Miniature Horses

Jan 23

1/24/20

“Minis are my smallest clients!”

I work with several herds of miniature horses and they always make me smile!

However, minis can present feeding challenges because they are prone to obesity and associated metabolic complications.

When we think about the digestive physiology of the horse, ideally they would spend most of their day consuming fiber from forage. Unfortunately for minis or any other obesity prone horse, the negative affects of obesity (due to grazing all day) can reduce their lifespan and seriously impair their quality of life. I take extra care in formulating a diet program for them with all of this in mind.

So, how do I feed miniature horses?...

Most of the miniature horses I work with do not get much exercise and this recommendation is best suited for a mini without a job or light work. The minis below receive 1.5% of their bodyweight in good quality hay per day. This can range however from 1.25 - 2% of bodyweight based on body condition. For a 300 lb. mini, that is somewhere between 3.75-6 lbs per day. (Use a weight tape to accurately assess weight. I recommend the Purina weight tape for high accuracy with minis.) In harsh conditions like Minnesota winters, this may be on the upper end (2% bodyweight per day) or increase by 1-2 lbs. in the coldest months of January and February.

This doesn't feel like a lot of hay, does it? This is the recommended rate and the amount I go with to ensure they stay in a healthy body condition. Most of us overfeed minis or feed them like our 1,000+ lb. horses. Don't forget how small they are and how easily they can become unhealthy from overeating!

Because this amount of hay is low and they will not fill their entire day eating it, I spread this out into 2-3 small meals and deliver it in a small hole hay feeder net. These type of hay nets will increase the time it takes them to eat, helping achieve that ideal prolonged flow of fiber through the digestive tract without overfeeding. If they have increased calorie needs to maintain weight or are still growing, pregnant or lactating, I increase the amount of hay or offer free choice to match their calorie needs. (Refer to a horse body condition score chart to evaluate your mini and determine if they need more or less calories.)

I also make sure they are getting a high-quality ration balancer to provide recommended vitamins, minerals and protein. Even the best hay will have nutrient gaps, particularly in trace minerals, so in an effort to maintain good health I keep this as part of the diet. I typically feed balancer to minis at a rate of 1/4 lb. to 1/2 lb. per day. This will vary slightly depending on manufacturer recommendations and the particular product you go with. Also, don't forget the free choice salt and fresh clean water.

A nutritionally balanced mini is a less naughty mini! Ok, maybe that’s not true but one can wish, right? 😉