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If you are curious about miniature horses and wondering if a miniature horse would make a good pet, let me introduce you to Cedar, my miniature horse.
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Miniature horses are just smaller versions of large horses, and they need to be treated and trained in the same way.
If you plan on owning a miniature horse as a pet, don’t assume their small size means less upkeep.
Miniature horses need regular handling, and they have the same fight or flight response as a regular-sized horse.
Cedar is our pet/family.
We don’t show her, and she doesn’t leave the hobby farm.
Her only purpose on the hobby farm is to be our pet/family/companion.
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Like all animals, Cedar can get bored, and we need to spend time with her to keep her happy and trusting of humans.
In this post, I'll share some cost in owning a miniature horse, activities you can do with them when they're just a pet and I'll share the story of how I enquired Cedar because it's a good one.
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I may be biased, but I have a pretty cute miniature horse, and her name is Cedar.
Cedar actually came into my life twice, and can you believe I passed on her the first time I inquired about her?
I found her ad on Craigslist, and after messaging the owner, he told me she had very little training, was hard to catch, and was cautious around people.
I had the feeling I was not experienced enough to handle her, and I had to pass.
Then six months later, I put my own WANTED AD on Craigslist looking for a companion for Mixie, my miniature Shetland pony.
To my surprise, I got a response from Cedar's owner, who did not know that I was the person who inquired about Cedar six months earlier.
He had attached Cedars’s photo to the email he sent me in response to my wanted ad, and that’s how I knew it was her.
This is the actual photo.
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Of course, I felt like I should at least meet her.
After all, she still didn’t have a new home yet, and this was the second time this little miniature horse was crossing my path. Was it meant to be?
THE DAY WE MET
We pulled up to a small farm with a handful of miniature horses.
It turned out that Cedar’s original owner had purchased her in a package deal with her sibling, who they wanted for showing purposes.
They had tried to breed Cedar, but she went into premature labor, losing the foal, and never became pregnant after that.
They had no real purpose for Cedar, and that’s why she didn’t get handled much over the years.
She was cautious the day we met, but overall, she seemed curious, and to make a long story short, Cedar was delivered to my hobby farm a few days later for $100, and that included her delivery fee.
HAVING CEDAR HOME
She received the knick name Wild Bush Baby because she wanted to trust us, but she just didn’t know how.
To settle her, I started by just being in her presence so she could get used to me being around.
Eventually, I moved on with brushing and grooming, and I would let her walk away and come back on her own.
After that, we moved on to hoof care, daily walks, and little games with pool noodles and the pool.
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She was and still is very treat motivated.
Now, Cedar is my favorite pet to take walks and adventure with.
She really enjoys our quality time together and is a great herd mate to her pony companions Mixie, and Shiloh.
She enjoys watching the chickens and commotion around the yard but can still be cautious around strangers, even though she’s been with us since December 2017.
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NOW, DO MINIATURE HORSES MAKE GOOD PETS?
WALKS
Cedar loves to take walks around the hobby farm.
We have wooded trails made in our backyard that all the ponies use for exercise, and spending time on trial walks is something Cedar really enjoys.
GROOMING
Grooming with Cedar has not always been an easy task.
But these days, she’s pretty chill with grooming, has a few favorite spots for you to scratch, and occasionally closes her eyes for a nap while you’re brushing her.
Grooming is a must do activity to keep your mini happy and healthy,
DRESS-UP
Ok, this one may seem silly, but I think dress-up is a great activity for miniature horses.
It teaches them not to be fearful by allowing different textures and noises from materials to touch their bodies.
In the pony barn I have a pink shelving unit where we store plastic-covered totes containing colorful hairbows, crowns, and tutus.
Most of our dress-up days happen on the birthdays and holidays, but when Cedar sees a tutu, she knows it’s dress-up and TREAT time.
POOL PLAY
Every summer, especially on hot days, we have a few pool parties.
Cedar has learned the command “SPLASH” and when she splashes the water with her hooves, she will get a treat.
UST HANG OUT
Sometimes the best times are just going out to the barn, taking a seat, and watching what’s happening in the pasture.
Bring a book, bring a drawing pad, or just take the moment to relax. Be a part of the herd.
COST OF OWNING A MINIATURE HORSE
If you’re thinking you would like a miniature horse because it will cost less than a regular-sized horse, that is probably not the reason to own one, and not always true.
Like all animals, especially equine, the cost really depends on the animal and your purpose for them.
In general, though, if you’re wondering if a miniature horse will cost you less than a full-sized horse, here are a few things to consider.
FARRIER CARE
Miniatures will need regular farrier visits every 4-8 weeks, just like a full-sized horse, and you will pay the same price.
FEED
Your biggest money saver in owning a miniature horse versus a full-sized horse is on hay and feed, BUT you do have to consider most miniatures and even ponies will need hay all year long because most can’t handle being turned out to lush green pasture.
With out three equine, 2 ponies, and Cedar, we go through around 200, 35-pound hay bales per year.
They are picky and will waste a bit of the hay.
We also feed a metabolic mineral pellet feed which is served each morning and evening.
WILL A MINIATURE HORSE MAKE A GOOD PET?
Just like full-sized horses, miniature horses are herd animals, and you should never have just one.
They also require some diet management so that they don’t become overweight.
But the question is, do they make good pets?
Well, if you have the proper space, finances for more than one, patience, and time to spend with them, then YES, they make GREAT pets.
Miniature horses are really smart and learn quickly.
We really enjoy having Cedar on our hobby farm, and she is an awesome little companion.
I am so happy my miniature horse Cedar found a forever home here.
What would I do without my wild little bush baby?
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XOXO
Emily
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