Miniature horses are a great addition to your home or hobby farm.It is easy for them to get out of shape.They can quickly become overweight because they are so small.You can keep your horse fit by exercising it, groundwork, and driving a small cart.It is important to feed it correctly so it doesn't eat too much.
Step 1: Walk your horse for 30 minutes a day.
Your horse can be brought to your yard, pen, or pasture.Stand beside your horse.Give your walk command when you start walking.The horse should be directed to trace the perimeter of the yard, pen or pasture as you walk.It's easy to make a "smooching" sound with your walk command.If you have a hill near your stable, walk the horse up and down it to increase the intensity of the workout.You can start your horse's workout by walking 5 laps around the pasture.
Step 2: Once walking laps becomes easy, trot your horse.
Give your horse a command to trot by jogging and clicking your tongue.Encourage your horse to pick up speed by touching its hindquarters.Praise your horse for keeping trotting.For the horse's 30-minute workout, alternate between trotting and walking.You can lightly tug on the horse's line.Wait until your horse is able to complete its walking workout without a lot of effort.
Step 3: Children weighing less than 50 lbs can ride your mini horse.
Put the child on the horse's back.You can use your line to guide the horse.Stay on the horse's side.The child and horse should not be left unattended.Only very small children should ride miniature horses because they can't carry more than 23 lbs on their back.To verify the weight limits for your mini horse, talk to your vet.
Step 4: As you exercise your horse, watch for signs of overwork.
The horse can become ill if you work it too hard.Blowing a lot of air out of its nose, being listless after a workout, and having a dry coat are some of the signs your horse is tired.
Step 5: When you do, teach your horse to stop.
Stand at your horse's side and hold its line in your hand.Give your horse a walk command when you begin walking forward.Make sure your horse is following suit by stopping walking.Step in front of it, hold up your hand, and say "Giddy up!" if it continues forward.If your horse isn't walking with you, gently tug on its line.
Step 6: Longe your horse using a 30 to 40 ft line.
Attach the longe line to the lowest halter ring on the front of the horse.Pull your horse to the left by creating some slack in the line.To get your horse's attention, hold up your right hand and wave it around.When your horse moves to the left, switch hands and repeat for the right side.If waving doesn't get your horse to move, you can make a sound with your body, which will get the horse's attention.You can snap a whip in the air.Don't hit your horse.
Step 7: If you want to stop your horse, place a long lunge whip in front of it and give a command.
You have control if you keep your horse's line in your hand.Slowly reel in your horse until it is facing your direction.Step in front of the horse if it turns to the side after you give the stop command.Continue to give the command until the horse stops walking, if you hold your hand out in front of him.
Step 8: The longe line is used to walk your horse.
Stand at the side of your horse.You should turn your shoulders toward the direction you want the horse to walk.Your horse will follow your command if you wave your hand.Give your command.Your lunge whip can be used to help guide your horse in the right direction.It can help keep your horse away from you.If you don't need to whip it, just raise it in the air to encourage your horse to move.The horse should walk in the direction you told it to.Step out in front of the horse if it doesn't happen.Try again.Hold onto your horse's longe line as it walks.If you need to get your horse's attention or encourage it to go in a certain direction, you can lightly pull on the line.
Step 9: You can change directions by showing the horse you want it to walk.
If you step in front of your horse, it will stop.If you want your horse to go in a certain direction, tilt your shoulder.To get the horse's attention, wave your hand.Give your command.Try again if the horse goes in the wrong direction.
Step 10: Walk and stop your horse from the ground.
Attach the horse's reins to either side of its halter, and hold both reins in one hand.Give the walk command if you move to the side of your horse.Pull on the reins as you would on a horse to stop the horse.Your horse will respond easily to the commands if you repeat this action.If you want to attach a cart, you need to repeat this training for several days.
Step 11: The horse must turn with a tug on its reins.
Attach the reins only on one side to make it easier to maneuver.While standing beside your horse, gently tug on the rein to get the horse to follow it.It should turn towards you.If it does, unhook the reins.You can switch sides and repeat the steps on the other side.When you apply pressure to the rein on the other side, the horse will turn its nose.You can get your horse to turn the cart by pulling on the reins.
Step 12: You can get your horse used to wearing a harness by walking it.
Buckle the harness on your horse.Attach the bridle to the harness when you put the horse onto it.The reins need to be connected to the bridle.The straps should be secure but not tight.Give your horse the walk command when the harness is on.The reins can be used to turn the horse.As you walk your horse, hold the straps that attach to a load or let them drag behind you.The harness helps your horse get used to it.The best harness you can get.Don't get one made out of nylon if you can.Pick a leather harness.Your horse is ready to start pulling when it is used to the halter.
Step 13: Attach heavy ropes to the harness to get your horse used to pulling.
Allow the rope to rest on the ground behind the horse if you tie it onto either side of the harness.The extra weight of the rope will be pulled by the horse as it walks.The rope will mimic the drag of a cart.The rope can be used to pull a cart.The horse gradually gets used to the added weight and drag.
Step 14: Attach your mini horse to a small cart.
Pick a cart that is made for miniature horses or ponies.The halter straps should be on either side of the cart.The horse is ready to drive.Before attaching your horse to a cart, it is best to check with your equine vet or horse trainer.They can make sure your horse is able to pull a cart.
Step 15: The horse will haul items if you ride in the cart or walk beside it.
As your horse pulls the cart, use the reins.The horse needs to work to make sure it isn't being tired.The reins should be held behind the horse if you are riding in the cart.Walk beside the horse and hold the reins to the side if you are using it to haul items.
Step 16: Make sure your horse pulls no more than 3 times its weight.
To estimate its weight, use weight tape or a scale.If you want your horse to carry heavier loads, start pulling lower weights.Your vet can give you advice on how much weight your horse can pull.The weight of the cart should be added to the load the horse is pulling.
Step 17: If you can, give your horse half of its diet in a pasture.
Your horse will enjoy eating in the pasture, and it will get a bit of a workout while it eats.Allow your horse to eat as you walk it, or turn it out in the pasture.If your horse starts to get too fat, you can use a muzzle to keep it from eating.In the early spring, minimize your horse's access to the pasture.The fresh growth can cause laminitis in your horse and make them overweight.
Step 18: For 50% of your horse's diet, give it 1-2% of its weight in hay.
You can choose green grass or mixed hay.Fresh hay is better than dry hay.The hay should be put in a bucket or feeding trough.If you put your horse's hay on the ground, it will end up eating dirt or sand, which can cause colic.You can use weight tape to estimate your horse's weight.If you are having difficulty estimating its weight, ask your vet.The horse should be weighed on a scale.A mini horse with an average weight of 200 pounds should be able to eat 2 to 4 pounds of roughage each day.
Step 19: Grain mix is a good way to add weight and energy to your horse.
Pick a grain mix that is labeled for use with miniature horses or its weight range.Divide your horse into two feedings by giving it 1 pound of grain a day.Measure the grain mix out by volume.You should check the label on your grain supplement to make sure you are feeding your horse the correct amount.The recommended amount can be different.Your horse can be overweight if you give it too much grain mix.Eating too much grain mix can make your horse gassy.
Step 20: There is a salt block near the horse's water.
Attach it to the wall of the horse's stable if it has one.A salt supplement replenishes your horse's electrolytes, as well as getting the horse to drink enough water.Salt blocks can be found at a local feed store or online.
Step 21: Give your horse at least 15 gallons of water a day.
Give your horse water in buckets or troughs.Make sure the water is always fresh by replacing it at least twice a day.Make sure the horse is drinking water when you give it.It needs at least 10 to 15 gallons of water a day.If the water bucket still has water in it, refill it.Provide at least 2 in your horse's stable or pen if you're using buckets.If you replace your horse's water, always empty out the old water.Before you refill the water bucket, rinse it out.