Australian Miniature Horses and Ponies

Updated 3rd July 2001

Frequently asked questions about Miniature Ponies

Please note that the following is derived from my experience. I recommend you seek verification of anything written here from other sources. There are many good horse books which will teach you what you want to know. Vets will also be able to give you relevant advice.

Costs
Costs of keeping miniature ponies vary depending on if you have enough grazing space for a pony or not.
Large back yards would be okay if:

Council permission is obtained.
Hay (a mix of grass hay and lucerne) is provided for the pony on a daily basis.
The pony is exercised, or has room to run.
Some sort of mineral suppliment is supplied.

If the pony has sufficient grass for year round grazing, the costs would be as follows:

Worming paste. One tube at around $20 would last for a full year. Change the type (active ingredient) used every tube, to prevent any resistance being developed.
Dentists. $50 per visit per horse. When young, a pony probably needs to be seen every six months to a year. As they get older, yearly is fine. A lot of people don't bother, but it is better to use one, as the pony's teeth get sharp and start to lacerate the pony's cheek.
Hoof trimming is needed every 2 to 3 months at approx $15 per pony, or you can buy the tools and do it yourself.
Immunization - check with a vet. A lot of people don't bother, but they really should be vaccinated against strangles and tetanus. A tetanus booster for yourself is also a good idea.
Equipment needed: Lead rope and head-stall, hoof pick, brushes etc. Maybe $100 all up. Probably a lot less.
Salt/mineral licks. under $10 each, and last around six months.
Possibly some alternative mineral supplement or feed suplement such as Compleato, Stock Gain or seaweed meal.
If there is not enough grass, lucern will cost around $10 a bale, with a bale per pony needed approx every two weeks.
My estimate for the cost of keeping a pony is $10 per week or less. I have had 10 ponies here at one time and they certainly do not cost me anywhere near that much, as I do what I can myself, and have a lot of grass.
My ponies are not given any particular exercise, though they have space enough to run if they wish.
Shelter
Some sort of shelter for the pony to give them shade in the heat of summer and somewhere to get out of the rain and wind in winter. They are much more likely to use a one or two sided shelter than a fully enclosed shed or stable.
A stable or shed is a good idea for if you need to lock them up for any reason, such as them being sick.

Grooming
Mostly they need grooming when they are going from winter coat to summer coat, as there is a lot of hair they need to lose. Generally keeping them neat and tangle free is enough. An occasional bath is okay, but not necessary. Occasionally they might need treatment for lice. These lice are NOT the same lice that affect people. In Autumn, they may need to have the eggs of bott fly removed. A $5 tool does that job. Your worming past should also contain a botticide to deal with the bott eggs they have swallowed.
Despite the above list seeming big, I find ponies are relatively low maintenance.

History
Australian Miniature Ponies have been a breed since the 70's, though miniature ponies have been around for many years.

Pets
For a pet, I would suggest a gelding or a mare. Also I would recommend finding one that has been raised as a pet from birth (which is how I raise mine).
What is the difference between a horse and a pony?
For large animals, generally a horse is over 14 hands (56 inches) high, and a pony is under 14 hands high, at the peak of the wither (above the shoulders).
For miniatures, there isn't a lot of differences, and many animals are registered as both horses and ponies. The height of a miniature pony is measured at the peak of the wither, while the height of a miniature horse is measured at the last hair of the mane, which is a lower point on the horse's back. Miniature horses tend to be a finer, leggier animal than the ponies, though this is not always the case. The main difference is in the show ring: miniature ponies are shown in their natural coat, and with their natural weight. Miniature horses are shown with clipped coats, and somewhat dieted.

Page design and maintenance by Ken Stone sasami@hotkey.net.au
While all care has been taken to insure information presented here is correct, it is given as a guide only.
Page design copyright 1996 by Ken Stone. Photos copyright 1996 by Yvonne Young and Ken Stone

Frequently asked questions about Miniature Ponies
Please note that the following is derived from my experience. I recommend you seek verification of anything written here from other sources. There are many good horse books which will teach you what you want to know. Vets will also be able to give you relevant advice. Costs Costs of keeping miniature ponies vary depending on if you have enough grazing space for a pony or not. Large back yards would be okay if: Council permission is obtained. Hay (a mix of grass hay and lucerne) is provided for the pony on a daily basis. The pony is exercised, or has room to run. Some sort of mineral suppliment is supplied. If the pony has sufficient grass for year round grazing, the costs would be as follows: Worming paste. One tube at around $20 would last for a full year. Change the type (active ingredient) used every tube, to prevent any resistance being developed. Dentists. $50 per visit per horse. When young, a pony probably needs to be seen every six months to a year. As they get older, yearly is fine. A lot of people don't bother, but it is better to use one, as the pony's teeth get sharp and start to lacerate the pony's cheek. Hoof trimming is needed every 2 to 3 months at approx $15 per pony, or you can buy the tools and do it yourself. Immunization - check with a vet. A lot of people don't bother, but they really should be vaccinated against strangles and tetanus. A tetanus booster for yourself is also a good idea. Equipment needed: Lead rope and head-stall, hoof pick, brushes etc. Maybe $100 all up. Probably a lot less. Salt/mineral licks. under $10 each, and last around six months. Possibly some alternative mineral supplement or feed suplement such as Compleato, Stock Gain or seaweed meal. If there is not enough grass, lucern will cost around $10 a bale, with a bale per pony needed approx every two weeks. My estimate for the cost of keeping a pony is $10 per week or less. I have had 10 ponies here at one time and they certainly do not cost me anywhere near that much, as I do what I can myself, and have a lot of grass. My ponies are not given any particular exercise, though they have space enough to run if they wish. Shelter Some sort of shelter for the pony to give them shade in the heat of summer and somewhere to get out of the rain and wind in winter. They are much more likely to use a one or two sided shelter than a fully enclosed shed or stable. A stable or shed is a good idea for if you need to lock them up for any reason, such as them being sick. Grooming Mostly they need grooming when they are going from winter coat to summer coat, as there is a lot of hair they need to lose. Generally keeping them neat and tangle free is enough. An occasional bath is okay, but not necessary. Occasionally they might need treatment for lice. These lice are NOT the same lice that affect people. In Autumn, they may need to have the eggs of bott fly removed. A $5 tool does that job. Your worming past should also contain a botticide to deal with the bott eggs they have swallowed. Despite the above list seeming big, I find ponies are relatively low maintenance. History Australian Miniature Ponies have been a breed since the 70's, though miniature ponies have been around for many years. Pets For a pet, I would suggest a gelding or a mare. Also I would recommend finding one that has been raised as a pet from birth (which is how I raise mine). What is the difference between a horse and a pony? For large animals, generally a horse is over 14 hands (56 inches) high, and a pony is under 14 hands high, at the peak of the wither (above the shoulders). For miniatures, there isn't a lot of differences, and many animals are registered as both horses and ponies. The height of a miniature pony is measured at the peak of the wither, while the height of a miniature horse is measured at the last hair of the mane, which is a lower point on the horse's back. Miniature horses tend to be a finer, leggier animal than the ponies, though this is not always the case. The main difference is in the show ring: miniature ponies are shown in their natural coat, and with their natural weight. Miniature horses are shown with clipped coats, and somewhat dieted.


Page design and maintenance by Ken Stone sasami@hotkey.net.au While all care has been taken to insure information presented here is correct, it is given as a guide only. Page design copyright 1996 by Ken Stone. Photos copyright 1996 by Yvonne Young and Ken Stone