This is what I use my minis for.  I use my horses to get my fingernails dirty because I just know how much they like a good scratch.  This does us both good it helps me to get out of the dumps when I feel bad and for them to have a good scratch. I use my horses to get me up in the morning when I'd just waste a lot of time lying in bed.  I use my horses to remind me that I can still stay up all night if the need arise even if I'm not as young as I used to be.  I use my horses to remind me what if felt like to be a kid again on the farm riding an old mare around and how good she smelled when I'd buried my face against her neck.  I love just setting and watching my horse play.  This seems to relax me and take my cares away.  I can do this for hours at a time.  There has been a time when life has smacked me around a bit and that is when I've used my horses to make me "get on with it". After all they need my care regardless of what goes on.

Because of my health and age I can no longer ride, but I can still enjoy the little ones.  Nothing makes me feel better after a hard day at work then to go out and hook up one of the colts that I'm training and go for a spin, enjoying the fresh air, the scenery, and the sound of  tiny feet hitting the ground.  It is fun just to take 1, 2, or 3 minis and go for a stroll.  All of the cares of the day just wash away!

I use my horse for a sense of pride and joy especially when someone buys one of my horses and loves them as much as I do.  I like to help people learn how to work with horses.  I taught 4-H for years and it was fun and rewarding to see the kids grow and develop into people that know they could do anything.

You do not have to show to enjoy minis.  Yes, it is good to win, but when I show I'm showing against myself not against anyone else.  Each time I show I try to do the best I can.  I always find that I can learn something new that I can do better.

This is what Minis are good for.