One of the
top questions we get is can mini horses be ridden? The answer is Yes and No. A horse can carry an absolute MAXIMUM of 20% of it's weight.
So with minis, for example, if a mini weighed 300 lbs, he could carry a maximum of 60 lbs,
keep in mind this includes the saddle! ..meaning that the rider would have to
weigh LESS than 60 pounds to accommodate for the weight of english or western
tack.
Although small children may be the appropriate weight and many Miniature Horses are gentle and willing mounts, as with any combination of horse and child, caution is advised.
If you are thinking about getting a mini for your child to ride you must
consider not only the visual height/size of the mini horse, but the conditioning and
the bone structure of the horse. The
smaller mini horses, 34" and less (at the last mane hair at the base of the
withers) are NOT recommended to bear the weight of a rider at all. Your best bet
is to look for a larger nicely boned over 34" preferably a B sized Miniature
Horse, 38" and up to pony size.
Minis are
really not meant for riding unless it's a very small child on lead line; however,
(other than the tinys) they are
extremely adept at learning to drive!
If you want to see miniature horses for yourself, go to a show at the county fair or find a breeder that lives near your home. Some breeders offer shows and wagon rides for visitors during the summer. So take a family trip to visit and learn about this wonderful little kind of horse.
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