I hear this from many miniature horse people. Horses were meant to eat all day. If they aren't eating then their digestive system is not working properly and that's also when they decide to eat what's available-example stall walls, shavings, etc. I have had big horses and minis. They have always been turned out for at least 12 hours a day and had hay in theirs stalls as well as feed twice a day. Now before the hay would run out depending on how fast they ate it but now they nibble at it throughout the day. It's getting to the point where I don't need grain as my vet says that if they don't do more than 4 hours hard work a week then they don't need the grain. My minis are now down to half a cup of grain in the AM and the same in the PM. They go out all night and have hay in their stalls in the daytime. It's me who has to deal with feeling bad once I cut them off the feed completely and add a free choice mineral. They could do just fine without.
So, why the dry lots?
I see more sicknesses and minis and think it has to be that they are not allowed to be normal horses.
It makes no sense.
Amanda
So, why the dry lots?
I see more sicknesses and minis and think it has to be that they are not allowed to be normal horses.
It makes no sense.

Amanda