Do Miniature Horses Make Good House Pets?

Miniature horses are friendly, gentle, playful, docile, social, and curious in general, making them ideal companion pets. They are known to be intelligent animals that learn quickly and are obedient and easygoing.

Can I keep a mini horse in my house?

A miniature horse, full grown, weighs between 150 and 250 pounds, so they are small enough to keep in a house, though they’re typically kept in a barn. Unlike regular horses, which relieve themselves every hour, mini horses can be potty trained and can wait up to 6 hours to go outside to poop and pee.

How long do mini horses live for?

25-35 years
Q: How long do mini horses live? A: The average lifespan of a mini horse ranges from 25-35 years, a third longer than their full-sized counterparts!

Can mini horses be potty trained?

Miniature horses can be house-trained with positive reinforcement and dedication. Potty training a miniature horse is a project best suited to experienced trainers who don’t mind cleaning up a few messes along the way.

Are miniature horses affectionate?

Minis make great pets, and are known for their gentle, affectionate natures. Some are kept as service and guide animals. Their size means they’re easy to transport and their friendly, patient nature makes them ideal for going into hospitals or retirement homes.

What is the average price of a miniature horse?

Miniature horses on average cost between $800 to $5,000. A horse that has been shown will cost more than one that has just been used as a companion horse. Some top show miniature horses can even go for as much as $200,000. Though their appearance may be small, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are cheap to own.

Are mini horses hard to care for?

They are typically easy to care for and their daily cost and the space they require is less than that of an average-sized horse. That said, a miniature horse does need all the same daily care that any horse would need in order to keep it healthy and happy.

What do I need to know about owning a mini horse?

Minis Require Weight Monitoring
With such a small stature, even a few extra pounds around their middle can threaten their health. It puts strain on their joints as well as their heart. Movement will become uncomfortable, and their general quality of life will be diminished.

How many acres do you need per miniature horse?

Mini horses don’t need as much space as standard horses, but it is typically recommended to have ¼ of an acre per mini horse. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that minis LOVE to run.

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.

Why do people have miniature horses?

Miniature Horses have been bred for superb conformation and outstanding dispositions. The result is a beautifully proportionate little horse that is suitable to a variety of uses: as pets, show animals, and a form of therapy for disabled people and guides for the blind.

What do mini horses eat?

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 a horse be potty trained?

That routine is developed and they know to relieve themselves in the same spot over a period of time; such as a special place in the yard or in the trailer. Horses do not have the sense to “hold it” like a trained dog (and human) can do. They will just go.

Can you keep a mini horse in your backyard?

“Most owners choose to have a barn or shelter so that individual animals can be separated for feeding. Fencing can be shorter if you only have miniatures in the pasture. They are not dogs, so they should not be housed in dog-sized areas, such as backyards.”

Do mini horses need grass?

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.

Do miniature horses need a barn?

Proper Shelter
Although miniature horses develop very heavy, furry coats during the winter months, they ought to have shelter. A barn is best, but because they are so small, a lean-to would be sufficient. Treat them as you would a full-sized horse in your particular climate.

Why do mini horses bite?

Baby horses, just like baby people, explore their world with their mouth. Biting is a part of that testing out their environment. Some babies even like the reaction they get when they bite, like it’s a game.

Do mini horses get along with dogs?

Do Miniature Horses Get Along With Other Pets? In general, miniature horses get along great with other horses, dogs, cats, and livestock. Dogs can make especially good friends for minis, particularly if they have grown up together, and cats will even become fast friends with your horse.

Are mini horses easy keepers?

It is also worth noting that most miniature horses are known as “easy keepers.” This means that they tend to put on and maintain weight easier than other types of horses. Thus, the energy (calories) in their diets may need to be reduced to ensure they can maintain proper condition (body weight) for their size.

What is the oldest miniature horse?

Sugar Puff (56 Years)
This pony is a Shetland-Exmoor cross who lived for 56 years (1951-2007) before collapsing and having to be put down. Sugar Puff is the oldest pony on record, coming from West Sussex, United Kingdom. He was used to teach many children how to ride and knew gymkhana and Pony Club well.

Do small horses live longer?

Just like dogs, smaller horses tend to live longer. Most full-grown horses live between 20 to 30 years if they are healthy and well-cared for. Ponies, on the other hand, can live well into their 30s with some living into their 40s.