Feeding the Miniature Horse
- Assessing body condition score. Evaluating your miniature horse’s body condition is necessary before you can determine how much hay and grain he needs.
- 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.
What do we feed our miniature horses?
WHAT DO WE FEED OUR MINIATURES? We feed good clean, mold free, grass hay and (here is my plug for Purina) Omolene 200, a 14% sweet feed, grain. Keep in mind to make any changes to your minis diet slowly! Abrupt changes in diet can cause a variety of health problems like colic, founder and hyperlipemia. PASTURED MINIATURES HORSES:
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 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.
How to keep miniature horses from eating too much grass?
Muzzling or drylotting can allow them to get exercise and mingle with the herd while avoiding too much grass. Alfalfa hay is too energy-dense for most Miniature Horses; grass hay is a better choice, fed at the rate of about 1.5% of their body weight in hay daily.
How much feed should you feed a miniature horse?
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 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.
What do mini horses eat in the winter?
PASTURED MINIATURES HORSES: Our mature, over three years of age, minis do not get grain of any kind unless they are broodmares. They do just fine with pasture grass in the warmer months and coastal hay during the winter months.
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!
How much grain do 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.
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.
Should mini horses eat alfalfa?
An average miniature horse weighs 200 pounds and should receive at least 2 to 4 pounds of forage a day. Look for a fine, soft, leafy hay rather than a coarse, mature hay. Feed at least one-third to one-half of a flake of a good quality grass or alfalfa- grass mixed hay twice a day.
What temperature is too cold for mini horses?
In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° and 59° F, depending on their hair coat.
Can mini horses live outside in winter?
Provided they have a full winter coat, a healthy body condition, access to plenty of forage, and shelter from the wind, the outdoors is the best place for them to be.
How can I get my miniature horse to gain weight?
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Should mini horses eat alfalfa?
An average miniature horse weighs 200 pounds and should receive at least 2 to 4 pounds of forage a day. Look for a fine, soft, leafy hay rather than a coarse, mature hay. Feed at least one-third to one-half of a flake of a good quality grass or alfalfa- grass mixed hay twice a day.
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.
How to keep a miniature horse healthy?
Good nutrition is an important part of keeping your miniature horse healthy and happy. Be sure to feel your horse’s body on a weekly basis, especially in the winter, to be sure he is not getting too fat or too thin. Provide your mini with good quality, soft hay at least twice a day.
What is the best way to care for a miniature horse?
Dental care is vitally important to the welfare of your miniature horse. Design a parasite control program with your vet so the feed you put in your mini benefits him, not his unwanted guests! With these guidelines and the help of your vet, your mini can be a healthy partner and friend for many years.
How to get shine in horse coat?
Supplemental fat. Flax seed is a great supplement to put a shine in your horse’s coat. Buy a package of ground flax seed at the health food store and feed 1 level teaspoon mixed into the grain at one of the feedings every day. Do not give any other type of oil, such as corn oil, while giving flax seed.
What is the most important ingredient in a horse's diet?
Hay or forage is the most important ingredient in a horse’s diet. Every horse needs at least 1 percent of its body weight or 50 percent of total intake in good quality forage. Use a weight tape to estimate your horse’s weight or weigh the animal on a livestock scale. Buy enough bales of green, alfalfa-grass mixed hay or good quality grass hay ...
How thick should a flake of hay be?
Flakes of hay can vary greatly by thickness; a normal flake should be 1½ to 2 inches thick. When dividing the flake of hay, put it over the horse’s feed pan so that any chaff will fall into the feed pan. This chaff is high in protein and is desirable in the feeding program. Finally, when feeding miniature horses, ...
How often should miniature horses have their teeth examined?
Dental problems are fairly common in miniatures because their teeth are very large for their small jaws — nearly the same size as a full sized horse’s teeth! Like larger horses, miniature horses should have their teeth examined by a veterinarian or equine dentist at least once a year.
What is a good forage for horses?
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 for other nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals. When selecting a concentrate, make sure it is designed for your horse’s age, workload and production 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 ...
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.
Can horses eat more than they need?
It’s common for horse owners to feed more than the minimum amount of forage recommended. Feeding more forage is fine as long as the total ration is balanced to provide optimal amounts of nutrients to meet the animal’s needs, including calories, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Can you feed a mini horse fortified feed?
If your horse, mini or pony is an easy keeper or gains weight easily, it may be difficult to feed enough commercial fortified feed to provide adequate protein, vitamins and minerals without causing the horse to gain too much weight. In this instance, a concentrated feed or supplement may be best.
Do horses need hay?
However, there are some necessary nutrients commonly lacking in forages, including some minerals in fresh pasture, or amino acids, vitamins and minerals in hay. Additionally, growing horses, broodmares and working horses usually need an additional source of calories.
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About The Author
Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care.
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 are miniature horses more prone to colic than big horses?
They are more prone to colic because of their hearty appetite and predisposition for dental problems. Miniatures tend to have more problems with their teeth because they have the same size and number of teeth as a big horse packed into ...
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.
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!
Can miniature horses live a long life?
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.
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.
What is the best diet for horses?
The foundation of any horse’s diet is a steady, unending flow of forage. [i] Since hay has lost the nutrients that live pasture once had, a comprehensive supplement or fortified feed and a source of omega 3s are needed to fill in nutritional gaps. Protein quality is best maintained by feeding a variety of protein sources, rather than only one type of forage. A balanced, varied, and nutritious diet protects the horse’s ability to naturally fight off disease, produce and repair tissues, and prevent degenerative diseases. And equally important, a calm, stress-free environment [ii] should be maintained to prevent the damaging hormonal response that can lead to ulcers, colic, allergies, metabolic syndrome, and even laminitis and equine Cushing’s disease.
What should I feed my mini hay?
Your mini should be fed a diet that has less than 10% combined sugar and starch. If at all possible, test your hay [iv] to determine its nutrient content. Here are additional feeding considerations:
What are miniature horses?
Miniature horses are adorable. They not only make great pets, but offer ample showing opportunities including halter, jumping, driving, and trails. Because of their small stature, they also make excellent therapy horses for ill or disabled adults and children.
Why are miniature horses so easy to keep?
Miniature horses are easy keepers; they tend to hold on to body weight and have a genetic propensity toward insulin resistance. On top of this, they are often overfed. Guessing their weight when portioning out feeds can result in feeding far too many calories.
Do mini horses have teeth?
Interestingly, minis have the same number and size of teeth as full-sized horses. Since their heads are considerably smaller, this potentially leads to overcrowded teeth and malocclusions. If ignored, your mini can experience sinus infections and facial distortions, as well as difficulty chewing, predisposing him to choke and colic. Even if your mini is just a pasture pet and appears well-nourished, it doesn’t mean that his teeth are fine. It is imperative that minis receive yearly dental exams.
Do mini horses have the same digestive system as full sized horses?
Minis have the same digestive system as full-sized horses, but because of their small size and unique breed needs, they require a steady flow of forage, appropriate feeds, plenty of exercise, freedom to graze, and reduced stress, along with regular dental care.
