The cuteness overload of miniature horses, mini miniatures, donkeys, mini donkeys and ponies photos, floods social media platforms for good reason. The smaller equus is extremely popular.
Little Mariah, a miniature horse.
The cuteness overload of miniature horses, mini miniatures, donkeys, mini donkeys and ponies photos, floods social media platforms for good reason.
© 2009 by Pete Markham
Caring for these canny critters can be more complicated than it at first appears. Their digestive and immune systems may require special attention. It is very easy to overfeed a mini and grazing may need to be minimized by using muzzles or limiting grazing time. Minis are very efficient at utilizing small amounts of calories.
For breeders keen attention is required during foaling out as miniature horses may require more assistance than their larger horse counterparts and cesarean section is not uncommon. This is due in part to the discrepancy in the mare’s pelvic size and the size of the fetal head.
So while these wee beasties can thrive with a simple set up such as a small pasture, run-in shed and supply of fresh water, grass and/or hay, there are times when a horse barn would provide a mini horse haven for both equus and their human caregivers.
Just because your horse size is a scaled down version doesn’t mean you have to scale down on the quality of the abode that you provide.
A well designed structure that accommodates the miniature equus special needs not only provides a welcome reprieve for the animals from the hot sun and harsh winter wind, it can also offer a room with a view and a place to recover from illness, receive a dietary break from grass overload and give the horse owner a place to prepare their herd members for sale or show.
The structure to house any type of mini equus, should offer just the same snow load protection, quality craftsmanship and maintenance free siding options as its larger equine cousins enjoy.
When you ‘burrow’ into the matter of miniature horse care you may be surprised at how affordable and how available a quality horse barn can be for your herd. The modular horse barn is the perfect option. Not only can it be customized with stall sizes, door and window heights, the modular barn also offers the horse owner the additional benefit of mobility.
The building can be moved as needed, even to a completely new property if required. Many horse rescue groups take advantage of this flexibility, as their needs change over time.
Unfortunately, the same cuteness that has us tagging photos of donkey and miniature horses with ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ on social media also impacts these little creatures’ lives as it makes them extremely popular with neophyte horse owners who sometimes discover that ownership of any equus comes with sincere responsibility and give up on their newly acquired pet.
So while adding a calf hutch or two to the paddock might be used as a shelter for mare and foals or herds of miniatures, the need for a proper horse barn exists that is tailored to the needs of these breeds. Predation by coyotes, mountain lions, fisher cats and even terrorization by neighborhood dogs, are all factors to consider for the safety of your miniature horse.
If you run a miniature sales operation you can guarantee that the adorable vision of a line of tiny horse heads over appropriately sized stall doors will have your prospective purchasers ‘foaming at the bit’ to buy. For rescues, an agri-tourism visit that captures this endearing equus delight can raise much needed funding.
In any event, every little critter deserves to see the light!
This article is brought to you courtesy of Horizon Structures Inc., Atglen PA – Modular horse barn and indoor riding arena specialists. Horizon Structures also offers both residential and commercial kennels, coops, multi-use structures and playsets. Please visit https://www.HorizonStructures.com to learn more.
About Horizon Structures: One horse or twenty, there's one thing all horse owners have in common...the need to provide safe and secure shelter for their equine partners. At Horizon Structures, we combine expert craftsmanship, top-of-the-line materials and smart "horse-friendly" design to create a full line of sheds and barns that any horse owner can feel confident is the right choice for their horses' stabling needs.
All wood. Amish Made. Most of our buildings are shipped 100% pre-built and ready for same-day use. Larger barns are a modular construction and can be ready for your horses in less than a week. All our barn packages include everything you need -
Horizon Structures also sells indoor riding arenas, chicken coops, dog kennels, 1 and 2 car garages, storage sheds and outdoor living structures.
Headquartered in South-Central Pennsylvania, Horizon Structures, LLC is owned by Dave Zook. Dave was raised in the Amish tradition and grew up working in the family-owned shed business. He started Horizon Structures in 2001 in response to an ever-increasing customer demand for high quality, affordable horse barns.
For additional information about the company or their product line, please visit their website at https://www.horizonstructures.com
By Nikki Alvin-Smith
About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International and national published freelance writer and photographer in such world renowned publications such as The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse and Hound, Dressage and CT, Warmbloods Today, The Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar, Reiter, The Equine Journal, Spur, Hoofprints, Horsin’ Around, Horses All, Field & Stream, Western Horse and Gun, Pony Quarterly, Horses All Canada, Catskill Horse to name a few. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing copy either direct with manufacturer or for agencies, copy editing and editor services also available. Nikki also produces catalog copy, white papers, e-books, corporate brochures and advertising copy for international corporations and PR/Marketing for celebrities.
As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 34 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international Grand Prix level to scores over 72% and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Baroque breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run Willowview Hill Farm, a private dressage breeding operation and training yard in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York.