Feeding Management Considerations for Miniature Horses

Lifestyle	Category	Body Weight (lbs)	Hay (lbs/day)	Triple Crown Lite (lbs/day when fed with hay)	Triple Crown 30% Supplement (lbs/day when fed with hay)	Legends Grow & Perform (lbs/day when fed with hay)
Pleasure	Maintenance	100	1.5 to 2	0.1	X	0.3
		200	3 to 4	0.2	X	0.6
		300	4.5 to 6	0.3	X	1.1
Performance		100	1 to 1.5	X	X	0.6
		200	2 to 3	X	X	1.2
		300	3 to 4.5	X	X	1.9
Broodmare	Open/Pregnant	100	1.5 to 2	0.1	X	0.3
	to 8 months	200	3 to 4	0.2	X	0.6
		300	4.5 to 6	0.3	X	1.1
	Pregnant -	100	1 to 1.5	X	0.1	0.5
	last 3 months	200	2 to 3	X	0.2	1
		300	3 to 4.5	X	0.3	1.5
	Lactation	100	1.5 to 2	X	X	1.2
		200	3 to 4	X	X	2.3
		300	4.5 to 6	X	X	3.4
Stallion	Breeding	100	1 to 1.5	X	0.1	0.6
		200	2 to 3	X	0.2	1.2
		300	3 to 4.5	X	0.3	1.9
	Non-Breeding	100	1.5 to 2	0.1	X	0.3
		200	3 to 4	0.2	X	0.6
		300	4.5 to 6	0.3	X	1.1
Growing (Mature weight- 200 lbs)	Nursing Foal	-	-	X	X	-
	Weanling	60	0.6	X	X	1
		80	0.8	X	X	1.2
		100	1 to 1.5	X	X	1.3
		120	1.25 to 1.75	X	X	1.4
	Yearling	140	1.5 to 1.75	X	X	1.5
		160	1.75 to 2.25	X	X	1.6
		180	2 to 2.5	X	X	1.5

Because of their small size, miniature horses are easy to overfeed and this can cause obesity. Obesity in horses can cause founder, decreased performance and decreased reproductive efficiency.

Feed according to recommendations by weighing your hay and feed to prevent overfeeding and obesity.

Feed at regular times, at least twice daily in equal amounts; don't' feed more than 0.5% of body weight per meal for any feed products.

Do not provide EquiMin Horse Mineral or other mineral products available free-choice to prevent enterolith formation.

Using a kitchen measuring cup for Triple Crown and Legends feeds, ¾ cup = ¼ pound, 1½ cups = ½ pound and 3 cups = 1 pound.

Miniature horses should be fed 1.5% to 2% of their body weight daily to meet requirements for maintenance (example: 200-lb miniature horse fed 3 to 4 lbs daily). Feed good quality hay at a minimum of 1% of body weight daily plus a supplement or feed to meet nutritional requirements.