Hobby

Miniature horses are very different from standard breeds, and before you decide to purchase and raise a miniature, you should research the traits of the horse. What are the major differences between a miniature horse and a standard breed? Does the size of the horse affect its stability and health? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself in researching miniatures.

The first miniature horses were bred in Britain in the 1600’s as pets for the English nobility, though some were used as pit ponies in coal mines. These 17th century beasts were approximately 38 inches high. Later, in the 1860’s, a man named Newell in Argentina began to breed a form of the horses. He used imported miniatures to breed with other small breeds, like Shetland and Welsh ponies to shrink the horses, as well as to perfect the features and characteristics of what came to be called the Falabella miniature horse, named after the son-in-law to which the practice was passed upon Newell’s death.

These horses were also bred with small thoroughbreds for greater strength and speed. However, in order to maintain a consistent small size, miniatures were severely inbred, causing health issues to abound. In choosing miniatures for your collection, you should be sure to have the animals evaluated by an expert or even a veterinarian to determine any possible health risks in the horse.

Today, for competition purposes, horse shows require separate categories for miniatures, as they cannot properly be compared to their larger relatives. They often compete in the same disciplines, though, as standard horses. There are “A” and “B” sized categories, with “B” horses being between 35-38” high, and “A” size being no more than 34” tall. Any horse exceeding 38” in height cannot qualify for the miniature horse categories.