The Mini Horse: Is he right for you?
Many people are passionate about horses, and dream of being able to have one of their own. Unfortunately, horseback riding is often referred to as “the sport of kings” because horses are so expensive.
Yet miniature horses can provide many of the joys of horse ownership without the big bills. Where allowed by law, minis can be kept in a big backyard. You’ll have to check your local laws and ordinances to confirm, but typically if you have at least ¼ of an acre you can keep a miniature.
Tiny Treasures
Although you won’t be able to ride your miniature horse, they can be trained to pull a cart instead. A single miniature is quite powerful, and can easily pull an adult in a cart. If you’re hoping to be competitive, there’s plenty of show opportunities in driving, including high speed games driving through cones.
Conformation classes and “jumping” classes where you run along side your miniature can also give you fun ways to handle your horse.
Care
Although miniature horses are smaller and require less food and less space, they still need the same things full sized horses need. These include clean water, plenty of hay, and regular veterinary and farrier care.
Although miniature horses are more affordable because they can live in your backyard and require less food, farrier bills and vet bills can still add up. It’s important to make sure you can provide for their specialized needs before deciding if they are right for you.
They also still need to be groomed, trained, and exercised. While this is a big part of horse ownership and a lot of the fun, it’s also a lot of responsibility. It’s important to make sure this is what you want before deciding to own a horse.
Meet a mini first if possible
The best way to know if a mini is right for you is to spend the day with one. Contact a breeder, rescue, or other location that has minis and ask if you can be introduced to a miniature. Most breeders and rescues really appreciate that you’re doing your due diligence, and will be more than happy to introduce you to a mini or two.
This can also help you decide which gender is right for you. Geldings, mares and stallions all have distinct personalities. A gelding is usually the best choice for a beginner, as they tend to have the most mellow personalities.
Stallions are usually best for experienced handlers who want to show, because they have the biggest presence in the ring. Mares have a mind of their own, and work well with some people while disliking others.
Without meeting them, it’s impossible to know what sort of personality you like best, or will find easiest to work with.
Miniature horses can make wonderful pets, and can be just as comfortable hanging out in a backyard as they can living in a proper stable. If you’ve always dreamed of owning a horse but can’t afford the board for one, a miniature horse could be the right answer for you.