Miniature Horse & Pony

Colic

SignsLooking at the belly, pawing, repeatedly lying down, sweating, no appetite, no manure, bloated belly

PreventionNo sudden feed changes. Avoid feeding on sandy ground. Always provide fresh water and forage

Laminitis

SignsStands with front legs stretched forward, reluctant to walk, hot hooves, strong digital pulse

PreventionNever allow overeating of fresh grass or grain. Start spring grazing with short sessions. Weight control and regular hoof trimming

Obesity / metabolic syndrome

SignsFat crest along the base of the mane, hard neck, sagging belly, recurrent laminitis

PreventionCheck body condition score monthly. Hay as the main diet; no concentrates as a rule

Dental problems

SignsDropping feed, spitting out wads of chewed grass, bad breath, chewing on one side, weight loss

PreventionVet dental exam and floating (rasping) once a year. Every six months for seniors

Tetanus

SignsJaw will not open, whole body stiff, third eyelid protruding, oversensitive to sound and light, stiff gait

PreventionRegular toxoid vaccination. Always clean any wound and see the vet

Japanese encephalitis

SignsFever in summer to fall, lethargy, staggering, circling, reduced consciousness, seizures

PreventionVaccinate before mosquito season. Reduce breeding sites and stable the horse in the evening

Injuries from kicks or charges

PreventionNever stand directly behind. Speak before touching. Space out feeding when there are several horses

First aidHuman injuries come first. Put the horse in its stall, press a clean cloth on any bleeding and see the vet

Leg lacerations and puncture wounds

PreventionRegularly remove nails, wire and glass from the paddock. Use wood or electric fencing; avoid barbed wire

First aidRinse under running water and press with a clean cloth. Deep wounds or wounds near a joint risk tetanus; see the vet the same day

Hoof problems / stepping on a nail

PreventionTrim every 6–8 weeks. Pick out the hooves daily and check for foreign objects

First aidDo not pull out the object; note its position, bandage the hoof and call the vet

Falls at fences or ditches

PreventionFill holes and ditches in the paddock. Put non-slip surfacing on wet concrete

First aidDo not force it to stand. If it cannot get up or will not bear weight on a leg, call the vet immediately

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

RouteSkin contact, sharing brushes or tack

PreventionWash hands after handling. If hair loss or dandruff appears, disinfect equipment and see the vet

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched manure

PreventionWash hands after stable work, keep separate work boots, always wash hands before eating

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with urine or contaminated water; enters through wounds

PreventionControl rats, wear gloves, do not let the horse drink from puddles

Tetanus (soil-borne)

RouteWounds contaminated with stable soil or manure (not directly from the horse)

PreventionPeople need a tetanus booster every 10 years. Wash wounds and see a doctor

Food

• Good-quality hay as the staple: 1.5–2% of body weight per day, split into several feeds, available at all times
• Concentrates are generally unnecessary. If given, small amounts under vet direction
• Provide a mineral salt lick for free access

Water

• 10–20 L or more per day. Always fresh water in an automatic waterer or bucket
• Prevent freezing in winter; in summer, change daily before algae or mosquito larvae appear

Toys & play

• A slow feeder for hay extends grazing time
• A hanging ball or a lick block reduces boredom
• Turnout with another of its kind is the best stimulation

Nest, bed & hideout

• A roofed shelter or stall that keeps off wind and rain
• Ideally a three-sided open shelter the horse can enter and leave freely

Bedding & litter

• Sawdust, straw or pellet bedding at least 10 cm deep
• Remove manure and urine daily; change everything once a week
• Damp bedding causes hoof disease; always keep it dry

Cage / housing material

Wooden or steel stall. Round off corners; no protruding nails or edges

Size & space

Stall at least 3 m x 3 m. Paddock at least 500 square meters per horse

Layout

• Keep the water trough and feed trough apart, fixed at a height that cannot be kicked over
• Fencing at least 1.2 m high; electric or wooden fencing, never barbed wire
• Non-slip, well-drained floor, sloped so manure and urine do not pool

Placement notes

• Address noise and odor for neighbors and consult the municipal office in advance
• Follow the Standards of Rearing Hygiene Management and control access by outsiders

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• At least 2 hours of turnout or hand-walking daily. Keeping it only in a small stall is not acceptable
• For hand-walking, avoid hard pavement and choose routes where cars and dogs will not startle it
• Start spring grazing on fresh grass at 15 minutes a day and extend over two weeks

Temperature & humidity

Temperature5–25°C is comfortable. Tolerates cold, sensitive to heat

Humidity50–70%. High humidity invites hoof and skin disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade and ventilation, a fan, mosquito control, more water
• Winter: block the wind, do not clip the winter coat, keep water from freezing

Nail trimming

Farrier trim every 6–8 weeks. Pick out the hooves daily with a hoof pick to remove stones and debris

Brushing, skin & coat care

Brush off mud and loose hair daily with a body brush and check the skin for wounds and ticks

Other care

Annual dental exam. Wipe eye and nasal discharge with a clean cloth. Check for fat buildup along the mane

Protection from predators

• Stray or loose dogs chase horses, causing falls or miscarriage; reinforce fencing
• Mosquitoes, horseflies and stable flies spread Japanese encephalitis and cause dermatitis; use insect netting and repellent
• Crows and rats raiding feed bring in pathogens; store feed in sealed containers

Foreign-body ingestion

Eating plastic, rope or sand along with hay causes intestinal blockage. Remove litter from the paddock and never put hay directly on the ground

Being stepped on

A hoof on a human foot breaks bones. Wear safety boots and keep children away from the horse's feet. When lifting a leg, keep your body close against the horse

Getting pinched

A head or leg caught in fence or stall bars breaks bones. Make gaps under 7 cm or over 25 cm, and never leave rope loops lying around

Falls

Horses break bones falling while loading onto trucks or in ditches. Put non-slip surfacing on ramps and load with at least two people

Escape

A horse that gets out onto the road causes traffic accidents. Check fences and gates daily; if it escapes, do not chase it, lure it with feed, and call the police and municipal office

Safe release procedure

1. Speak in a calm, low voice and move your body toward the horse's shoulder
2. Push the muzzle upward or pull the halter to turn its head away
3. Offer feed or hay at the muzzle to distract it
4. Once released, move away from the horse at once and have someone else put it in its stall

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for at least 5 minutes and apply pressure. See a doctor the same day if there is swelling, pain or skin discoloration; get tetanus protection too

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Time of onset, last manure and last feed, any feed change, temperature, pulse and gum color, vaccination history, number of people available to restrain

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Normal values: temperature 37.5–38.5°C, pulse 28–44 per minute, breathing 8–16 per minute
• Take the pulse at the facial artery on the inside of the lower jaw. Press the gums: color should return within 2 seconds
• Hold a hand at the nostrils to check breathing. Touch the eye; no blink means unconscious

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with a clean towel; if blood soaks through, add more on top without removing it
• Bandage legs firmly. Do not use a tourniquet without the vet's instruction
• For arterial bleeding, keep pressing, call the vet and do not move the horse

Transport

• If it can walk, lead it. If it cannot stand, request a vet farm call
• Truck transport needs at least two people, non-slip flooring, a blanket for warmth and a narrow partition to brace the horse