There are many different aspects to consider when it comes to owning a miniature horse. You need to make sure that you do a lot of research before committing, as this could have an impact on your expenses.
Miniature horses are super cute, but they’re not for everyone. They do require special care, and that’s something that has a price attached.
The good news is they don’t need too much food, don’t need as much space to pasture, and are fairly inexpensive to upkeep.
You just need to aware of all the costs, and hopefully, the guide below will help you.
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How much does a miniature horse cost?
As with any breed of horse, the price of a miniature horse will vary based on the animal’s age, size, and breeding. Price ranges for a mini horse can be in the thousands of dollars.
Even a high-end show mini can sell from $2,000 to $50,000+. However, in many instances, you will find mini horses for sale for $100 to $2,000.
If you’re looking at purchasing one, there are some things you should consider. You may want to take your time and research before making a final decision on buying one.
As we look at the costs, we will see that there is quite a range of prices.
The good thing is, in most cases, you can buy an already established miniature horse for much less than if you start with a young one.
It’s unusual for them to sell for more than $4,000, and the average price tends to be between $2,000 and $3,000.
When you do buy a miniature, you need to think about all your costs, including feed, farrier care (shoeing), veterinary care, dental care, and housing.
The Costs of Owning a Miniature Horse
They eat way less than a full-sized horse, need much less hay and pasture space, make less noise – which is good for people who like to sleep or work at home.
The average recommendation for food is 1.5% of their body weight per day.
For example, food for a 3600-pound horse is 54 lbs of food per week – 52 lbs of hay and 2 lbs of grain. Hay can range in price from $4 -$15 a bale depending on the kind of hay and where it is grown.
This is not bad pricing if you consider how much it would be to feed a larger horse.
The vast majority of minis are able to live on very little grain. They will thrive on oats and hay, but a harder feed, like a diet consisting mainly of alfalfa, or a grain-free mix may be needed.
Horses need to be given adequate water to drink. A good rule of thumb is one gallon per day per 25 lbs.
Health food for horses: The best hay in town
It’s really important that you know they are getting proper nutrition. A horse can go months on grass alone, though it is considerably less palatable than the feed to which it is accustomed.
You can get the hay tested, so you have a better idea of the protein and nutrient content.
This will make your horse healthier, strong, and happier. In the past, they were fed the same thing all year round, but now we know that is not good for them.
Vitamins and minerals are important to the horse’s health. It is not wise to give them supplements all year long.
Only use them as needed when a deficiency is suspected, and you get it checked out by a vet.
Supplements are not a real required part of a horse’s diet, as most horses can get the nutrients they need from forage, hay, and/or their regular ration.
Some horses may occasionally require supplements if the feed is not providing enough energy, especially in the early spring and late winter months, or if the ration is not nutritionally balanced.
Expect to pay from 10 cents to $4 a day. The price may vary depending on certain factors such as the type of supplement, which supplements are used, and how many horses are fed per day.
Miniature horse diet and feeders
If you have a large area of land for your mini to feed, you need to consider this.
Although they love to run free and spend time out and about, they are prone to obesity.
They keep eating, and they keep eating, which can not only lead to health problems and higher vet bills.
They are much better suited to dry lots or paddocks that are fenced in.
They are a wonderful companion animal and love to play and be with other horses, but this is not always possible with a miniature horse. They need to have a really good place to live so that they can be active and healthy.
You’ll Have to Pay The Same Vet And Farrier Fees
Even though it may seem more affordable to have a mini horse than a full-size one, you should be aware that the ongoing costs associated with horse ownership are similar.
You will still need to pay for a veterinarian to inspect your new pet and administer necessary vaccinations, routine hoof care from a farrier, and the odd medical expense that you are not expecting.
Furthermore, if you’ll be boarding your mini, expect the boarding facility to charge you a similar rate to board a full-size horse.
As the mini weighs less, the facility may save on bedding and feed costs. However, the owner might choose to charge the same rate. Also, watch out for any hidden costs.
In fairness, most boarding facilities are upfront, but if this is your biggest expense, you need to know everything upfront.
We need to talk about Poop
If you are boarding, then they should look after everything. However, if you are going to be housing your mini, the very best use is your own garden.
You can always suggest to friends and neighbors that you are free fertilizer.
There are also Management Companies that can take the manure and dispose of it, which saves you a lot of stress.
Check who in your local area can provide this service for you. Some companies even offer it free.
Training and Handling
You need to make sure you are doing require training and handling. The horse needs to be on a regular training and handling program.
Exercise is extremely important as well for making sure they have a healthy weight and body.
They are no different than training a larger horse in that regard.
It’s important to have regular sessions with a professional trainer as well. Having a miniature horse is not the same as having a regular full-sized horse.
Miniature horses are not that much different from regular horses, but the difference is enough that you need to make sure you are very clear on what your expectations are for your animal.
Every three weeks, you should be able to have 30 minutes of “grooming,” where the horse can be brushed out and given attention.
Don’t Let Your Mini Outsmart You. Fence them in with Confidence!
Minis are super curious will find any gaps in fencing that you didn’t think about. So, we have to be very careful when fencing our Mini Horse.
Because they like to play, so they might try to go through the fence. You might need to lower the fence line a little bit so that your mini can’t go through the fence.
They can also be persistent and are always on the lookout for adventure. Minis are crafty too and are capable of solving problems. If you want to keep your mini secure and safe, you must have a secure fence.
