Not to sure what to do(mini horse)

[adorable]

Not to sure what to do.I want to buy this miniature horse. But my property stays pretty wet for most of the spring time. The summer and fall is great. Would this min horse if i left in my backyard until the rest of the propery dries up. Would the houves cut all the grass up and make mud?Does anyone know how much property do i need to have min horse.Just one. I do know the stall is 6x8. I dont have much property. But i really want this horse. But i have to think about the horse. It will come in at night to sleep. what do you think?????

 

[dfchaser]

How much property do you have?
Horses eat the grass, and when they do that they pull the roots out, which is what makes mud, so i would say your yard would be muddy for periods of time.

 

[katrinag]

The pasture where we have our horses floods from time to time in the spring or anytime it rains good, I set up a portable fence in the yard and move it every couple days when that happens. I have not had any problems doing this, not to mention I do not have to mow.
The only thing you will want to watch out for id thrush in the hoofs, but regular cleaning of the hoof should take care of that

There is no need to stall them at night, I just leave the door open to the barn that way they can come and go as they please.

 

[skirbo]

Horses, even minis, are herd animals. You'll have a very unhappy horse if you keep him by himself.

Sarah

 

[reallemons1]

Ditto with the thrush and pulling up the grass. Minis tend to over eat for their size so they don't need a lot of grazing space. I have to keep mine in a dry lot when the grass starts to grow to prevent founder. My vet warned he is the type (nesk crest) prone to founder.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Quote:
I have to disagree with this. Horses will do just fine by themselves. It wont bother him a bit to be alone.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I also have to agree that horses are herd animals. My family kept a horse for a year alone and had goats for company. Even though the goats kept my horse some company, you could still tell she was just off. When we finally got our second horse, she went back to her old self and began acting like a horse again.

I would definitely consider getting either goats or another horse to keep the first one company. I don't have much experience with minis, but I do know it will not be happy in a backyard all by itself!

Also, horses tend to turn an area into a mud pit in a matter of days. What their hooves don't destroy, their mouths will. This is the number one reason we decided NOT to fence in our front yard as we did not want it turn into mud. However, by rotating pastures, you can prevent this.

If your entire yard is wet, then that may cause problems with the horse's hooves. However, if there are areas that stay dry such as the top of a hill, then the horse will be able to hang out in those areas during the wet season. For example, our pasture is on a hill. There is a flat part at the bottom of the hill which is always muddy and a flat part at the top. Our horses tend to hang out more at the top of the hill where it is dry. This situation works pretty well, especially in really wet weather.

I don't know if this makes sense. I was a little distracted while writing it! My best advice before purcahsing something like a horse is research, research, research! horses are a lot of fun, but small mistakes can potentially lead to huge problems! Chances are you will inevitably make some mistakes, but researching will help you avoid so many others!

 

[Mesa]

Horses will get lonely if left all alone. A goat will be a better companion than no friend at all. Also they can ruin your lawn. Overgrazing and walking through your lawn with their hooves are just a few problems. If overeating is a problem you can buy one of those grazing muzzles. Just be sure to take it off when it isnt needed. How big is your yard? Even though these horses are small they still enjoy room to run and play.
I forgot to add make sure you can find a farrier that will trim a mini. I couldnt even pay a farrier enough money to trim my mini's for me.

 

[katrinag]

Horses are herd animals, they NEED a friend. It is best for there mental health. Like others have said minis tend to over eat. Founder faster. We have a dry lot to put our mini in the spring. I do no rotate him with my mare. They HATE the muzzle it becomes such a pain in the butt, a dry lot is best.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Im not saying horses arent Herd animals, I am just saying that a horse kept without another horse is going to be fine. Ive done it and seen it done MANY times, without any problems. They didnt seem to mind.