Cross Breeds

Are miniature horses easy to look after?

I know that horses are herd animals and it would be better not to leave them alone in a field. I don't and I probably won't be getting a horse (for a while at least) but I just had a couple questions. Are miniature horses easy to look after? (farrier, vet, food, grooming...) Do they do well in all types of weather? Are they good with small kids? Do most larger horses get along with them?

Public Comments

1. Miniature horses are supposed to stay inside in winter, but they can stay outside in spring, fall, and summer. They ARE easy to take care of, and the prices on their food is cheap. They are good with my cousin, and he is 6 years old. Larger horses have to be trained to be with these horses, but most likely they get along fine.
2. AP- our barn has two miniature horses that live out all year round. They are fuzzier than any other horse there. Are they easy to look after- yes when it comes to feed, vet bills will be the same, grooming can be a bit more difficult with winter coats and they usually have thick manes and tails, and farrier will generally cost more since it is more difficult for the farrier because of the height. Do they do well in all types of weather- generally yes Are they good with small kids- depends on the horse and how well they were desentized/socialized with kids. Some are fine with them while others are not. Do most larger horses get along with them? All depends on the horse. Some do some don't. Jazmyn- there are such things as miniature horses, not just Shetlands. They are two different breeds. If you tried to register a Shetland with a miniature horse association you would be laughed at. Well they said miniature horse, so what makes you assume they meant shetland?
3. Why do people ask these questions!? If your talking about a shetland then you can't answer this questions, evey horse is different, our shetland is a great little pony to ride, lives out all year, gets on with all the hores, but my mum and another person have to hold him when the farrier comes because he just rears (he has hit my before) he also does the same when you wash him, also if you take him out with the other horses then you don't take him out the next but some of the other horses go he will escape he has done it many times, he has escaped onto the road and got hit by a car. The Shetland at our stables is perfect doing everything! Good with riding, farrier, washing, and lives in, everything it just depends on the horse! EDIT- Yes Emura thats why I said 'if your talking about a shetland' Because I just did! I'm pretty sure thats not illegal, you just need to callmmmmm down and don't take it so seriously, got it? callllmmmm.
4. Nearly the same as a normal horse. Food would be a little cheaper though-and you wouldn't have to buy as much.
5. they are not too bad however you do still have to pay for farrier, vet, worming etc etc etc...not to mention blankets and stuff (if any). I heard they eat a lot ? but not really sure as I've seen ones that eat normally and ones that almost eat as much as a horse ! yeah and groom them. they aren't bad in weather, certain ones don't grow a lot of hair and some get so cute and fuzzy. it's so cute when I see these ones with little mini blankets lol. find one that is used to the elements of weather. some are good with kids, depending on their temperament. horses will always be horses and a mini is no exception. you'd have to find a quiet gentle one. most larger horses actually seem to respect minis lol. I know that my horse (and many others from the same barn) all respect this mini in a field beside them. the mini lives with two tall warmbloods and they get along fine.
6. Are miniature horses easy to look after? (farrier, vet, food, grooming...). They are pretty easy to look after. They are however more susceptible to laminitis than a bigger horse so you need to be careful of how much feed they are getting. Do they do well in all types of weather? Yes they do. They grow really thick winter coats and seem to suit most weather patterns. i would cover them with a rain-sheet in the winter though because rain + wind = cold horse. Are they good with small kids? They are pretty good with kids depending on how they are treated and brought up and handled. Do most larger horses get along with them? It depends on the horse. Most do though.