Horse IQ

Welcome to Part 2 of my series on miniature horses. Minis are a tad different from regular horses. And today we’ll talk about dental issues, hoof care, and horse training. I hope you enjoy it.

Training

Miniature horses can be trained to be family pets, herders or guides for those with sight impairment (they are not suited for hearing impaired persons.) Horses must be extensively tested and accepted into the guide horse program. They must measure less than 26 inches tall at the wither, must be determined to have structurally sound legs, be in good general health, demonstrate stamina and must pass an intelligence exam.

Training miniature horses as house pets can be as easy as training a dog or pig (another notably intelligent animal.) They can be taught to use a large litter box, eat at the table, fetch items, sleep in their own quarters, open and close doors, among other tasks.

You can begin training miniature horses at any stage but the earlier in their life you begin, the easier it will be for both you and the horse. Occasional bathing and daily grooming teaches the horse trust, patience and is great for their overall health.

Hoof Care

Hoof care is of the utmost importance with miniature horses. Trim hooves early on in life and pick them out daily. Regular trimming will help balance and support proper bone growth. Optimally, the farrier you choose should be very experienced with miniatures.

Dental Care

As with other horses, miniatures need a dental check up early in life and routine check ups thereafter. Waiting until a dental problem has arisen can be very harmful to minis, as their teeth are smaller and more brittle than fill size horses.

Yours for Better Horse Care,

Sierra Lynch