I'm looking to get a miniature horse...do they need grain?how much?do they need another horse to keep them company? how much does the farrier cost? the vet? do they need blankets? help!
2006-07-26 03:15:13 · 9 answers · asked by horselover 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
and would a mini be fine with company kept by my 2 cats? i thinking of getting a mini who likes cats
2006-07-26 09:24:46 · update #1
A lot of this depends on your location.
Grain-possibly. It depends on the horse(if they are an easy or hard keeper) and how much forage they are getting.
While horses don't need another horse for a companion, it is nice to have one, or another animal to keep it company, such as a goat.
Farrier prices depend on location and the farrier. Prices can range anywhere from $10(as I've seen advertised) to $70. I've personally paid $50 a horse, but that was for average sized horses.
Vet prices also vary drastically, depending on location, vet, and service required. But when all added up(vaccinations, exams, and other misc things) it gets pretty expensive.
And as for blankets, it also depends on location, and preference. I personally don't like to use blankets on my horses in the winter, unless we have freezing rain. Horses will grow a nice coat in the winter to protect them from the weather. If the horse has a blanket in it will not be able to grow that nice thick coat.
2006-07-26 03:24:52 · answer #1 · answered by Alysse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, is your mini going to go barefoot or have shoes? If the farrier only has to trim you horse's feet it will be less expensive than having to shoe it.
Whether or not it needs grain depends on what it will be doing, ( are you going to drive it or just have it as a pet?) how well it keeps on weight and if it has access to forage ( grass in the summer and hay in the winter)
Horses are herd animals so your mini will probably be happier if it has company. If you can't get two minis then you should get a goat or sheep or something similar to keep it company.
The vet cost also depends on a number of things. If your mini will be traveling to competitions or the like it will need more shots because it is exposed to more illnesses than a mini who stays at your house all the time. Keep in mind that the vet will also need to float ( file) it's teeth.
I don't think that blankets are a very important thing to worry about. horses are made to live in the cold weather so as long as your mini has shelter ( a barn is best but if you only have a shed make sure that it has four walls to protect it and that way its body heat won't escape.) if your mini has a thin coat or if it is very cold where you live you might need to invest in a rug for your mini. Ether way make sure your mini is in good weight during the cold months as this will help it mantain a costant body temp. And remember no matter how cold it is that your horse should always be drinking WATER.!!!!!!!!!!!
hope i helped and good luck with your new mini!!!!!
2006-07-26 08:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by dont-ask-me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
miniature horses eat the same things that reagular horses eat except 1/4 the amount. they require the same kind of care. a farrier will probably run you more than what it would be for a normal horse, because it is harder on the farrier to be so close to the ground. Leave it barfoot if possible just get it trimmed. but good luck. You treat the mini the same as a large horse. Have fun and take care.
2006-07-26 05:46:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a miniature horse and he loves to chase the cats. But when you feed him be sure that you don't give him to much because miniatures are prone to foundering. Our farrier charges us five dollars a hoof. As for the vet I don't know it all depends on who you get. You can use blankets on miniature horses. Most horses don't like to be alone but if they have to be you should spend a lot of time with him because horses love to be in herds of other animals. Hope this helped.
2006-07-26 17:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by hannahs_superstar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CF gave a good answer i breed horses in south Africa and had 2 miniatures , first of all make sure you are up for it don't ever by it as a pet for a kid they are small but are far more temperamental and can hurt you more then you think , they get bored they through tantrums and can hurt you they need as much care as a big horse ,like a stable and a blanket if its cold , groomed at least ones a day . If you have dogs keep it away from dogs it will most likely kick them to death , so think about it first and maybe talk to a breeder in you area about what you want they need also space .
2006-07-26 05:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by nadia d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are NOT like regular horses, only smaller....
NO GRAIN!!!! they are very prone to founder
The farrier usually costs a bit more with minis because it is harder on his back and the tiny hooves are shaped more tricky to trim
Like all horses they prefer company - horses are herd animals and do best if they have a friend
Vet charges will be the same as with regular sized horses (price will vary from area to area)
They have harder times foaling
They should not have lush pasture they should have grass hay NOT alfalfa- as again, they are prone to founder
They can be kept with other animals like sheep or llamas or donkeys - but its tricky to keep them with full size horses because of the different feed requirements -
2006-07-26 03:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU need to call horse vets in YOUR area!!!!! Then call the farrier and see what they charge and how often they feel you will need them.
The priced vary so much from area to area!!!! You cannot get that information here!!! Even different vets charge different prices!!!!!!!!!
Get the basic money information first and then worry about the extra expenses!! If you cannot afford the basics of vet care and farrier, then it doesn't matter how much blankets are!!!!!!!!
2006-07-26 03:24:17 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Minis are just like regular horses, just smaller. They need the same food and care (just smaller amounts of it!) They are still herd animals, and prefer to be with other horses (of any size). Sounds like you need to do a lot more research before you get one.....
2006-07-26 03:19:49 · answer #8 · answered by Randi L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-08 08:22:52 · answer #9 · answered by rotanelli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋