Cross Breeds

Things I need to go when buying a Miniature horse?

Hi,Im getting 2 Mini horses in August. (They have to be 4 months to leave the woman told us) And they come with a Lead and stuff. I was wondering what we should do till August? I want to take my time and all. I get to visit them 3 times a week cause the pasture where they are at right now is right up the road. So what do I need as a first time miniature horse buyer and what do I need to get?:) Thanks!:)

Public Comments

1. Well, I would buy some books on miniature horses and read up on them. Also, good things to have on hand include: water barrels, feed barrels, horse first-aid kit, phone numbers (vet, farrier, dentist, etc.), halters, shelter, blankets/fly sheets (depending on where you live), wormers, grain, bute, ..hmmm.. I know I'm not thinking of a lot of things...Hope this helps!
2. I have 2 miniatures and they are fun. Here are some things: Good hay wormer You will need to have them vaccinated for tetanus, sleeping sickness and flu. Check with your vet A place to keep them. A shelter to get in during bad weather FIRST AID Scarlet oil saline solution, the same thats used for contacts. thermometer stethoscope bandages furazone rubber gloves
3. Four months seems very young. They need the dam's milk to build up antibodies and build strong bones and teeth. Get a good book, talk with and set up an equestrian vet and keep close to the people that raise them and ask and listen well. Grooming aids and materials, a good food source and training manual will all help towards being prepared for the big day when the little horse becomes your responsibility. You will have to introduce them to life outside of the farm if you are planning on showing them or walking them around that means to noises, all types of things that might scare them and get them used to every day life. Give them lots of love and attention. You are lucky.
4. Feeding and water: Feed tub Water trough or large buckets Water heater if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures. Barn and Pasture Maintenance Pitch fork Stable broom Wheelbarrow Manure Fork Premise spray if insects are a problem Handling and Grooming Halter Lead ropes Hoof Pick Curry Comb Body Brush Mane Comb Cloth (an old washcloth) First Aid Kit Thermometer Antiseptic wound cleaner Scissors Clean Bandages Gamgee (absorbent padding) Zinc oxide cream (baby section of drugstore for sunburn grease heal and minor cuts) Salts (epsom to draw out infection reagular table for washing cuts) Antiseptic cream A good veterinary first aid book A list of emergency numbers (vet, farrier etc) At the very least a horse needs: Pasture free from hazards such as holes, rusty farm machinery and loose wire fences. Safe fencing such as wooden, plastic, or vinyl rails, or mesh wire fencing. Grass for grazing or equivalent amount of good quality hay. Unlimited supply of fresh clean water, heated if necessary in sub-freezing temperatures. Unlimited access to minerals and salt. Shelter from wet or wintry weather and shade in summer. A dry clean area to lie down. Daily monitoring for injury or illness. Miniature horses require almost exactly the same kinds of care and treatment as their full sized cousins, although they do eat less. Do not expect that because of their small size, they will not be as time consuming or expensive. Horses of ALL kinds are a HUGE time, money, and emotional investment. It is important to research horses and spend a lot of time with them before you commit to caring for one on your own. Fencing is important; it must be safe for the horse and it must contain the horse. Be aware if the fence rails are not low enough to the ground or are two far apart that a mini could squeeze between or roll under. If the horse is in a stall, consider the walls. A regular horse box stall may not be the best option as a mini cannot see out. The space where the mini lives should measure at least 10 by 10 feet, but if a horse is to be stalled in such a small area they must be able to be worked or turned out daily. Many people think that since minis are so small they can easily be kept in a small back yard, but make sure that they can be turned loose to run and roll every day! Unless you keep the horse on your own property, expect monthly horse board to be at least $100. Feeding a miniature horse should follow the same regimen as feeding a regular size horse, except in much smaller amounts. One of the most common problems a new miniature horse owner has is feeding their mini too much, which commonly results in colic or founder, or simply an obese animal. The majority of the horse's diet should consist of good quality hay, and no more than ten percent of their diet should consist of grains. Alfalfa is a good hay, but it is extremely rich in protein and has the potential of causing growth problems in young horses and forming stones (entroliths) in horses of all ages. Alfalfa, which is a legume, is best balanced with another hay that is of lower protein such as a grass hay. Grains of all types are acceptable but not usually necessary for minis unless they are working heavily. Supplements of all kinds are available on the market, but should only be fed if a veterinarian recommends it for a specific problem. Feeding your miniature horse will cost you at least $30 per month. Minis also require regular farrier care. Although they never need shoes, their hooves must be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This will cost approximately $20 every eight weeks. Worming is very important for any horse, to make sure parasites do not get a hold in the intestinal system. Wormers are available that can be given per weight. The average miniature horse will require a 250 lb dose of wormer. I give wormer every other month, rotating the ingredient. I personally use Ivermectin every other time. This is usually very inexpensive, but very important. Daily wormers, which can be added to the daily grain, are also available and work very well on reducing a pot belly. I strongly recommend AGAINST using QUEST wormer... it has been known to kill horses with wrong dose amounts. There are so many reliable wormers out there that work but do not carry the risk. Please do not use Quest on minis... and preferably your other horses too! Veterinary care is also important. Minis will need annual vaccinating against tetanus, rhino, and flu. West Nile Virus is also a rising concern. Due to peculiar bites, many minis need routine teeth floating. The average horse should have their teeth floated every other year or so. Although they tend to keep weight well, it is important to look after their dental needs. Vet costs will also be incurred for random illness and injury. You may wish to insure a valuable animal. Expect to spend at least $500 a year for a mini's vet expenses. MEDICATION WARNING: Do not use in Miniatures: BUTE or PHENYLBUTAZONE is commonly used for the relief of inflammatory conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system in full size horses. This product may produce severe gastric ulceration in miniature horses. I do not recommend using BUTE unless absolutely necessary. If absolutely necessary - make certain that you know the exact weight of you miniature. Then give dosage needed for that weight by tablets made for dogs and cats. Do not use Bute paste, it is too easy to overdose a mini. STOMACH ULCERS: Infrequently, you will find a miniature horse grinding it's teeth, not interested in feed or lying on it's back with it's feet in the air. These can be symptoms of gastric ulcers. Certain individual miniatures, just like people, may be high strung, nervous or more sensitive to change. These are the ones that may develop ulcers if put under stressful situations like showing or change in routine. The ulcers are easily treated if caught early. Your vet could recommend medications to use. Some of these medications are even available over-the-counter. Stallions and geldings should have their sheaths cleaned every other month, and some can go six months or so if they don't tend to be "dirty". A vet can show you how to do this, and if you do it often enough your horse should not object. In only rare cases does a well-socialized and trained horse need tranquilization. Their stalls should be cleaned daily to minimize flies and thrush. A horse, if not turned out all the time, should be allowed to exercise at least 30 minutes per day. Lunging or driving is a great way to keep your horse active and in shape.