| Miniature Horse Information |
| Welcome to our information page. Please know that I am not a veterinarian and the information posted here is based on our years of raising and breeding miniature horses. We get a lot of people new to miniatures that just want some basic info on these wonderful little horses. If you have any other questions please email us anytime as we always love to talk mini's. Email us |
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| Basic Care Miniature horses require the same care as full size horses only in smaller amounts. They do not require the large acreage that full size horses and eat much less. A lot of people prefer miniatures as they are physically easier to handle due to their smaller size. But please keep in mind they are very much still a horse and love to do what horses do. Running, bucking and playing are all horse behaviors. Feeding Minis eat basically the same thing full size horses do only in smaller amounts. A good green hay and pasture are usually sufficient for an adult non breeding miniature. Broodmare's, foals and stallions can require supplements such as grain. One of the biggest mistakes people new to mini's make is that they dont feed their mini enough. Young growing foals require quite a bit a feed until they are done growing especially after weaning. If you have a miniature with a bloated belly it is not fat! This is usually a sign that your mini is not getting enough protein in its diet. Everyone who owns a horse should familiarize themselves with the body condition score. This is especially important in the winter when a mini in winter coat can be very deceiving. During winter time you must use your hands to feel your horse and determine its body condition. Trimming Minis need to have their hooves trimmed at least every 6 weeks. Young foals and yearling's sometimes need to be trimmed every 2-4 weeks during their growing years. Vaccinations Minis need yearly vaccinations to prevent illness. If your mini will be trailered you will have to have a current coggins certificate as required by law in your state. Health Problems Miniatures can be more susceptible to certain health problems such as hyperlemia, ulcers etc. Before buying your first miniature be sure you have a veterinarian that will help you with your miniature should it ever become ill. Reading all you can about various ailments before they happen can save the life of your miniature. Preventing illness is the key for anyone who owns a horse. The more you know the more problems you can avoid. Illness caught early is your best defense. Two things to keep in mind are to never use Quest wormer on a miniature and to use Bute very sparingly. Miniatures tend to react very strongly to both of these. Banamine is the preferred medicine to use on a miniature instead of Bute. A mini that suddenly goes off feed is a big warning sign that something is wrong. Should your mini ever refuse to eat call your veterinarian immediately. I cannot stress enough that this can signal a life or death situation. |