Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Greaves.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Little America Miniature Horses is the result of a lifetime of love for small horses. When I was born, my family had Shetland ponies and gave me one when I was just a few months old. I bred my first miniature sized horse when I was a senior in high school in 1963. The American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) was started in 1978.
After my wife and I singing and acting for over twelve years we started Little America and moved to Buda 30 years ago. I have served for 12 years in some official capacity for AMHA including Executive Secretary for 5 1/2 years, President for 3.
My wife is originally from San Marcos .
We currently have 140 miniature horses and am one of the largest herds of the smallest horses in the USA and reportedly, the world.. We have shipped horses coast to coast including Hawaii and Alaska and internationally to Mexico, France, England, Saudi Arabis, Austrailia, Saudi Arabia and more.
During the spring we usually have from 40 to 70 foals from March through June.
We have an extensive website (LittleAmericaMinis.com) which pictures every horse we currently have with complete information plus lots more. I tell my friends, “If you have a month, look at our website.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a lifetime with ups and down of course, just like everyone’s life. About ten years ago in a period of six weeks feral dogs, or just neighbors wandering dogs, killed 13 horses.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think I have already said too much, but am proud that I set a goal when a child to see how small I could develop a tiny miniture horse with excellent conformation. When I told my dad that I wanted to breed a perfect 22″ horse, he said, “You will never get them that small.” My smallest at that time was 36″. He lived long enough to see one 28″, but I now have them down to 24″.
We have had the smallest horse at our Wordl Show for over 15 years and tropy cases of awards. One of our larger stallions who is 32″ has won over 50 AMHA World Titles in driving. And our tiny ones have won over 15 World Champion or Reserve Champion award in the 28″ and under. The horses show in classes 28″ and Under, Over 28′-30″, Over 30″ to 32″, Over 32″ to 34″ and then have Champions in sex catagories and Senior and Junior (3 years and under).
Sorry. This is much more than you needed to know.
I laughingly tell people who come to shop to just say “UNCLE” whe you have heard enough.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I am 80 and say that I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do when I grow up. I have been a singing/actor, minister of music and youth, piano and voice teacher, wedding planner, florist, restaurant supervisor, realtor, music teacher in elementary and even taught an acting class for voice majors when I was in grad school. Always with horses in the background.
Pricing:
- Miniatures range from $1,000 to $50,000
Contact Info:
- Website: LittleAmericaMinis.com (MiniHorseForSale.com)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleAmericaMinis/ and https://www.facebook.com/tony.greaves.7906/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LtlAmerica1
