what to feed a miniature horse

^{Feeding the Miniature Horse}

• Hay or forage. Hay or forage is the most important ingredient in a horse’s diet. ...
• Grain. Good quality forage is the mainstay of a horse’s diet, but horses may also need a grain mix (concentrate) to supplement their energy requirements as well as help balance ...
• Water. Miniature horses also need access to clean, fresh water daily. ...
• Supplemental fat. Flax seed is a great supplement to put a shine in your horse’s coat. ...
• Trace mineral salt. Providing a trace mineral salt block will encourage your horse to drink and will replace electrolytes lost through sweating.
Dental health. Regardless of what or how you feed your miniature horse, attention to dental health is critical. ...
Parasite control. To keep them in good health, miniature horses will also require regular deworming with parasite control products available at your local feed or tack store.

How much to feed a miniature horse?

THE BASICS OF FEEDING A MINIATURE HORSE: About $ 0.50 per day will keep a mini happy, individuals may not require this amount of food outlined below. It may be too much. Feeding a mini is very inexpensive since they eat about 2 - 4 measuring cups of sweet feed a day until they are mature, about three years of age.

How much Hay does a miniature horse need?

Horses, minis and ponies need at least 1-1.5 pounds of hay or pasture (on dry matter basis) per 100 pounds of body weight every day. For example: a 300-pound miniature horse needs at least 3-4.5 pounds of hay per day or 9-13.5 pounds of pasture (fresh grass is much higher in water content) per day.

Can you feed a miniature horse alfalfa?

Feeding The Miniature Horse They are prone to obesity and most owners tend to overfeed them. Feeding a miniature horse sweet feed or high amounts of alfalfa is one of the worst things you could do. Now I know some people will say I feed my mini alfalfa and have not had a problem.

How to take care of a miniature horse?

Provide your mini with good quality, soft hay at least twice a day. Include a grain or pellet feed (12 percent protein for adults, 14 percent for growing horses) as necessary to help your horse maintain good body condition. Trace mineral salt is important all year round to give your mini the minerals he needs and keep him drinking to prevent colic.

How much grain should you feed a miniature horse?

Because of their extremely efficient metabolism, Miniatures do not need a lot of grain. Many Miniature owners, who measure feed by the cup or half-cup, would agree that a full-grown Mini's grain ration should not exceed 1 pound per day, and as little as half a pound per day is often adequate.

Can miniature horses eat regular horse feed?

Miniature Horse Feed If your vet advises you to feed grain to your mini, avoid simply giving your animal a small amount of regular horse feed. Obtain commercial feed designed specifically for minis. These feeds contain less sugar and starch than standard feeds, and are nutritionally balanced for little equines.

Should mini horses have grain?

Unless they are in moderate to heavy work, Miniature Horses don't need to eat a lot of grain. If a horse is too heavy or is gaining weight, owners have the option of cutting out all grain and feeding a balancer pellet to supply vitamins and mineral without loading up on starch-rich feeds.

How many flakes of hay do I need for a miniature horse?

This would be about 1-2 flakes of hay a day, depending on the type of hay and weight of the flake. In addition to hay, a ration balancer, like Essential K®, would be fed at a rate of ½ pound and divided over 2 to 3 meals per day.

Do mini horses need a salt block?

Salt is the most crucial mineral required by horses and often overlooked in the equine diet. Despite providing a salt block, the vast majority of equine diets do not provide sufficient sodium. Salt supplementation is required for optimum health - regardless of the season.

Can miniature horses eat carrots?

Mini horses are known for having a sweet tooth—many horses enjoy apples and carrots, as well as soda, candy, and breakfast cereal. Although it is okay to indulge your horse every once and awhile, be sure not too give them too many treats!

Is orchard hay good for miniature horses?

Feeding Your Mini Horse. there is a limited amount. Hay, whether baled, cubed or pelleted, is an acceptable alternative. protein and vitamins compared to timothy, orchard or oat grain hay.

Is Timothy Hay good for mini horses?

For all minis, just a nice grass hay or timothy hay is all they need. Bermuda/Coastal hay is also adequate but make sure it is SOFT and not stemmy.

Can mini horses be on grass?

Conservatively, putting two minis out on one hour of grass a day is a good way to start. As their bodies become adjusted to this influx of rich grass, you can slowly keep them out for two hours, then three, etc.

Do mini horses need shoes?

Minis do not typically wear shoes, but they still need regular farrier care every six to eight weeks to ensure hoof health and prevent lameness issues. You should pick out your mini's hooves daily to clear out rocks and prevent thrush.

How much does a miniature horse cost?

Miniature horses cost around $1,000 on average, though you can often find horses to adopt for less. But miniature horses of desirable breeding can cost much more. Because of their popularity, miniature horse rescues and breeders are relatively easy to find.

How often should you feed your horse grain?

twice a dayIf you feed your horse grain, give it in multiple smaller meals rather than one large one. Most horses are given grain twice a day for the convenience of their human caretakers. If for some reason you must give your horse a large quantity of grain, consider an additional lunchtime feeding.

Can miniature horses eat sweet feed?

Feeding a mini is very inexpensive since they eat about 2 - 4 measuring cups of sweet feed a day until they are mature, about three years of age. A 50# bag of top quality sweet feed is approx. $11.00 and that would last at least, 50 days. The daily cost for sweet feed is $ 0.22.

How can I get my miniature horse to gain weight?

4:4314:12Ask the Vet - How to feed miniature horses - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause it's got to be low in SC or non structural carbohydrates. And by that I mean less than aboutMoreBecause it's got to be low in SC or non structural carbohydrates. And by that I mean less than about 12 or 15. Percent. Then so you analyze it you weigh it then you soak it.

Can mini horses eat timothy hay?

If you have a mini that already has metabolic issues, laminitis or has foundered, they need to be put on a low starch and low sugar diet and be muzzled when out on grass. For all minis, just a nice grass hay or timothy hay is all they need.

How long should a mini horse graze?

Conservatively, putting two minis out on one hour of grass a day is a good way to start. As their bodies become adjusted to this influx of rich grass, you can slowly keep them out for two hours, then three, etc.

What do you feed a miniature horse?

Feeding the Miniature Horse. Regardless of their size, all equines have the same basic nutritional needs. Each animal must consume enough water, forage, and (possibly) grain to meet the requirements of growth, tissue repair, reproduction, exercise, and maintenance of all body systems. Factors such as body size, age, breed, work, climate, ...

What are the factors that affect the amount of hay a horse needs?

Factors such as body size, age, breed, work, climate, health status, and metabolism affect the type and amount of hay, pasture, and grain a particular horse should be given. Because very little research has been done on the specific requirements of Miniature horses, feeding recommendations must be based on standards for other equines tempered by ...

Why are miniature horses easy keepers?

Miniature horses tend to be easy keepers, meaning that they seem to maintain or increase their weight on limited forage and little or no grain.

How to determine how much hay to give a horse?

Deciding how much hay, grass, and grain to provide a mature Miniature horse involves, as a first step, an estimation of body condition. This is most easily determined not by looking at the belly, which may appear large even in an underweight horse, but by observing the ribs, spine, and fat deposits. For a horse in moderate condition, the ribs ...

How much grain should I feed my miniature?

Many Miniature owners, who measure feed by the cup or half-cup, would agree that a full-grown Mini’s grain ration should not exceed 1 pound per day, and as little as half a pound per day is often adequate. To help ensure adequate fortification at this low volume, owners may want to use a feed with a protein level of at least 14%. Protein levels of up to 16% may be required during periods of highest demand (breeding stallions, extremely heavy exercise).

How much does a miniature horse weigh?

In a study conducted by Kentucky Equine Research (KER), 49 Miniature horses (mares, geldings, and stallions between the ages of 1 and 12) had an average weight of 213 pounds, and fewer than 15% of these animals weighed as much as 250 pounds. The study found that owners of Miniature horses commonly over- or underestimated the weight ...

What are the basic needs of equines?

Regardless of their size, all equines have the same basic nutritional needs. Each animal must consume enough water, forage, and (possibly) grain to meet the requirements of growth, tissue repair, reproduction, exercise, and maintenance of all body systems. Factors such as body size, age, breed, work, climate, health status, ...

What do you feed a miniature horse?

Just like people, all equines need protein, vitamins and minerals , as well as energy (calories) to support maintenance, growth, reproduction and work.

What is a commercial horse feed?

Commercial horse feeds are usually a sweet or “textured” feed or are pelleted. Sweet or textured feeds include a mixture of grains, some molasses and pellets containing vitamins and minerals. Pelleted feeds include grains ground and mixed with other nutrient sources and ingredients and pressed into a pellet form.

Why do horses need forage?

All equines need forage for calories and other nutrients, as well as fiber to help keep the digestive tract healthy. Insufficient fiber can lead to digestive problems such as colic. Hay and pasture need to be high quality for horses. The equine digestive tract does not handle poor quality forage efficiently, and very poor-quality forage may ...

How to determine how much a horse weighs?

If you have access to a livestock scale, then it is easy to determine the exact weight. If not, you can use a body weight tape to estimate how much he or she weighs. Check with your Purina feed dealer for a Purina horse weight tape.

How to measure feed?

Most people measure feed using some sort of scoop. However, feeding directions indicate feed should be measured in pounds. The same volume of different feeds will weigh different amounts, so it is important to weigh the amount of feed that your scoop holds.

How to measure how much hay a horse is getting?

A simple way to do this is to use a digital fishing scale. Just put your scoop of feed in a bag or bucket, and hang it on the scale. Be sure to subtract the weight of the empty bucket! You can also weigh the hay to determine how much hay your horse is getting fed.

What is the body condition score of a horse?

In general, horses and ponies should be a body condition score 5 (moderate). Looking from the side, if you cannot see ribs but can feel the ribs easily under the skin, the horse is approximately a body condition score 5.

Why is grooming important for miniature horses?

Grooming is very important for miniatures especially in the winter because they grow a lot more hair than a full sized horse. They can get a lot of things trapped in the heavy hair coat. Your miniature horse can live a long healthy life and a lot of potential problems can be avoided by providing the proper care and feeding they require.

Why do people get miniature horses?

A lot of people get miniature horses because they are easy to manage, they’re cute, they eat less and they don’t require as much room as a big horse. It’s very important to educate yourself on miniature horse care so that you can keep them healthy and happy. Miniature horses do have different needs than big horses when it comes to their care.

Why does my hoof die?

When this happens the hoof begins to. die because of the lack of blood flow. The coffin bone rotates and causes a lot of pain. This can be caused from, but not limited to turning them out on lush grass, but also from giving them high amounts of grain.

Why do people die from dental problems?

The most common cause of death is improper dental care. When the teeth are not taken care of they can’t chew their food properly and that can cause intestinal blockages.

Can you feed a miniature horse alfalfa?

Feeding The Miniature Horse. They are prone to obesity and most owners tend to overfeed them. Feeding a miniature horse sweet feed or high amounts of alfalfa is one of the worst things you could do. Now I know some people will say I feed my mini alfalfa and have not had a problem.

Can a miniature be wormed?

If you have a miniature that you just rescued or you have no clue about how well they were cared for be careful using a strong wormer . If the miniature is over loaded with parasites and you use a strong wormer it could cause colic among other problems. Start out with with Safeguard if you insist on using a chemical wormer.

Is a miniature horse healthy?

If you’re determined to vaccinate your miniature make sure they are healthy. Read the vaccination label, the first thing it says is “For Vaccination of healthy horses”. A miniature with laminitis, pneumonia, strangles, WNV etc is not healthy!

How to feed a horse with hay?

Start with the amounts given for the weight and lifestyle of the horse. After observing the horse for a period of time, the amount fed may be increased or decreased by 10% to obtain the desired body condition and weight .

What is Purina horse feed?

Purina® Miniature Horse and Pony horse feed is specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of miniature horses and ponies who tend to be more metabolically efficient than large horses , but still require the nutrition necessary for growth, gestation, lactation, breeding and competition.

What to do if your horse is hot and excited?

Reduce and/or delay feeding a horse which is hot, excited or showing pain, has fever or diarrhea. Consult your veterinarian if any problems arise.

How to keep horses from getting parasites?

Have plenty of clean, fresh water available at all times. Provide your horse with access to salt. Maintain an effective control program for internal parasites. Have the horse's teeth examined annually and consult your veterinarian on a regular basis.

How to mix new feed with old feed?

Mix the new feed with the old, gradually increasing the amount of the new feed while decreasing an equal amount of the old.

Is mini horse feed better than hay?

So even though this feed costs more, it is absolutely a better value. I don't have to feed near as much of the complete feed, or hay, as I did with sweet feed.