Buying a Miniature Horse

The most important step in buying your first miniature is to decide what you want to do with it.  Geldings make excellent pets, first horses or show horses.

If you are inexperienced with horses it may be beneficial to take someone knowledgeable with you.  The horse should be registered, or able to be registered, with the New Zealand Miniature Horse Association.  Conformation of the horse should be similar to that of a large horse, balanced and symmetrical.  A gentle and affectionate nature is characteristic of a miniature horse.  The size of a foal's parents will give indication to the foals mature height.

Ask to see a horses registration certificate, or its mothers registration certificate.  This will give you an indication of the heights of horses in your potential horses bloodlines.  It is important if you are interested in breeding to take heights of both the horse you are looking at buying, and its bloodlines into account.

For more information see the New Zealand Miniature Horse Association's site (http://www.nzmhaa.co.nz)