Cowboy dad,

They are good for kids my niece and my boys started on my parents mini's. The ones that the kids rode were broke to drive also. You would want a larger mini for riding at least 36 inches. You really don't want one any shorter. Also the max weight would be about 50-60 lbs. on their backs. You don't have to shoe them just get them trimmed every 6-8 weeks like the big ones. They are EASY KEEPERS, practically live on air, Although grass hay is the best, a bale last forever. The kids love them because they can do all the work themselves. Catching, haltering, picking feet, grooming, mucking their pens, etc. They have great personalities, and ares have always been turned out with the big horses. If anything they can be pushy to the full size horses. You know little man syndrome I have run acrossed a few that were naughty, but put them in their place and they normally turn around quickly, They are pretty smart and some people because they are little tend to spoil them and they will pick up bad habits quickly. They just need to be treated like any other horse.

Also if you get one that drives after your little one is to big to ride, she can still use the mini by driving it.

To bad you didn't live closer I know a great little mare that is broke to drive and ride and is the sweetest thing around. She has done it all from being a mama to driving in parades.

Just a word of caution, they are like potato chips, you can't have just one.