Cross Breeds

Do miniature horses need the same amount of care as a regular sized horse?

Also, what are some tips on keeping a miniature horse? How much space do they need? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. INFO. >> Minis don't need a lot of space as a big horse does. If you have a large backyard and a small building or shed for shelter that should be sufficient. They like to be outdoors as much as possible. Please provide some sort of shelter for them with at least 3 sides to ward off the cold, wet weather. In the summer, they like to find some shade to get under also. If you have a barn to stall them, please turn them outside everyday for exercise. You will also need to keep the manure picked up and some sort of bedding, such as shavings or straw, which should be changed at least weekly. Feeding During the summer months when there is plenty of grass, that should be enough for them. However, too much grass in the early spring can be very harmful to minis. They will overeat and get colic which can cause them to founder. Please limit them to grass at this time to just a few hours a day. If you stall them or have limited grazing areas, feed them twice a day. You can choose a feed for horses, such as a 9 % protein of sweet feed or just plain oats. About a small coffee can size would be plenty. Hay should be fed after graining. A small flake in the mornings, and in the evenings is enough. Make sure the hay you get is good quality "horse" hay. Hay that can be fed to cows, doesn't mean it is good for horses. Horses have very sensitive stomachs, and can't eat moldy, or hay that has been wet. Depending on your location, there are several types of hay, such as orchid grass, alfalfa, or just good grass hay. Fescue hay should not be fed to pregnant mares. (in our area, it can cause a mare to not make milk) Also, keep fresh water available at all times. Rinse out your water bucket daily. If you have a large tub, don't fill it to the top, so you can change the water in it. A horse needs a lot of water, so not to get constipated and colic. Always watch your horse when you feed him. Observe how they eat. This will tell you a lot about your horse. If they don't look like they are eating at the same speed or act funny, then something is wrong with your horse. A horse that does not eat should definitely be looked at for sickness. Even if you turn them out in the pasture everyday, observe them for a while before heading back to the house. If they don't start off grazing, that could be a sign of something not right. For those of you who have large pastures and can't keep your mini off the grass for long periods, I suggest using something such as the "Best Friend" grazing muzzle. This will allow them to graze, but can't overeat until they colic and could lead to founder. Care Your horse needs to be not only fed properly, and have enough exercise by being turned out daily, but also, wormed regularly. You can do this yourself. Every 2 to 3 months, paste worm them in the mouth. Try to rotate your wormers each time. I use about 250lb mark for mine. (small foals are less of course) Put the paste wormer tube way in the back of the mouth. Do this on an empty stomach, not at feeding time. Wormer can be purchased at feed stores, vet offices, or ordered from Vet supply catalogs. They cost from $4 to $5 a tube. Also, your mini should have his hoofs trimmed about every 3 to 4 months, depending how fast they grow. As for vaccinations, if your horses are exposed to any other horses, I recommend vaccinating for several viruses, and other equine infections, along with a rabies shot. All minis should be given a tetanus shot, in case they get injured. Veterinarians can administer these, or you can get most of them through vet supply houses. If you don't think you can do this correctly, by all means have a vet do it. Minis should not be body clipped especially if winter is coming on. Their long coat protects them from the weather. During the hot summer, it won't hurt them, but unless you have a thick winter blanket and warm stall, please do not body clip your horse. They are known for their long thick coats. Foaling If you have a bred mare, and know the date she was bred, expect the foaling time to be approximately 11 months and 11 days. But with minis, they will fool you. Have a clean stall available if it is near time or let them stay out in the pasture where it is a more clean environment. If you see your mare start to foal and pushing with nothing coming out, call a vet right away. If this is your first foaling experience, call a vet. They will have a foal when you least expect it and believe me staying awake night after night, they will lay down and have it while you are eating lunch. Make sure your mare is bred to a small stallion, from small parents, especially if your mare is very tiny. Foals with too big of heads can not come out. This can be a very heartbreaking experience for anyone. It is very hard for a mare to have a foal, so be patient. Selective breeding is important. Getting a live foal every year from a mare is not always guaranteed. (minis are harder to foal than a re
2. yes they do, possibly even more care. Minis are very susceptible to obesity and should be monitored closely. They can be allowed on pasture but should be rotated into a dry lot to keep them from getting too fat or foundering. They do need less space than a regular sized horse and do very well on 1/2 acre per horse. They do however still need to have the same amount of veterinary care, farrier care and deworming as a full sized horse. They need the same shelter provided and plenty of turnout. They need companionship of other horses too. The only thing you save on with a mini is feed and space everything costs the same.
3. They eat less and take up less space. Vet bill and farrier are about the same. They still need exercise, we taught ours to lounge and then to drive, that was fun. Good luck!
4. miniature horses do need the same amount of care as regular ones. brushing and grooming them may be faster than a full size one but you still have to clean the horse's stall every day, refill water, give vitamins and vaccines, feed them, exercise them it is very time consuming- ALSO you have to get up REALLY early EVERY single morning to feed the horse say good bye to sleeping until noon on sundays!! and vacations also costs to consider- like a regular horse miniature ones can be very costly -vaccines -food -shoeing or if you decide not to shoe just hoof care -floating their teeth -small frequent injuries can be VERY costly -food -trucking costs to vet/ initial trip home etc. -care takers for vacations SPACE YOU WILL NEED- For a stall i would suggest about a space 8 ft by 8 ft and at least a half an acre of land per horse you buy ALSO you have to get neighbors to agree to you having one unless you have a certain amount of land- you probably have to go to your town hall to figure out what you need to do to get one FINALLY- you should consider getting two or another semi- intelligent animal like a goat or donkey because they need company or they will become very depressed dogs or small animal DO NOT work and I'm sure you don't plan on spending at least 3-4 hours daily with the horse