by Elizabeth Reeves

Created on: July 22, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Recently I sat down with my mother-in-law and told her I wanted to get my boys a miniature horse.

"Pony," she corrected, quickly.

"No," I responded, "Not a pony- a miniature horse."

To understand the true differences between miniature horses and ponies, one has to look at the history behind the breed that is known as the 'miniature' horse.

The first recorded mention of miniature horses in history were found in a zoo owned by the 'Sun King' King Louis XIV of France. These miniature horses were kept as unusual specimens as early as 1650 AD. The interest in these small horses attracted attention and, within the next century, miniature horses were featured in art and articles.

Miniature horses made their appearance in England around the mid-nineteen hundreds, where their job descriptions ranged from being the companions of royalty to being 'pit' ponies, pulling drays in coal mines.

It was the twentieth century that brought miniature horses to America, where the breed was refined into what they are today.

It should be noted that the Argentinian Falabella and South African Miniature horse are considered to be completely separate breeds from the American Miniature horses.

Though the breed was influenced by pony blood, specifically Shetland ponies, miniature horses are horses bred to showcase their dwarf characteristics. The term 'Miniature horse' was coined in the 1970s, before that these horses were known, in Argentina, as the Falabella, and, in America, as 'Midget ponies'. The name 'Miniature horse' was supposed to give the animals a more attractive 'feel' to buyers.

Worldwide, there are many different registry organizations for the Miniature horses. Some of these registries allow animals that have some pony characteristics, though most require 'horse-like' traits, such as thickness of neck, head shape, etc. This is one of the things that separate miniature horses from ponies- they are supposed to be like horses in conformation, just in miniature proportion. The American Miniature Horse Association claims that, in a photograph, with no size reference, a miniature horse would have the same characteristics and conformation as a 'normal' horse.

Throughout history, Miniature horses have been appreciated for their unique combination of conformation, personality, and size. Today they are used for showing, as pets, and even as companion animals. The intriguing nature of these miniatures of the horse world guarantees them a spot in history for a long time yet.

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