MINIATURE HORSES
10 Fun Facts About Miniature Horses
Miniature horses are the tiny and adorable little horses often seen pulling one person carts or participating in therapy work. These little guys are even smaller than ponies (measuring just a maximum of 38 inches high!) and they make great little companion horses. Below are some interesting and fun facts to get to know this little breed a bit better.
1. Despite their small size, minis are considered small horses, not ponies.
While smaller ponies like Shetlands can rival miniature horses for their small size, there are several other distinguishing differences between miniature horses and ponies of any breed.
Ponies are bred to be stocky, with a thicker neck, short legs, and thick fluffy manes, tails, and coats. There are many different breeds and sizes of ponies, ranging from miniature horse size, up to 14.2hh.
Miniature horses are actually bred to look just like tiny versions of a full sized horse, rather than a pony, and typically have the more refined features of a larger horse. Miniature horses usually have a longer neck than ponies, with longer, straight legs. When put side by side with a bigger horse and a pony, they should more accurately resemble the horse's overall appearance.
2. Miniature horse breeders often refer to a mini's height in inches rather than hands.
While most horses are measured in hands (where 1 hand equals 4 inches) it is often considered the norm to measure miniature horses just in inches rather than hands. Minis usually do not exceed 38 inches tall (9.2 hands high) but some people feel that true minis should remain under 34 inches tall (8.2hh.)
3. American Miniature horses are not the only miniature horse breed.
The American Miniature horse is not the first or only tiny sized horse, although they are the most common. A breed called the Falabella is actually the first. Falabellas originated in Argentina, and they are a much more pure breed than American minis due to a higher number of Falabella breeders being diligent about the breed's bloodlines. Falabellas are now found all over the world, although they are a bit harder to find than a regular miniature horse.
4. Miniature horses are the smallest horses on record.
Miniature horses grow to a tiny mature height of no more than 34-38 inches tall (8.2hh - 9.2hh) and are often smaller. A miniature horse named Thumbelina even holds the Guinness world record for smallest living horse at just 44.5 centimetres (17.5 inches) tall!
5. Miniature horses tend to have a long lifespan.
Miniature horses frequently live over the age of 30, with one mini by the name of Angel reportedly even reaching the ripe old age of 50! Miniature horses frequently outlive their larger counterparts, often living up to a third longer than a regular sized horse.
6. They make great therapy horses.
Miniature horses are perfectly sized for kids or people in wheelchairs to groom, touch, or feed treats to, and their size makes them easy to transport and visit people in need. Minis are often a part of animal assisted therapy organizations for people with disabilities. Their friendly, patient nature and less intimidating size makes them ideal for people that are nervous or shy. Some people even take mini horses to hospitals or old age homes to visit sick and elderly individuals and bring a smile to their day.
7. Some miniature horses are trained as service animals to guide the blind.
While not nearly as common as dogs, some miniature horses are being trained as service animals for visually impaired people. Miniature horses are great alternatives to dogs for certain people, as they have a much longer lifespan than dogs, and are suitable for horse lovers or people that may be allergic to dogs. Miniature horses are small enough to walk the streets and come in the house if needed, but they typically live outdoors at home. For more information about guide horses, check out guidehorse.com.
8. They come in more colors than most other horse breeds.
While most horse breeds can be found in just a handful of colors, miniature horse colors can be very diverse and range from classic, solid colored blacks, bays, chestnuts, etc, to just about any color or pattern imaginable. They even come in unique colors like cremello, pintaloosa, champagne, and perlino. You can also find them with various patterns and markings such as pinto, and even with leopard spots all over their body like an appaloosa horse.
9. They can take part and compete in several different sports and activities.
While miniature horses are not usually big enough to ride (aside from very young/small kids) there are still several activities they can learn and take part in. Minis are common for driving, and are able to pull a small, one person cart around solo. They can also pull bigger carts in pairs or groups. Registered, show quality mini horses can also be shown in hand at miniature horse shows.
Some people compete in high jumping events with their mini (running alongside the horse.) In addition, they can learn cute tricks, and some people teach them to run agility courses like a dog! They are also used as therapy or guide animals (as mentioned above.)
10. Their height is not measured at the withers like a big horse.
Regular sized horses and ponies are measured at the withers (the highest point between a horse's neck and back.) Miniature horses however are typically measured a little bit differently. Rather than the withers, they are measured slightly further down the back, right at the point of the last hair at the base of their mane.
Miniature horses are the tiny and adorable little horses often seen pulling one person carts or participating in therapy work. These little guys are even smaller than ponies (measuring just a maximum of 38 inches high!) and they make great little companion horses. Below are some interesting and fun facts to get to know this little breed a bit better.
1. Despite their small size, minis are considered small horses, not ponies.
While smaller ponies like Shetlands can rival miniature horses for their small size, there are several other distinguishing differences between miniature horses and ponies of any breed.
Ponies are bred to be stocky, with a thicker neck, short legs, and thick fluffy manes, tails, and coats. There are many different breeds and sizes of ponies, ranging from miniature horse size, up to 14.2hh.
Miniature horses are actually bred to look just like tiny versions of a full sized horse, rather than a pony, and typically have the more refined features of a larger horse. Miniature horses usually have a longer neck than ponies, with longer, straight legs. When put side by side with a bigger horse and a pony, they should more accurately resemble the horse's overall appearance.
2. Miniature horse breeders often refer to a mini's height in inches rather than hands.
While most horses are measured in hands (where 1 hand equals 4 inches) it is often considered the norm to measure miniature horses just in inches rather than hands. Minis usually do not exceed 38 inches tall (9.2 hands high) but some people feel that true minis should remain under 34 inches tall (8.2hh.)
3. American Miniature horses are not the only miniature horse breed.
The American Miniature horse is not the first or only tiny sized horse, although they are the most common. A breed called the Falabella is actually the first. Falabellas originated in Argentina, and they are a much more pure breed than American minis due to a higher number of Falabella breeders being diligent about the breed's bloodlines. Falabellas are now found all over the world, although they are a bit harder to find than a regular miniature horse.
4. Miniature horses are the smallest horses on record.
Miniature horses grow to a tiny mature height of no more than 34-38 inches tall (8.2hh - 9.2hh) and are often smaller. A miniature horse named Thumbelina even holds the Guinness world record for smallest living horse at just 44.5 centimetres (17.5 inches) tall!
5. Miniature horses tend to have a long lifespan.
Miniature horses frequently live over the age of 30, with one mini by the name of Angel reportedly even reaching the ripe old age of 50! Miniature horses frequently outlive their larger counterparts, often living up to a third longer than a regular sized horse.
6. They make great therapy horses.
Miniature horses are perfectly sized for kids or people in wheelchairs to groom, touch, or feed treats to, and their size makes them easy to transport and visit people in need. Minis are often a part of animal assisted therapy organizations for people with disabilities. Their friendly, patient nature and less intimidating size makes them ideal for people that are nervous or shy. Some people even take mini horses to hospitals or old age homes to visit sick and elderly individuals and bring a smile to their day.
7. Some miniature horses are trained as service animals to guide the blind.
While not nearly as common as dogs, some miniature horses are being trained as service animals for visually impaired people. Miniature horses are great alternatives to dogs for certain people, as they have a much longer lifespan than dogs, and are suitable for horse lovers or people that may be allergic to dogs. Miniature horses are small enough to walk the streets and come in the house if needed, but they typically live outdoors at home. For more information about guide horses, check out guidehorse.com.
8. They come in more colors than most other horse breeds.
While most horse breeds can be found in just a handful of colors, miniature horse colors can be very diverse and range from classic, solid colored blacks, bays, chestnuts, etc, to just about any color or pattern imaginable. They even come in unique colors like cremello, pintaloosa, champagne, and perlino. You can also find them with various patterns and markings such as pinto, and even with leopard spots all over their body like an appaloosa horse.
9. They can take part and compete in several different sports and activities.
While miniature horses are not usually big enough to ride (aside from very young/small kids) there are still several activities they can learn and take part in. Minis are common for driving, and are able to pull a small, one person cart around solo. They can also pull bigger carts in pairs or groups. Registered, show quality mini horses can also be shown in hand at miniature horse shows.
Some people compete in high jumping events with their mini (running alongside the horse.) In addition, they can learn cute tricks, and some people teach them to run agility courses like a dog! They are also used as therapy or guide animals (as mentioned above.)
10. Their height is not measured at the withers like a big horse.
Regular sized horses and ponies are measured at the withers (the highest point between a horse's neck and back.) Miniature horses however are typically measured a little bit differently. Rather than the withers, they are measured slightly further down the back, right at the point of the last hair at the base of their mane.