Why This Blog Was Created
Miniature horses are a unique and fascinating breed, and although there are farms and individuals who own and care for them with great intention and understanding for their specific needs, a great majority of owners are first time horse owners who are not as informed or aware. As we prepared to become first time mini owners ourselves (we are however previous horse owners), and as a longtime avid equestrian and 4-H leader myself, I knew that we needed to better understand the specific needs of this breed, including diet, healthcare and any facility or fencing modifications we might need to make to our farm before bringing our first mini home. As I scoured the internet looking for recommendations and best practices, I never felt like I quite found the “how-to” or specific information I was looking for. I suppose this is because no two horses or experiences are exactly the same, and everyone’s situation and facility is going to be different. This then led me to want to document this first year with our minis so that we could personally have a better understanding of what it really takes to care for and manage a small herd of miniature horses. This blog is intended for friends, family and any avid equestrian or reader who would like to follow our journey through the first year of miniature horse ownership. We hope you enjoy our story and have fun learning more about these fun and personable horses!
How Our Journey Began
After growing up as an active equestrian and avid horse lover, and riding and showing throughout high school and college, I finally stepped into horse ownership as an adult. After boarding multiple horses at various facilities for several years, my husband and I decided to purchase our own farm in February of 2011 in rural Fluvanna County, VA. Here we kept anywhere from 2-6 horses and ponies on our property for some time. When our daughters were younger, they both rode and showed locally, and were active in 4-H. I too was active in 4-H, and was a leader with the Fluvanna Colts & Fillies 4-H Club. During this time I also had the pleasure of providing horseback riding instruction to several 4-H members on their personal horses, as well as giving lessons on our own wonderful school horses, Chance and Eddie. Horses came and went as our daughters outgrew ponies generously loaned to us by friends, and by June of 2020 we sadly lost our last personal horse, and thus found ourselves horseless for the first time in a long time. Given everything that was going on in the world amid COVID, we decided that it was time for us to take a break from horse ownership. Our oldest daughter was off to college, and our youngest had moved away from riding and had become a busy multisport athlete in high school. I myself had not personally ridden in years following a minor knee injury, and so it felt like the right time to close that chapter of our lives.
How We Got Back Into 4-H
In the summer of 2023, a longtime friend of mine reached out and asked if I would like to co-lead a 4-H equestrian club with her. She had recently moved to our county, and was looking to get more involved in our local community. 4-H clubs in general had taken a big hit since the start of COVID, and 4-H participation in our county had dwindled to a small handful of active members. I knew from my previous experience as a 4-H leader that this could become a time consuming endeavor, but I was excited at the thought of stepping back into the equestrian and 4-H world after a short hiatus. Together my friend and I enlivened the Colts & Fillies 4-H Club, and we found our efforts warmly welcomed by active enrollment in the club for the 2023-2024 project year (October 1 – September 30).
Rising Costs And Sticker Shock
I have always known that owning and caring for horses is expensive, but after having stepped away for a few short years, I was feeling a touch of sticker shock when I heard from our club members how expensive routine items and services had become. As our 4-H members filled in their Project Record Books, and as we began to see the total yearly expenses for their project animals emerge, I began to truly lament the fact that not everyone could necessarily afford a project animal, regular riding lessons, or the additional costs associated with horseshows and other equine needs. This all got me thinking and feeling like there must be another way to help make these equestrian opportunities more accessible and financially affordable for all…but what could that be???
The Mighty Mini
Who doesn’t smile and feel happy when they see a miniature horse? They are so cute and cuddly and can be hysterically funny at times. They might be mini, but their personalities are often mighty! They are also incredibly versatile, and when trained and handled properly, the possibilities are almost limitless. Sure, some activities require modification, but that is part of the beauty. With proper modification and appropriate assistance, just about anyone can find true joy in watching, petting or handling a miniature horse. Due to their smaller stature they are not as intimidating as a full size horse, they do not require as much space, nor do they eat as much as their larger equine counterparts. This all got me thinking…could I possibly help fill a niche by providing miniature horsemanship lessons on my farm? What could that look like? How would that work? Hmm…
An Idea Was Born
As I began to ponder what it might entail to own minis and potentially start a horsemanship program of my own, as well as how to broach these ideas with my husband, I started to think out loud and chat with a good friend and fellow equestrian about my budding interest in miniature horses. She had adopted two minis over the previous year herself, and had had wonderful success with gentling and handling them. In a few short months her minis had gone from almost untouchable when first adopted, to kind, trusting and inquisitive horses who seemed eager to engage and learn. Not to mention they were so darn cute! I was also aware that the miniature horse breed had been steadily gaining popularity and traction in the 4-H horse program over the past several years, and now had a division specifically devoted to them at the VA State 4-H Horse and Pony Show. Perhaps I was onto something. But would others in our community be interested in such a program???
A Leap Of Faith
After talking it over with my husband and with his dedicated support, I decided that I would try my hand at starting a miniature horsemanship program. I liked the thought of adoption and providing a loving home for an animal in need, and so I visited a local rescue to meet the many minis they had available. I knew I wanted more than one so that they would have a companion (horses are herd animals), but as I looked and visited with the minis, I found not one, not two, but four minis that I felt would be a promising fit for my future program. I went back a second time to make sure I still felt the same, and with the help of my good friend and use of her truck and trailer, I brought our first minis home to our farm on Halloween 2024. Unfortunately after a couple days, I did have to make the difficult decision to return one of the geldings due to challenges we were having within the herd dynamic. I am however happy to report that after his return, he was later readopted by a new family!
Settling In
Now that we have our first few minis on the farm, we are giving them time to settle in and become acquainted with their new life with us here at Care-A-Lot. Having come from a rescue, we do not know their backstory, but we do know that they are all kind and caring, and deserving of a wonderful life. We will be actively working with them throughout the winter months, and we are hopeful to begin our Mini & Me lesson program as early as this spring with our older and more seasoned mare, Sweetheart. Our two younger boys, Rockstar and Shenanigans, will begin their horsemanship training but will likely require a more advanced handler initially until they have more miles and are ready to graduate into the regular lesson program. These two young geldings would however make wonderful project animals for an older 4-H’er looking for a green project to bring along. We are excited to see the growth and development in all of our minis over this next year!
Future Blog Posts – Our Journey Through The Year
Follow us as we embark upon our first year in the life of miniature horse ownership. We plan to share updates on farm modifications and improvements (some were made before we brought our first mini home), navigating the winter weather, training progress and lesson program updates, as well as essential tips and tricks for maintaining the health and happiness of your miniature horse. Through our personal experiences coupled with insights from experienced miniature horse owners, veterinarians and farriers, learn how to create a nurturing home for your miniature horse that meets their breed specific needs. From understanding their dietary requirements to recognizing signs of common health issues, this guide is tailored for both seasoned owners and newcomers. We hope you enjoy following us as we embark upon our journey through the year!
