, among other challenges.

“A side pass is difficult to train for because they’re moving both ends of their body at the same time in a sideways direction — it’s unnatural for them to do,” Sutton noted.

Competitor Cody Williamson also had an affinity for the obstacle course, although his 10-year-old gelding Bandit wasn’t quite sold on it. The brown and white mini balked at the unfamiliar tarp surface, executing a series of short rears, which elicited a laugh from Williamson himself, before the pair went on to the noodle challenge.

“I like being able to see what my horse can do. If I were to take him out in the woods, would he freak out about this? Would he freak out about that?” Williamson said.

While Bandit was weary about a few elements in the obstacle course, he showed his strengths in the jumping class that followed, clearing the fences by a full foot.

The duo came in second in jumping and if not for one knocked pole, would have ousted winner Sutton and her horse, Bet, who took the top spot.

“His personality is like a firecracker,” Williamson said of Bandit. “He always wants to be the leader of the pack.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss may be reached at 758-4433 or mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.