by Emme Setter

Created on: November 07, 2009   Last Updated: November 08, 2009

The Miniature Horse is one of the most misunderstood modern horse breeds. Often mistaken for a pony or dwarf, Miniature horses are actually exactly what their name states, a miniature horse. Though the difference between a horse and pony is usually based on save- a pony being any equine under 14.2 hands high, certain breeds like the miniature horse and the Caspian horse fall below this measurement but are proportionally equal to a horse., thus considered small horses and not ponies.

Miniature horses descend from a broad array of horses and ponies including the Shetland, Caspian, Dartmoor and Andalusian breeds, there is much speculation as to what other breeds may have impacted the early development of this tiny breed. Miniatures where first documented in the seventeenth century when they where breed as pets for European royalty. Soon after, their size was exploited and they went from lap dogs of the rich to cart horses in coal mines. When the miniature pony reached the U.S in the 20th century it was Americanized by introducing breeds like the Pony of the Americas and the Hackney pony to it's genealogy.

Along side the development of the Miniature Horse we see most commonly in the U.S. was the development of another miniature horse, the Falabella Miniature Horse of Argentina. The Flabella has influenced the look of many of today's miniature horses but is considered a rare breed because of the stringent rules for registration. Developed in the Nineteenth century the breeding stock has changed very little from it's original due in most part to limited breeding lines allowed.

To qualify in most Miniature horse registries there is a height restriction, this typically is any horse under 34-38 inches. After height, they are grouped by body type, the draft type and the more classical refined type. Miniatures come in every color, they can be solid, paint or spotted and any variation of thanks to the introduction of the colorful Pony of the Americas. The ideal Miniature meets the height requirement, has a friendly and outgoing personality and enjoys the company of people. In the miniature horse world, there is also such a thing as too small. The dwarf horse though cute and small often is plagued with health problems like deformation, heart defects and joint issues, they are denied breeding privileges in ALL registries and the select breeding of dwarfs is frowned on by almost everyone.

The friendly demeanor and easy to manage size is what really makes the miniature stand out as a therapy and assistance animal, not to mention a great first mount for young children and an able cart horse. They excell at many jobs and can be shown in a variety of classes from halter to jumping and driving. Because of their size they are ideal for teaching small children basic horse skills safely and make wonderful companions to both people and other horses.

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