Question: What do Miniature Horses eat?

Answer: Minis eat the same things that large horses and ponies do but in smaller quantities.

There are several types of forages (as in grasses and hay) and staple grains that equines both large and small are fed. My personal favorite is grass/timothy mixture hay or grass/alfalfa mixtures. The hay must be of good quality, free from mold and dust.As for grain mixtures I like to feed my horses a 12% protein pellet. The great thing about pellets is they can be soaked to help provide ease in digestion, additional hydration, and further utilization of nutrients.

To personal preference other horse owners prefer sweet feed types of horse feed or the popular oats and corn mixtures. Always read labels, some horse feeds contain harmful preservatives such as BHT/BHA or EQ (ethoxyquin). Be sure you are feeding the most natural diet possible; try to prevent over supplementing. I prefer low protein for maintaining adequate condition. I do this for my own piece of mind; it is much easier for horses to founder on high protein concentrations and forages even when they are on an established conditioning program.

Question: How much do Miniature Horses eat?

Answer:This is variable to the feed that is being fed and the horse in question.

The amount of hay and grain depends greatly and is variable to the individual horse. Breed, age, state of health, time of year, region, individual workload, use (i.e. breeding, combined riding/driving etc.) and the horses’ metabolism should be taken into account.  Because of this I can't put a general 'set' amount of feed per miniature horse, unless I was able to see the horse understanding the situation, and work with the horse(s) in question.

Miniature horses are many times fed using cups as measurements. Growing foals, lactating mares, and breeding stallions generally require more feed than geldings or open mares. The average miniature horse that is on a good fitness/conditioning program eats 5-6 cups of feed per day of lower protein/calorie feed and 2 – 2 & ½ flakes of good hay. Nutritional requirements also depend upon the seasons. For instance, in the spring and summer months when grass is readily available concentrate grains and hay can be reduced. In the fall and summer months they will need to be raised to provide enough calories so that the horse can stay warm during those bitterly cold days and nights.

Question: How much protein should be fed in a Miniature Horses’ diet (when feeding grain)?

Answer: Miniature Horses, because of their pony relation are notorious for not being able to utilize proteins properly, because of this fact the average mini with a medium to light workload needs only 10 - 12% protein (anything under 14% really). This isn’t a shocking or embarrassing fact at all! Horses were never meant to be on high protein!

Calories more than protein provide energy. And exercise will build muscle and provide bone substance. The low protein is a key component in adjusting the intake horses whose bodies just cannot properly digest and utilize high proteins.  An excess of 14% protein in the average horse is filtered through the kidneys.

Question: How much water does a Miniature Horse drink?

Answer: Minis can drink up to 3 gallons of water in warm weather.

Horses should be provided unlimited access to fresh water in clean water buckets. H20 is the element that keeps us alive. Each bodily system would be shut down one by one if hydration were not possible. Trace mineral replacement is also very important to hydration. Horses lose trace minerals through sweat. Wild horses seek out minerals from rocks and soil to replace those that are lost. I provide each of my horses with a trace mineral block, which helps aid hydration.

Question: How much space does a Miniature Horse require?

Answer: Check with your local and state zoning laws.

Miniature horses can thrive on very little space as long as they are getting the supplemental feed and shelter they need. 1 acre for every two or three minis will suffice.

Question: Can Miniature Horses live outside all year?

Answer: Yes, as long as they have a three-sided shelter to protect them from the elements.

However, many would agree, a barn with box stalls and outdoor-runs are a great luxury to have. Barns are very useful for those that live in cooler climates. Barns also make conditioning and grooming much easier, which can have effect on the overall health of a mini.

Question: Can Miniature Horses live inside a house?

Answer: No matter the size, a horse is still a horse. My answer is a resonant, “NO”.

Horses are unhappy living indoors. Though many have brought a mini in their house temporarily on occasion.

Question: How do you “CONDITION” a Miniature Horse?

Answer: Conditioning has as much to do with feeding as maintaining a good level of fitness.

Conditioning is all about using ones senses, especially the senses of touch and eyesight. Try to develop an eye for your horses’ condition. For touch you should just barely feel the ribs by sticking your fingers into the undercoat, feeling for ribs under a smooth layer of sub-q fat. Miniature horses have tricked many an unsuspecting horse owner, they owner sees the fuzzy coat and immediately think that the horse is “fat”. This is a dangerous mindset, DO NOT EVER DEVELOP IT! Minis & Horses in common have suffered tremendously because of this particular mindset. I want to be one of the pioneers to share the importance of conditioning. I know that condition has impact on the very fiber of a horses being. Horses that have been undernourished have been affected adversely the damage is irreparable. I enjoy and support getting to know our horses by using our senses, in time it becomes second nature to diagnose condition problems before they occur and adjust accordingly.

Question: How and how often do you exercise a Miniature Horse?

Answer: Minis should be exercised every day possible.

Driving is a wonderful form of exercise. The most popular form of exercising minis is free lunging (lunging in a round pen without the use of a line) and free running (running minis in a larger enclosure than a round pen). Exercise is as vital as correct diet and should be encouraged on a daily basis. Exercise in conditioning benefits all ages of horses. It should be started from the first week of life and continued through the course of a horses’ life.

Question: How do you groom Miniature Horses?

Answer: This is actually a very good question seeing how minis grow such hardy winter coats.

Before I body clip I ALWAYS give baths because a dirty/waxy horse will ruin clipper blades quickly. I usually clip my horses during the late spring and early summer months especially if they are taking a little longer than usual to shed. I use a #10 blade for legs, a #15 blade to body clip, a #30 blade for finishing and bridle paths. Always go against the grain of the coat in as long and even strokes to prevent clipper trails if at all possible.

During the winter I allow my horses to grow a winter coat, this has its pros and cons because one has to be on guard about the condition horses with heavy hair coats are in. However, any vet will tell you horses are healthier AND happier when they provide their own means of warmth. IMO, blankets and heated barns are a mistake, even for show horses! Back to winter grooming! I love my German made Universal curved slicker brush. They sell these brushes for dogs in pet products catalogs. This is the only product that will get into the undercoat to pull out trapped dirt. And of course use the rest of the same utensils used on large horses!

Question: Do Miniature Horses wear shoes?

Answer: No, it would take a specially developed shoe and tacks to be used on miniature hooves. But small booties have been custom designed for road traction when driving your mini!

Questions: How do you care for Miniature Horses’ hooves? How often does the farrier have to trim hooves? How much does it cost?

Answer: Just like large horses minis hooves need to be picked clean several times weekly. Minis need clean fresh footing to help prevent the frog and sole fungus ‘thrush’. Miniature Horses require farrier work once every 5 – 7 weeks, the price can range from $10-$25 per horse. Many miniature horse owners find it most cost efficient to do their own farrier work.

Question: What dental care do Miniature Horses need?

Answer: An equine dental specialist should be called to examine miniature horses mouths at least twice every year.

Minis shed temporary (caps, deciduous or baby teeth) at around 3 years of age but can retain some caps, which can cause assorted dental problems. Retained caps can cause the bite to become uneven. If you’re looking to purchase you should ALWAYS examine the bite of the horse. Due to dental neglect parrot & sow mouth aren’t uncommon medical conditions.

Question: How much does a Miniature Horse cost?

Answer: A-sized Miniature Horses range from $500 - $10,000. Geldings and colts are generally more inexpensive while fillies, breeding mares, and breeding aged stallions are priced higher. Of course the price depends on the quality of the horse, the bloodlines, and the horses use. Just like in large horses!

Question: How is a Miniature Horse measured?

Answer: Minis are measured in inches at the base of the wither.

Question: How much does the average adult Miniature Horse Weigh.

Answer: 200 - 250 lbs.

Question: How tall is the average Miniature Horse foal?

Answer: 20”-21” at the wither.

The height at birth depends on how large the mares’ uterus allows the foal to grow.

Question: What types of de-wormers should be used on a Miniature Horse, and how often?

Answer: Ivermectin & Panacur pastes are gentle but effective types of de-wormer. Minis should be wormed once every 2 months.

Question: Besides the above what other care does a Miniature Horse entail?

Answer: Miniature Horses need love. Minis need TLC. They need other horses or further animal companionship. They need to be worked with and treated respectfully. They need to be carefully disciplined when necessary. Minis need good food daily, fresh unlimited water, a clean shelter, a safe turnout, daily exercise, good dental/vet/farrier care, a good deworming program.

Owning this wonderful breed helps teach an individual how to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Minis are great companions; most are extraordinarily human-oriented and lovable.

© Copyright 2001 Barefoot Miniature Horses

All materials on this website are the property of Barefoot Minis and should not be taken without permission.

Home