Miniature horses make wonderful additions to farms! These pint-sized cuties can become your child’s next best friend. They can also keep your horse company and pull a cart. While they’re much smaller than regular horses, their care requirements are relatively similar!
Caring for a Miniature Horse
Key Differences:
- You should be feeding based on weight. The average mini is 200 to 250 pounds, which would mean less forage and concentrates compared to your larger horse.
- It may be a good idea to keep your mini in a dry lot or with a grazing muzzle, depending on how lush your pasture is.
- Minis are at a greater risk for enteroliths, stones of the colon. Alfalfa can increase their chances for it.
- They have the same number of teeth, but in a smaller mouth. This can lead to dental problems, so make sure to have the dentist out yearly.
- Fencing will need to be modified to keep them in.
- Water and feed buckets should be lower, so they can reach over the edge easily.
Key Similarities:
- Most can receive the same forage and concentrates of their larger herd mates, but as previous mentioned the amount will be different.
- All horses require vaccinations and a deworming protocol no matter what their size.
- They’ll also need their hooves trimmed on a routine basis.
- Miniature horses need plenty of exercise and turnout just like regular horses.
- Every horse needs a friend, ideally another horse.
Get ready for the fun and rewarding journey of owning a Miniature horse!
