Not to sure what to do(mini horse)

[patandchickens]

You *can* of course keep *anything* alone, and it will probably not up and die. (Well actually some things will, but not many).

However the great vast majority of horses are much MUCH happier, more relaxed, and behave more naturally and appropriately when they have a companion horse or horses. I think it would be a terrible mistake to have just one mini.

Minis are not as hard on soil as full sized horses, but if it's actively wet out there the mini's hooves WILL seriously damage your lawn. Not only will the ground get cut up and punched (and then dry that way), even if you move the pony around from day to day, the soil will become compacted so that your lawn never grows quite as well again.

I really really wouldn't do it.

For minis or typical ponies, you really oughta have a 'dry lot' anyhow, because it is quite likely they won't be able to be left out on full pasture in some parts of the year when the grass is real lush. Unless you want to learn more than you ever wanted to about laminitis, founder, and potentially euthanasia. So, the best solution for a wet property would be to build an all-season sacrifice paddock for them, even just 20x20 would be *something* and not too horrible for two minis. Unfortunately you can't really build this when the ground is already wet. But, when it is dry (or frozen), remove the surface topsoil and sod, put in enough gravel (like 3/4-minus) that when you have it professionally compacted it gives you a couple inches higher than the previous level of the topsoil (make sure it is graded right to drain), then top with some sort of footing such as pea gravel or coarse angular sand. You will need an indoor or rubber matted area to feed your hay on because of the footing, but this will give you a pretty mudproof grassproof area that will have various useful uses during the year.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Florida chick]

Quote:
This is totally false! Horse kept alone, stress colic, crib, get anixiety etc etc etc. They are herd animals and do not thrive alone. I am not saying they can't live, but they won't THRIVE!
That said, how much land do you have? If your worried about hooves tearing up your grass, don't get a horse. Even a mini is pricey BTW they need the Farrier every 6 weeks, deworming every 6 weeks. Mineral/salt quality hay, grain, Vet, vaccinations etc.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Quote:
This is totally false! Horse kept alone, stress colic, crib, get anixiety etc etc etc. They are herd animals and do not thrive alone. I am not saying they can't live, but they won't THRIVE!
That said, how much land do you have? If your worried about hooves tearing up your grass, don't get a horse. Even a mini is pricey BTW they need the Farrier every 6 weeks, deworming every 6 weeks. Mineral/salt quality hay, grain, Vet, vaccinations etc.

Appearently my horses and horses ive seen kept alone must be an exception.

They have thrived, not just survived. Ill guarentee you, you wouldnt have known they where kept alone without someone telling you they where.

ETA, if you cant trim your horses feet yourself, you problay dont need a horse to begin with.

 

[reallemons1]

I have kept horses both alone and with others. They do like best to be in a herd, however they did just as well while alone. I guess maybe some can take being alone but others can't handle it.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

ETA, if you cant trim your horses feet yourself, you problay dont need a horse to begin with.

I consider trimming horse's feet an art. You really just can't go and cut your horse's hooves like you would a toenail. There are many things that need to be taken into account when trimming hooves and that's before you even think about shoes (for larger horses and ponies). It's a skill I would love to learn, but until I can learn to do it properly I will not risk messing up my horse's feet. (I have no idea your situation and for all I know you may be excellent at this!)

My intention is not to pick on you at all but in my personal opinion I just think it's better for a beginner horse owner to have a farrier trim until they can learn how to do it properly. That's certainly not to say that the average horse owner can not trim their horse's hooves. Its just that the hooves are such a vital part of survival for a horse and messing that up (even just a little bit, especially when dealing with angles) can really cause detrimental results!​

 

[redhen]

okay..solution to the problem...bring the little horsey in the house!..

...*they use them as guide dogs now..*...it will save the grass AND he wont be alone outside....

 

[patandchickens]

You can SERIOUSLY screw up a horse's feet, sometimes permanently, if you don't know what you're doing.

Heck, many professional farriers don't especially know what they're doing.

I'd say about 1-5% of the horseowners I've seen doing their own trimming really know what they're doing.

It's not like trimming goat feet or rotating tires.


Pat

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Quote:
Well in that case pay someone to do it. Id just rather not pay someone else to take care of my horses or animals, when you should be able to do MOST of it yourself. And if a professional farrier DOESNT know what hes doing, then it doesnt sound like hes really a farrier, maybe you should look into finding someone else.

 

[patandchickens]

Yes, it is not easy to find a good farrier or other sort of trimmer.

Proof of why it isn't a do it yourself job for someone without significant amounts of training from an expert.

Although, with minis it can be worth trying to find someone to teach you to do a good job (on that particular horse. learning to do horses *in general* is a whole nother sort of education) because not all farriers are willing to do minis, especially if that's all they're coming out for. On account of back and knee problems. In the farriers I mean, not the horses

Pat

 

[Florida chick]

Quote:
This is totally false! Horse kept alone, stress colic, crib, get anixiety etc etc etc. They are herd animals and do not thrive alone. I am not saying they can't live, but they won't THRIVE!
That said, how much land do you have? If your worried about hooves tearing up your grass, don't get a horse. Even a mini is pricey BTW they need the Farrier every 6 weeks, deworming every 6 weeks. Mineral/salt quality hay, grain, Vet, vaccinations etc.

Appearently my horses and horses ive seen kept alone must be an exception.

They have thrived, not just survived. Ill guarentee you, you wouldnt have known they where kept alone without someone telling you they where.

ETA, if you cant trim your horses feet yourself, you problay dont need a horse to begin with.

Well the last time I checked HORSES is plural=more than one... So do you have A horse or HORSES? This person is talking about getting a HORSE=singular. How could your horse thrive ALONE if you have HORSES? This makes no sense.
FYI VERY VERY few horse owners are qualified to trim, shoe and maintain a natural hoof balance. It takes years of education and hands on.