I’m linking to the last lot of tips today, otherwise Amanda’s answer won’t make sense…
“Hi Amanda,
I’ve had a mini mare for several years now,.. They’re pretty notorious for biting, and kicking! Most are just establishing their pecking order, and aren’t being mean! My little gal bites everyone who goes into her paddock area. Never hard or with any malicious intent. She just wants everyone to know, she’s the Alpha out there! She’s not ever hurt anyone,… Just scared a few off.
It may interest you to know, mini’s can be more than a little difficult to care for! Not trying to worry you, because they indeed make wonderful pets! I’d rescued mine from serious abuse and neglect, so she’d been problematic from the start. But I’ve spent a lot of time researching, there are some things that easily cause health issues in the mini’s. What you feed daily can be paramount to keeping them healthy, as mini’s do founder fairly easily. In fact it’s pretty hard to keep them from it. Also many of them have a tendency to lock up in their stifles. Walking up and down small hills will help prevent this from happening. I’d advise strongly against feeding Alfalfa to your mini, and no sugar treats! Carrots and apples are okay it seems, but in moderation! A mini will eat till they burst! Or at least my little girl never seems to get enough to eat! They’re good doers, and don’t need a lot at meal time. I’ve never had an issue with my mini getting colic, but have heard others complain a lot of their mini’s and getting bouts of colic from time to time. Particularly with feed change, or severe temperature changes. As much as we love our girl, I can honestly tell you, my 17H QH gelding is far easier to maintain and keep healthy! Mini’s truly are a joy, but they’re not easy to keep healthy!
Good luck with your boy, and I hope you come to truly enjoy the wonderful world of the miniature horse! They’re honestly awesome to have around, and have a pretty healthy sense of humor! If ya need help, or have questions, ill answer if i can, if not I can sure refer you to others, more ‘in the know’ than I am! Do feel free to holler at me!
Laura”
“Thanks for all the tips. Here are some that I use.
1 I put bridles in an old pillow case to keep them clean.
2 I also keep my good riding boots in a pillow case inside the boot bag. On the way to a show the pillow case keeps the boots shiny and on the way home it stops the boot bag lining from getting all dirty. It is easier to wash the pillow case than the boot bag.
3 Old socks make good cleaning and polishing rags especially when you put them on your hand like a mitten.
Robyn”
“Here is an old Australian trick to prevent dehydration in horses that won’t drink when away from home eg at shows or if moved to a new home. Often, water can taste different for many reasons. This can be because of the container it is in at shows, the pipes it flows through and the soil it has contact with. Simply take a bag of your horse’s clean home soil (paddock dirt) and mix a handful of this into his water to make it taste like home. Try it if this is a problem your horse has. Amanda from Australia”
“Hi Al, can you provide me with a sure-fire way to get rid of rain rot? My 4 yr old chestnut filly has it and we cannot seem to get rid of it no matter what we do. They barn I keep her at has used tea tree oil spray, Mira-cote supplement, baby oil, M-T-G, bathing her with selsum blue shampoo on just those areas. Even put her on an antibiotic but it still is not clearing up. This us all over a period of 5-6 months. It’s not infected now, but dry skin scabbing all over her hind quarters, back legs, back and withers and losing her hair.
Any known cures for a horse.with sensitive skin would be greatly appreciated.
FYI – she’s an OTTB and I just got her in October of 2013. Truly a sweet, sweet filly who had excellent training and has a great mind.
Thank you!
Lynn”
“Hi for the tangled mains and tails why not use argon oil a little goes a long way.
Hi Amanda As for the mini pony living by himself and getting nasty, did you know in some european countries it is illegal to keep one horse it has to have company at all times, they are a herd animal, one on its own is not acceptable they develop odd behaviour. He needs an older horse to keep him in linve
Jennifer”
“Purchase rubber dog play ring (aprox 4-5 inches wide – cost about £5), loop through a short length of rope.
Easy to slip the ring on your wrist whilst holding the nose to place on the loop, twist your wrist in either direction to tighten loop.
You can then place the rubber ring on the side of the head collar between the buckle and strap, which will hold it in place. Ideal for using on your own when clipping etc. Loosen from headcollar side and unwind to release.
Christine”
Thanks to everyone who has contributed. Please keep ’em coming.
Best
Al