Tom Walt – Horses and Riders

How much will a miniature horse cost per year?

I’m trying to save up for a miniature horse. What I’m planning on doing is I know lots of 5 to 8 year olds and I would let them ride my pony and it would cost 10$ for a half an hour. So how much will a miniature horse cost per year? That includes vet, farrier, tack, grooming supplies, etc.

Minis can NOT be ridden by children! Minis can only carry (along with every other horse in the world) 10-15% of their body weight. A well built (‘built’ Minis are typically poor bred) will weight 300 lbs. which means at MAX he can hold 35 lbs. two years old weight more than that. Failure to obey the 10/15% rule WILL result in a hefty vet bill and most likely result in the animal being put down eventually for spinal cord injuries.

There IS an alternative but first you must asses your situation and experience with horses.

If you have no or very little experience with horses NEVER get one, no matter how ‘easy’ it may seem. You will get hurt, even with a mini, liability, insurance, etc. are still needed. It only takes the mini to kick out once and knock a kid in the head for you to loose everything you own.

If you are very experienced you should know the above and what legal needs required in your state.

The Alternative method to making money with minis, is driving. If you are very horse experienced, so take driving lessons and learn to drive a cart. Purchase a mini who knows how to drive already (never try and train a horse yourself unless you have been certified by ARIA and by another private Training Certification Place) You can give a quick lesson on driving to the kids and watch them drive in the ring.

As for costs:

Purchase of trained mini- $800-$3000
Vet Yearly- $300-$1500+ (depending on health)
Farrier- $500-$1000 (minis generally do not need shoes unless suggested by your farrier)
Cart and Tack for it- $500-$3000
Grooming supplies- $100-$150
Misc. Care Items- $100-500
Hay Cost monthly- $50-100
Grain cost monthly- $10-$25

There is another cost that doesn’t use money but your time and I see people say “Oh, I can do it,” all the time. Next month their horse is going on the meat wagon. Its the time. If you are keeping the mini on your property* that you can sacrifice your life to it. It will need its shelter and pasture cleaned twice a day. It will need to be fed at LEAST twice a day at 12 hours intervals (if feeding only twice) Which means you MUST feed the horse at similar times. If you work, look at your schedule. if you have a nine to five and you get up at eight. Get up at seven now to feed and clean before work. You MUST come home from work to feed the animal and clean again. Social life always suffers. If you are a social person and like to go out, horse care is not for you.

*Your property must be Zoned A-1 (Or other Zone A categories) in order to legally keep livestock. Failure to abide by this law will result in the town seizing your animal and leaving you with a hefty fine. Also consider your neighbors. Even if you are zoned A-1, are your neighbors close? Will they be angered by the smell? Believe me, if neighbors complain tot he town enough, they can make you get rid of your animal. Especially if the property is not set up according to WA law for keeping livestock.

This is a huge undertaking and believe me, the occasional $10 a ride/drive deal isn’t worth it. That $10 is coming from the parents who aren’t going to spit out that money willingly in this economy. Most people who do this or similar things wind up in debt or sued. It is simply not worth it, even though you may have the best of intentions.

How to make a Mini Feed or Tack Room for Breyer Horses

Hook Over Pail For Goats And Miniature Horses [Misc.] [Misc.] [Misc.] [Misc.] $6.60 The New Hook Over Feed Pail Is Ideal For Goats, Sheep, Miniature Horses and Many Other Animals. Its Dual-Purpose Molded Bracket Functions as Both A Hanging Bracket Or Carrying Handle. The Bracket Fits Easily Onto Any 2 By Board. The pail is made in the USA. It is made with plastic and blue in color….

Breyer Horse Play Set $9.20 Every day is a better day with Stablemates horses as playmates. This bay Appaloosa horse and palomino foal are enjoying a playful romp in their pasture. They have a fenced pasture, a tree for shade and a water trough so they don’t get thirsty. All they need is you to play with them!…

Saddle Club Mini Whinnies 3- Horse Set $0.75 Saddle Club Mini Whinnies 3- Horse Set…

Tough-1 Miniature Nylon Halter $8.30 A fully adjustable halter designed for your miniature horse. Made of 3/4″ webbing, slide buckle at crown and throat….

Tough-1 Miniature Horse Training Side Reins $17.30 Tough-1 Miniature Horse Training Side Reins Made of poly/nylon web with sewn on dee rings for quick and easy adjustment allowing use of different rein positions. Attaches around the girth looping through bit rings and reattaches at pommel or girth. Elastic ends with reinforced snap ends. Color: Brown….

Nylon Grazing Muzzle $43.89 Adjustable nylon grazing muzzle with throat snap and quick grip crown strap….