Critter Creek Ranch

🐴✂️ MYTH vs. FACT: Why do we shave our miniature horses?

❌ MYTH: “They look cuter with a fluffy coat!”

✅ FACT: At Critter Creek, our minis aren’t clipped for looks—they’re clipped for their health and well-being.

Did you know?

🌿 Many of our senior minis have Cushing’s disease (PPID). One of the most common signs is a thick hair coat that doesn’t shed normally. Even during Florida’s hottest months, they can still be wearing a heavy winter coat!

💦 Some of our minis also have anhidrosis, a condition that prevents them from sweating normally. Since horses rely on sweating to cool themselves, they can overheat much more easily.

☀️ Add in a hot, humid Florida summer… and a long, thick coat can become more than uncomfortable—it can become dangerous.

That’s why we clip them. It helps them stay cooler, more comfortable, and better able to handle the summer heat.

❤️ Every horse at Critter Creek receives individualized care based on their age, health, and medical needs. What may look like a simple haircut is actually an important part of their healthcare.

🙌 A special thank you to our incredible volunteers who spent today clipping our minis. Their kindness and hard work help keep these sweet seniors healthy all summer long.

🐴 Fun Fact: A horse’s normal body temperature is about 99–101°F, and they cool themselves primarily by sweating. Horses with anhidrosis can’t regulate their body temperature as efficiently, making shade, fans, fresh water, and clipping essential parts of their care.

Because sometimes the kindest thing you can give a horse… is a haircut. 💚✂️

Playing hairstylist with the minis 😄💈❤️

Did you know rabbits and horses have things in common? Although they differ greatly in size and appearance, rabbits and horses have similar digestive systems and teeth!

Rabbits and horses both depend on fiber like hay to keep the gut moving and prevent their teeth from overgrowing.

Although rabbits are often portrayed eating carrots, hay is the main component (80%) of their diet and should be unlimited. Carrots, on the other hand, should only be a rare treat.

Another thing people may not know about rabbits is they are very social and need plenty of space. Rabbits thrive when kept in bonded pairs.

People sometimes mistakenly think rabbits are simple to care for and make easy pets for children. However, as prey animals, rabbits are easily startled and many don’t like to be held. They are fragile and can be injured if handled incorrectly or dropped.

Rabbits require calm and patience to feel comfortable. Instead of picking them up, get to know them at their level where they feel safe, on the floor.

Rabbits are wonderful pets when their needs are met. Rabbits are incredibly smart, and every rabbit has a very distinct personality. What are your rabbits’s personality traits?