From curled feet to walking on ankles, it would take a lot to shock horsewoman Birgitta Wilkinson after years of rescuing miniature horses from neglect.
But years as a natural performance hoof care specialist has led her to see the worst of the worst in the mini world. The sweet and curious miniatures are often purchased as a novelty, with oblivious owners unaware that the sometimes mischievous creatures can be a challenge to keep fenced in and need to have their diets monitored so sweets and rich grasses are kept to a minimum.
"My business is as a hoof care specialist and so I started rescuing the minis – who were getting the short end of the stick ... people started asking me if I'd take their minis and I couldn't say no," explained Wilkinson.
For years, the horse educator has offered monthly sessions called the Mighty Mini Program. For a cost of $50 per family, participants can spend up to two hours petting, playing and cuddling with the Spirit Stone Ranch minis (there are currently 11 of them), where the proceeds help to cover the cost of fencing, feeding and veterinary expenses for the rescued brood. She also adopts minis out to the "right families."
"What an awesome opportunity to use the ponies and pair them up with children who don't have the opportunity to be around them," said Wilkinson, who regularly hosts clinics through her business Success With Horses on educating horse owners about the importance of natural hoof care – including the restrictions of horse shoes on growth and blood flow and the problems that result from this "archaic" human interference.
She also educates horse owners on the importance of keeping horses on a simple diet with minimal treats and sugar that can wreak havoc on their digestive systems. Her minis are fed straw with a little bit of hay mixed in.
Wilkinson said she has taken in too many horses, particularly miniatures, who have suffered from founder – the common and painful condition technically known as laminitis that results when the folds of tissue connecting the pedal bone to the hoof become inflamed.
Founder may have to be treated by a veterinarian or even surgery, but the culprit causing the hoof disease is rich food and lush pasture. In more severe cases, horses must be euthanized.
"High sugar – that's really the kiss of death for these minis," said Wilkinson, gesturing to Shorty – the gelding mini "star of the show" who came to her some six years ago with untrimmed feet so long he was walking on his ankles.
"This is our second time here – we did it about a year ago and she is addicted. She loves Shorty," said Jennifer Penner, pointing to daughter Savannah leading Shorty around the ranch arena.
Wilkinson has kept the Mighty Mini Play Days low-key, due to her busy schedule. But the mother of four grown children has such a passion for the little creatures and the children whose lives they light up that she plans to continue her play days into the foreseeable future.
To learn more, visit The Mighty Mini Program on Facebook or successwithhorses.com.
