We have two minis in residence, a small and a medium- large, that each share accommodations–a large stall with outdoor sandlot run-- with two horses, and get turned out at night on a lot of grass with the horses, in post and rail fenced paddocks with electric tape divisions for rotational grazing. They stay in the fences. The minis both wear muzzles, with inserts added for even more restrictive grazing. When not on grass they each get their own small tub of hay inside a small mesh hay net. Their horse partner gets his in a small mesh net inside a rubbermaid trough; the horse does not usually share too much with his mini friend. They can eat hay with muzzles on, but ours have them off during the day. It is advisable to feed hay that is tested for low (under 10%) ESC + starch, but that is healthier for the horses too. The larger mini, which is mine, has Cushings and insulin resistance, and had a bout of laminitis this spring. She is now tolerating grass with a restrictive insert in her muzzle which makes her work very hard for each morsel. Her owner has gotten more conscientious about exercising her–driving, ponying, longeing–most days, which, as with metabolic humans, is the key to managing insulin resistance. Bottom line–as with horses of any size, it’s all about problem solving. You may not have the time or interest in solving these problems; being retired, I usually do. On the other hand, you may fall in love with the adorable athletic responsive little horse, enjoy seeing all the horsey behaviors in miniature form, and beam when out driving her or ponying her and people stop you to take her picture. The tiny manure piles are another plus.
