Mini Horses?

[Toothpick]

Hello!

Anyone here have mini horses?

I been thinking lately about getting one as a pet. I've got 2.5 acres, 1.5 fenced. So not quite enough for a full size horse but perhaps a cute mini horse will suffice.

I'm sure they require the same care a full size horse does, just on a smaller scale. But what are the pros/cons? I've never owned anything but chickens, dogs, cats, and one pig.

What type of food costs should I expect
Do I even have enough land?
Vet bills?

What should I be expecting?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm no expert, and haven't actually owned a mini horse, just a mini donkey, but the downside is they can get obese easy, and can founder easier due to it. So they are probably best kept on a dry lot or have limited access to fresh green grass, especially in the spring. Grains should be limited or not fed at all. They also can suffer more from back and skeletal issues. Otherwise they need the same routine hoof care, and dental care to live a long life.

As long as you manage your acre properly, perhaps with rotational grazing, and make sure the horses get exercise it should work out. General recommendation is 1/2 acre per mini. I would suggest getting at least 2 mini horses so they have companionship.

 

[Toothpick]

The #1 issue I read is they get fat quick. So you really have to pay attention to or mange their feed well. It's best if they don't have any field to eat from what I gather. Which I'm sure is hard for most folks. But apparently they will just eat and eat and eat the free grass and get fat fat fat.

Not good for me. I tend to let my farm animals roam free willy. I prefer it that way. I certainly do not want to raise a fat a$$ mini horse just cause I'm to lazy to manage it's diet. My chickens roam willy nilly, no plans on regulating their diet. Figured maybe do the same with the mini horse with moderate bag diet but apparently not! I've got a bit more research to do first of course. I still want one. But want is secondary to "can you care for it adequately"