RJR Miniatures
Miniature Horses, Donkeys & Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Things to know before you buy!
Miniature Horses are a hardy breed of horse, but they are horses and they still require specific care - which you will need to consider BEFORE falling in love and buying that first mini!
What is involved with owning a mini?
Minis are adorable, cute, sweet and affectionate, but they are horses--NOT dogs. Don't misjudge them based on their size! They are strong little creatures and can become willfully stubborn if overly spoiled and not properly taught to respect you as the herd leader!
Minis are herd animals as all horses are. SO they do best when they have company, preferrably another mini, but a goat, or donkey will do in a pinch. You do not want to leave your mini alone where he/she will become lonely and bored.
Expenses:
It can easily cost $200-$500 a year OR more to maintain your mini!
A few ongoing expenses:
*Annual vaccinations -$12-$50+(Eastern, Western &Venezuelan Encephalomyelitis, Tetnus, Rhino, Rabies) not including vet visit, exam, etc. West Nile Virus can run $45 or more per year.
*Farrier(every 2 months, your mini needs its hooves trimmed) $10-$25 each
*Worming(every 2 months or a daily wormer)
*Feed-grazing, hay, alfalfa, grain, salt, supplements. (Hay can range from $2-$12 a bale.)
*Horse's Wardrobe (Halter, lead rope, blankets, etc.)
*Hygiene(Brushed, hoof pick, shampoo, towels, clippers, etc.)
*Fly control (Fly spray, traps, manure disposal, fly mask, etc.)
*Housing-- Barn, loafing shed, sturdy fences.
*Horse trailer & something to pull it!
*Vet visits-- prices can range from barn visits to clinic visits.
Those are some basic costs of owning a mini. Most are ongoing expenses throughout the life of your mini. So consider carefully before buying-the purchase is usually the cheapest part about owning a mini!
Minis require about 1/3 of an acre of space. They also need some sort of cover- a three sided shed so they can get out of the elements will work.
Secure fencing to protect your mini from dogs, and other predators.
Fresh water needs to be available 24/7.
**A consideration- If you live in city limits it is a good idea to check your zoning on keeping a miniature. KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY!
Bute in Miniatures
By "Dr. Pam" - Pam Ripperda D.V.M.
Bute is incredibly toxic to minis, and for some reason a lot of vets out there don't realize this. Not only is there a very narrow safety margin, i.e. you have to be very accurate at dosing them, but there are minis who will have problems even at the correct dose. It should be given at 1mg per pound body weight, which means most minis will get 150 mg to 250 mg--1/4 tablet or less. A lot of vets seem to think the average mini weighs 500 pounds and have owners give 1/2 tablet twice daily. ARGGGG!!!
Bute toxicity can cause severe gastric and intestinal ulceration, to the point of perforation and death (in as little as 5-7 days), kidney and liver damage, bone marrow suppression, and lowered blood protein levels.
That said, I have used bute on selected minis for laminities, but at a low dose and for short periods of time. For almost everything else I use Banamine (which can also cause problems if dosed too high or too long, but has a wider safety margin)
From Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook:
QUOTE
Adverse effects: Horses: oral and GI erosions and ulcers, hypoalbuminemia, diarrhea, anorexia, and renal (KIDNEY) effects.
QUOTE
Cautious use in both foals and ponies is recommended because of increased incidences of hypoproteinemia (LOW BLOOD PROTEIN LEVELS)and GI ulceration. Foals with a heavy parasite burden or that are undernourished may be more susceptible to development of adverse effects.
Phenylbutazone may cause decreased renal blood flow and sodium and water retention, and should be used cautiously in animals with preexisting renal disease or CHF (CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE).
QUOTE
The primary concerns with phenylbutazone therapy in humans include its bone marrow effects (agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia), renal and cardiovascular effects (fluid retention to acute renal failure), and GI effects (perforated ulcers). Other serious concerns with phenylbutazone include, hypersensitivity reactions, neurologic, dermatologic (SKIN), and hepatic toxicities.
While phenylbutazone is apparently a safer drug to use in horses and dogs than in people, serious adverse reactions can still occur. Toxic effects that have been reported in horses include oral and GI erosions and ulcers, hypoalbuminemia (LOW BLOOD PROTEIN LEVELS), diarrhea, anorexia (LOSS OF APPETITE), and renal effects (azotemia (HIGH LEVELS OF UREA/AMMONIA IN THE BLOOD)). Unlike humans, it does not appear that phenylbutazone causes much sodium and water retention in horses at usual doses, but edema has been reported. In dogs however, phenylbutazone may cause sodium and water retention, and diminished renal blood flow.
QUOTE
...acute overdosage with phenylbutazone include, a prompt respiratory or metabolic acidosis with compensatory hyperventilation, seizures, coma, and acute hypotensive crisis. In an acute overdose, symptoms of renal failure (oliguric, with proteinuria and hematuria), liver injury (hepatomegaly and jaundice), bone marrow depression, and ulceration (and perforation) of the GI tract may develop.
Height Chart
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Other ways to measure
CANON BONE HEIGHT ESTIMATION FORMULA
Add 2 inches
