<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Temperament<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The temperament of the Miniature Horse is reflected in its personality, as according to the AMHA. The behavior of the breed is characterized by these traits\u2014 curiosity, intelligence, gentleness, sensibility, and willingness to cooperate, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also a breed of horse that is easy to train, though they can be stubborn at times, too. They are often used for driving and equine shows. The Miniature Horse, however, cannot be ridden, which means you will not see them competing in dressage. They are seen in other types of shows and events, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Miniature Horse should be trained like a regular sized horse because they exhibit the fight and flight behavior typical of this animal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Care <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many breeds of horse can live to be around 25 years old, but Miniature Horses can live to be even older than this! The Miniature Horse can easily be 35 years if it is healthy and well taken care of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must care for your horse patiently and extensively to achieve this. Miniature Horses are definitely a breed that has a long list of needs. They have all of the care requirements of regular sized horses, as well as some things that are unique to their breed. For example, Miniature Horses are prone to gaining weight and have certain health problems due to their smaller size.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Diet and Nutrition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horses have a more demanding diet than some other breeds of horse. It is not as demanding when it comes to supplements and nutrients, but the quantity of the diet does need to be more strictly regulated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The calories and amount of food that you are feeding your Miniature Horse should be paid strict attention to since the breed is prone to obesity and gaining weight. These horses do not eat a large amount of food, because of their small size. The rule of thumb here is that the food you are giving your Miniature Horse should be consistent with 1% of their body weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you should ensure that the horse is at a healthy weight before you calculate this amount. The diet of your Miniature Horse should consist of a variety of pasture and fresh hay, as well as some vegetables, fruits, grains, and in some cases, supplements.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Health Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the selective breeding of the Miniature Horses to achieve their small size also means that they do have certain health issues that can crop up pretty commonly. Due to this, the majority of breeding associations will require a DNA test to exclude any potential health problems that would be passed on to registered horses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common genetic issue of this breed is Dwarfism. Dwarfism is considered to be a by-product of breeding small horses, and can be a widespread issue among Miniature Horses. Those horses with Dwarfism can develop other health issues, like scoliosis, arthritis, and depression, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Grooming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grooming is important for Miniature Horses, but luckily, it is quite straightforward! The process of grooming can be very important as it can help you to build a bond with your horse, check them for injuries, and keep them clean and healthy. It is important that you groom your Miniature Horse every day. Every 3-4 weeks, it is also important to wash and then dry your horse every 3-4 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not, then your Miniature Horse may end up developing issues such as skin infections or irritation. Another thing that you should do is brush your horse\u2019s coat each day with a body brush so that you can clean their body and remove any small particles. A curry comb can then be used to remove more serious grease and dirt, as well as to stimulate blood flow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The history of the Miniature Horse is closely tied to the Shetland pony and some breeds of European horse. Both small and Miniature Horses gained popularity in the late 1900s, and the horses were historically used as pit ponies in coal mining, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the ancestors of today\u2019s Miniature Horses may have had to endure the tough conditions in the mine, the Miniature Horses of today have a more luxurious life as beloved pets!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Origin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The American Miniature Horse originated in Europe. The very first Miniature Horse that we have documentation of is a Shetland pony that was imported into America in 1888. However, it is known that the first Shetland ponies were brought into the United States by John Rarey in 1861.The most likely origin of the horses is in the Netherlands and in Britain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Dutch and English ponies are the ancestors of the Miniature Horse\u2014 this breed was bred from the Dutch and English ponies to be even smaller than the horses that were first arriving in New England.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Historic Development  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Miniature Horse has a complex history. In the 1600s and into the early 1700s, they were used as pets for nobility\u2014 not a bad life! However, once the use of children in the mines was outlawed, then Miniature Horses had to say goodbye to their lives as pampered pets and were used as pit ponies in the English mines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, in the 1900s, many Americans began to admire the imported horses from Europe, which made breeding tiny horses again popular. They were used in the coal mines and as pit ponies here, too, but no longer\u2014 now, Miniature Horses are beloved parts of the family again, living out happy lives as pets!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable Miniature Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we went over above, the Miniature Horse breed is one that was kept as a novelty pet for centuries. That being said, they also had plenty of experience as work horses when they were used as pit horses in the coal mines, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, they are still kept as pets, or are used for shows and driving. The pedigree of the breed is also well documented and still exists for some breeds. Some of the famous Miniature Horses are known for things like being the smallest horse in the world, or for being incredibly accomplished at driving.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Einstein <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One famous Miniature Horse is Einstein! He has been a guest star on the Oprah Winfrey Show, which is a hallmark for many celebrities, human or otherwise! Einstein is tiny, even for his breed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stands at just 20 inches high and weighs only 47 pounds, due to his small stature. As they say, everything is cuter when it\u2019s smaller! Einstein has become something of an internet and social media star due to his size and how adorable he is.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another famous Miniature Horse is named Pea. Pea is the smallest horse in the world, even smaller than Einstein at his 20 inches tall! Pea is only 16.5 inches tall, making the record for world\u2019s smallest horse. He is a rescue horse who can attribute his height to his breed, but also to the fact that he was born with Dwarfism. He was so small that he was unable to reach his mother\u2019s udder and was going to be euthanized because of his many health issues. However, Pea was rescued from this fate. Currently, he lives out his days happily, despite his health issues! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shammy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shammy is another famous Miniature Horse who has Dwarfism, like Pea. Shammy lives in Georgia. He is not as small as Pea, measuring a bit over 20 inches instead, and is known for his very loving personality. He is another internet celebrity who has over 5000 fans on Facebook. In addition to his internet fame, he has his own book about him and many visitors come to meet him! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Myths and Legends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of myths and legends that surround the Miniature Horse. However, the thing with myths and legends are that they are not necessarily true\u2014 they can be debunked. Likewise, some of the myths around this breed have been proven incorrect with science, but some others have been proven to be true! This is a breed that has been seen all over the world, even being popular with King Louis XIV of France. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their popularity has not waned, as we are still fascinated by their size and utter cuteness in today\u2019s times. Further on in this article, we will go over some of the interesting stories that are associated with the Miniature Horse breed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eohippus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first breed of horse on Earth was the Eohippus, and is the ancestor of all modern breeds of horse. In addition to Eohippus, they were also called the dawn horse, and belonged to a now extinct group of mammals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They thrived in the areas that are Europe and North America, around 56 million to 33.9 million years ago. Many people used to think that the Miniature Horse breed was directly related to the Eohippus due to their small size. However, this is one of the myths that has been disproven by science.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horses in Versailles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned previously, King Louis XIV, the king of France, was a big fan of the Miniature Horse. He kept Miniature Horses in his menagerie at the Palace of Versailles during the 1650s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to this, he contributed a lot to Miniature Horse history during this time. This is a perfect example of a person who had high status or was considered nobility, and was specifically interested in Miniature Horses that were also bred expressly to be pets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pony Or Horse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another thing is whether a Miniature Horse is considered to be a pony or a horse. The rule of thumb states that, technically, a horse that is under 14.2 hands high is not a horse and would instead be classified as a pony. However, Miniature Horses exemplify the classic horse phenotype with such features as long, thin legs. Because of this, the Miniature Horse is classified as being a horse, not a pony\u2014 despite their small stature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern Miniature Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is not necessarily one type of Miniature Horse, and this is due to the fact that the main focus is put on their size above all else. Coat colors or patterns are not as regulated as the horse\u2019s size or legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horses can come in all different colors and patterns, but of course their uses are more limited since they are not able to carry riders and therefore cannot partake in any events requiring a rider. The modern Miniature Horse is typically used for driving or kept as a pet. They are popular pets, as they are beloved by both adults and children alike!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Breeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was in the 1900s that Miniature Horse breeding became really popular and spread across the globe. There are several breeding associations because of this, but there are two main ones. These are the American Miniature Horse Association\u2014 the AMHA\u2014 and the American Miniature Horse Registry\u2014 the AMHR. The AMHA was founded in 1978, while the AMHR was founded a bit earlier, in 1972. When it comes to breeding, the focus is on the size and height of Miniature Horses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMHR breeding regulations decree that Miniature Horses are between 34 and 38 inches tall. Miniature Horses are measured by the last hair on their mane, rather than their withers, as most horses are measured. Miniature Horses come in tons of different coat colors and patterns. In addition, unlike with Shetlands, the spotted Appaloosa coloring is accepted and celebrated in Miniature Horses!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Population<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horses are very popular all over the world, but surprisingly, their population is not that well documented. The biggest of the breeding societies for this breed are located in North America and in Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons that there may be many Miniature Horses out there that are not registered is because of some of their health issues, which we covered earlier in this article. Many of the horses of this breed suffer from Dwarfism. This is largely due to extensive inbreeding that is sometimes necessary to achieve their small size. Many of the resulting offspring that do have Dwarfism are never registered. Unfortunately, there is no current recorded number of Miniature Horses that is available or published to shed light on how large their population is.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Uses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we have mentioned before, Miniature Horses are too small and light to carry riders, so they are not useful for many equine purposes like show jumping or dressage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even children cannot be carried by a Miniature Horse unless they are very small and light, or very young. Miniature Horses are usually kept as pets or brought to show competitions where they can demonstrate their abilities to pull small carts or demonstrate their physical attributes. This breed can even be house trained when they are pets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The price of a horse is not only the purchase price, which you would usually think of. You also have to factor in all of the costs of caring for the horse throughout its lifetime, for things such as room and board, food, vet visits, and more. Below, we will go over some of the specifics when it comes to the cost of your Miniature Horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horse Purchase Price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Miniature Horses are used as pets worldwide, this is true. However, it is still not as easy to get one as it is to get a dog or a cat! Part of this can be attributed to the level of upkeep required, as compared to that of a dog or cat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices for a Miniature Horse will depend on a few factors, as not all cost the exact same. These defining factors are the health, pedigree, age, and physical data of the horse in question. The average cost for a Miniature Horse gelding is around $1000 to $5000. An unregistered foal can even be as low as $200, but it\u2019s important to remember if buying a foal that Dwarfism sometimes only shows once a horse has matured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n