How to Keep a Miniature Horse Fit

The American Miniature Horse Registry has two classifications for miniature horses, "A" division horses are 34 inches and under; "B" division horses are between 34 and 38 inches tall. Miniature horses need to be exercised regularly to stay fit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ride your miniature if you weigh under 50 pounds. Anything over 50 pounds is too much weight for him to carry and could cause injury. If you weigh between 35 and 50 pounds do not jump onto his back, or ride him any faster than a trot.

2. Take your miniature horse with you, on lead, when you go jogging. Running gives your horse the exercise it needs, and it's also fun.

3. Go for a bike ride and take your horse with you. Keep the horse on a lead that is long enough for him to run without getting tangled in your bike.

4. Set up jumps that are between 18-inches and 2-feet tall. Run with your miniature horse and jump over the obstacles yourself. Your horse won't be able to resist joining in. Miniature horses love jumping.

5. Hook a cart up to the horse and let her pull it while you walk alongside her. After she has gotten used to the cart, let her help you to carry groceries to the house or carry things around the yard while you do yard work.

Tips & Warnings

• Miniature horses are good natured, friendly, and make wonderful pets. They have an average lifespan of approximately 40 years.
• Never feed your miniature horse hay. Hay can cause obstructions in his digestive system. He should be fed 1 lb. of grain for 100 pounds of body weight. Break the food into 2 servings and feed him twice a day.

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[lindyp]

on 10/20/2009 I have 11 horses, 5 minis and 1 quarter horse, 3 paints, 2 morgan crosses, this is the most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard! This needs to be removed now or a first time owner can really hurt their little mini!Horses need hay or grass to stay healthy. When someone follows your directions and they end up with a sick horse are you willing to take the liability for that? This information needs to be REMOVED!!! It's WRONG!!!

[charminsheart]

on 5/12/2009 Whoever wrote this article needs more information, you are giving out the wrong information, and someone will hurt a mini, if you don't retrack you article, and someone needs to let the association on what you said.

[horsehappy]

on 11/10/2008 I can not believe that you A mini horse magazine and resistry is telling your readers not to feed hay.
How absurd.
The person writing this either never owned horses or has minis that are starved.
Perhaps someone with a little more knowledge should be writing this magazine.
JO

[cindyf35]

on 11/10/2008 Excuse me: "Never feed your miniature hay" This is absolutly incorrect. Horses even mini's can and need to eat hay. Their grain intake is what needs to be limited. Mini's are the same as big horses except they just eat less. They should eat 1lb of hay per 100lbs of body weight. Do NOT feed that much grain unless it's a complete feed like a senior feed. And then only becuase your mini is a senior.