Miniature Horse Feeding GuidelinesBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 19, 2011

Miniature Horses are popular pets, companions, and competition partners. Despite their small stature, feeding guidelines diverge only slightly from those of their larger relatives. Requirements are simply scaled down.

Like their larger relatives, idle Miniature Horses will eat approximately 1.5% of their body weight per day. For a 200-lb (90-kg) Miniature, that equates to 3 lb (1.4 kg) of feed per day. For Miniatures at maintenance, this probably translates to mediocre- to good-quality forage in the form of pasture or hay. Extremely rich, energy-dense forages such as pure alfalfa should probably be avoided for these horses.

A balancer pellet should be fed; this provides all of the necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals necessary for optimal health.

As energy requirements increase due to physiologic state (more demanding work, late gestation, early lactation), supplemental grain can be added based on body condition. Properly conditioned Miniature Horses should have a body condition of 5, based on the scale of 1 (extremely emaciated) to 9 (obese). For the horse owner, this means the horse’s ribs should be palpable but not seen.

Obesity is a concern for many Miniature Horses, especially those with access to unlimited forage or those offered too much grain. Obesity-related health concerns such as laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome are common among Miniature Horses.

Are you unsure about what to feed your Miniature Horse? Contact a qualified equine nutritionist to help you work out a diet that is healthy and nutritionally balanced for your horse.

From:  http://ker.equinews.com/article/miniature-horse-feeding-guidelines

Managing Diet

Managing DietBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 31, 2013

They’re tiny, cute, and appealing, and just looking at a Miniature Horse makes the average person want to cuddle it and feed it a treat. With obesity being one of the most common problems among Miniature Horses, this very natural response can lead to health challenges in a breed of extremely easy keepers.

Miniature Horses are much more likely than full-sized horses to develop hyperlipemia, a serious problem related to fat mobilization and metabolism.

Two conditions work together to undermine moderate body condition among Miniature Horses. First, most Miniature Horses do very little if any work, so they burn few calories beyond what is needed for maintenance. Second, as with many small breeds, a Miniature Horse’s metabolism is quite efficient at making the best use of everything it eats. Energy needs are lower than for some other breeds, and any calories that are not immediately needed are stored as fat.

Miniature Horse owners who have owned full-sized horses may be tempted to use similar principles in deciding how much to feed their pint-sized equines. They may get into additional trouble by overestimating the body weight of their charges and figuring feed amounts as a percentage of this figure. Actually, most Miniature Horses weigh no more than 200 to 250 pounds, with some weighing considerably less. Regularly weighing the Miniature Horse on a scale gives the most accurate information on weight loss and gain. Weight tapes are designed for larger animals and are not generally accurate when used on Miniature Horses. One formula for calculating a Miniature’s approximate weight in pounds is (9.36 x girth measurement in inches) + (5 x body length in inches) - 348.5. A seamstress tape is sufficient for taking these measurements.

Unless they are in moderate to heavy work, Miniature Horses don’t need to eat a lot of grain. If a horse is too heavy or is gaining weight, owners have the option of cutting out all grain and feeding a balancer pellet to supply vitamins and mineral without loading up on starch-rich feeds. Even without grain in the diet, full pasture turnout can be problematic for some Miniature Horses, especially if the forage is of very good quality. Muzzling or drylotting can allow them to get exercise and mingle with the herd while avoiding too much grass. Alfalfa hay is too energy-dense for most Miniature Horses; grass hay is a better choice, fed at the rate of about 1.5% of their body weight in hay daily.

Some Miniature Horses are used for driving, breeding, or showing in hand, and these animals may have higher caloric demands than their idle cousins. These horses should be given more hay as a first step. If they are unable to maintain body condition, owners might add a small amount of grain or a little alfalfa (lucerne) mixed into the regular hay ration.

Is extra body fat just unsightly, or does it actually threaten the health of Miniature Horses? Unfortunately, Miniature Horses are much more likely than full-sized horses to develop hyperlipemia, a serious problem related to fat mobilization and metabolism. In Miniature Horses and some pony breeds, stressful situations such as pregnancy, illness, lactation, or feed deprivation can be triggers for the release of stored fat and its conversion to glucose. The process can easily overwhelm the liver’s ability to function, and liver failure or rupture may occur. Obesity adds to the likelihood of this reaction, so preventing excessive weight gain is more than just a cosmetic issue. One of the first signs of hyperlipemia is a decline in appetite. This may be followed by colic signs, weakness, muscle tremors, lethargy, diarrhea, or seizures. Early and aggressive veterinary treatment is necessary to save affected horses, and up to 70% of Miniature Horses with hyperlipemia die if the liver has been damaged.

To minimize the chance of a Miniature Horse developing hyperlipemia, obesity should be avoided by careful dietary management. Care should be taken not to expose Miniature Horses to extreme physical stress. A veterinarian should be consulted if a horse shows illness or loss of appetite, as treatment is much more effective if it is begun as soon as the condition is noticed.

FRom: http://ker.equinews.com/article/keeping-miniature-horses-healthy-managing-diet

What Can You Do With a MINI?

People ask, what can you do with a mini?

Here's one example of what you can do.

 
Description Translated by Google from YouTube.
Fourteen girls from youth riding Urmoneit in Franconia Ebersbach tension ponies before their unicycles and go to great music an extraordinary quadrille.
 


On numerous riding sporting events such as the gala show horse Bodensee in Friedrichshafen or the top gala show in Nuremberg fascination Horse dance troupe impressed with their performance, the audience is probably unique
 
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-feymJg5M&ref=nf
Video uploaded June 28, 2007

Miniature Horse in Lion Costume

This is one of my most favorite videos of a mini.

A Virtual Chariot Ride

 

A Virtual Chariot Ride

2012 Reserve National Champion

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Posted by Douglasgnapier...Published on Sep 15, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbmJ-9ZZA6o

2012 AMHR nationals tulsa ok
http://WWW.Kuelqhs.COM for more horse stuff

Stetson and his BFF

Stetson was placed in a fabulous home, you can read about at:

 Stetson, June 2011. 

Stetson has always enjoyed attention and loves to be ridden. We know because while here, he would run up to the kids who wanted to ride him.

He knew what they were here for and he loved the attention.

So here is Stetson now, at his new home in Indiana Stetson where he gets lots of attention and love.

HorseShowsONLINE

So you missed the class and do not know who the winners were...NO PROBLEM!!!

 

LINK to Show Results:

HorseShowsONLINE

Remember, there is a one day delay between the class and results getting up online.

 

 

Fanastic Photos of Chariots Found in Facebook

Someone posted this photo of  miniature horses pulling a chariot on my wall in Facebook.

I was able to track down the source: Kampfwagenrennen - BEN HUR LIVE on a Facebook page and are Copyrighted by Andrea Reitthaler (Reitthaler Andrea '08). They are great action photos and Andrea does a fanastic job of capturing the details in all her photos.
In addition the event and her photograph provide a careful study of the various chariots and Roman uniforms of the drivers may help other miniature horse owners that want to show in chariot class an idea for designing their chariots.

Also if you check out the Kampfwagenrennen Facebook site you can read more about the event.

There is also a website where the story about the Das Kampfwagenrennen Chariot Race in 2010 and prior events were held.

If you google videos kampfwagenrennen you will also find a great many video on YouTube with costumes and events include chariot races.

This link will take you to the opening parade (it is only a segment of the event) but there are lots of Roman costumes.

Kampfwagenrennen Pfaffenhofen 2008 XII 

Hot Weather Breaksfast for Minis/ Cool Water Ritchie Water

It's always a challenge to keep your minis (or any animal) cool when the weather gets above 95 degrees. I have discovered several ways in addition to those you read on the internet.

What to feed them to keep them cool? My horses breaksfast on a special gourment delight seen to the right. It may be a little hard to see the but the horses know. It is about 3/4 pound of alfafha/grass hay, with a fresh watermelon slice garnished with a sprinkling of oats. Nourishing and tasty the herd is ready for breakfast.

Coming towards her breaksfast is the foal, Neyitira. Behind her is the two year old Kissed by an Angel, then Neyitira's dam- Summer Breeze, the little colt Dyn-O-Mite and several more.

After the meal they like to loaf in the open shelter, complete with a Ritchie Combo Unit. This automatic water insures cool fresh water  that both the mares and foals can access.

Just word about these Ritchie waterers. They stopped making this model..I do not know why...I have three of them and by next week a fourth. They are the right height for adult minis, too high to poop in but just right for all the smallest minis. The low waterer are great for the short ones and the foals. I can keep horses on both sides, because the other side has the same configuration.
Clean, fresh, cool water and in the winter you can adjust to the perfect  warm water for the horses.
Ritchie, in my mine you  blew it when you stopped production on this model!!

One more photo, below is Rebel (Lucky Four Rebelchase Rebelheir) hanging out with his new friend, ZeePa, the black Russian terrier.

Toad Hill's June Bug

Toad Hill's June Bug - 2012

June Bug was foals 6/12/2006. She is registered AMHA/AMHR.
Link to foals:
Toad Hill's Dyn-O-Mite
Toad Hill's Mint Julep

                       Stout's Blackberry 30.5"
            S Bar P's Sir Prince (HOF) 32.25"
                        S Bar P;s Missy Mistry of Marion 33"
Sire: Toad Hill's the Great Gatsby 33.25"
                          Little Hoof's Midget Mite 31"
              Koch's My Angel 32.5"
                         Koch's Little Brandy 36"

                         X Calibers Little Navajo 31.5"
              HCM Navajos Bold Innovation 32"
                         NFC Tiny Mites Delight 33/5"
Dam: Klavohn's Oreo Delight 32.5"
                         Star's Sunburst 28"
              Klavoh's D. Q. Double Delight 31"
                         Sunshine Sweet & Low 28"