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{{Short description|Very small horse}}
'''Miniature horses''' are found all over the world and come in various colors and styles.
[[File:Miniatuurpaardje.jpg|thumb|At the Agriflanders [[agricultural show]] in [[Ghent]] in 2009|alt=a very small pale chestnut horse]]
The miniature [[horse]] is a "height" breed; they are a mix of bloodlines that have been bred down over a number of years.
[[File:Miniature Horse Show.jpg|thumb|At Agriflanders in Ghent in 2007]]
A '''miniature horse''' is a [[list of horse breeds|breed]] or [[type of horse]] characterised by its small size. Usually it has been [[selective breeding|bred]] to display in miniature the [[morphology (biology)|physical characteristics]] of a full-sized horse, but to be little over {{convert|100|cm|-1|abbr=on}} in height, or even less. Although such horses have the appearance of small horses, they are genetically much more similar to [[pony]] breeds such as the [[Shetland (pony)|Shetland]].{{r|cabi|p=486|}} They have various colors and coat patterns.


Miniature horses are present in several countries, including Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Namibia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.{{r|dad}} In some countries they have the status of a [[breed]]; these include the [[Falabella]] of Argentina, the [[Dutch Miniature]] or {{lang|nl|italic=no|Nederlands Mini Paard}}, the South African Miniature Horse and the [[American Miniature Horse]].
Traditionally, there are two classes: ''A'' for horses under 34 [[inch]]es and ''B'' for horses between 34 and 38 [[inch]]es in height.
[[image:Miniature-horse-0008.jpg]]


They are commonly kept as [[companion animal]]s, or for sporting activities such as [[driving (horse)|driving]] or other competitive [[horse show]] events. A few have been trained as [[guide horse]]s for [[blind people]].
==External links==

*[http://www.amha.org American Miniature Horse Association]
==History==
*[http://www.shetlandminiature.com/amhr.shtml American Miniature Horse Registry]
[[File:Mini-ponei(REFON).jpg|thumb|At a show in [[Avaré, São Paulo]], Brazil]]
*[http://www.minihorseworld.com Mini Horse World - international miniature horse community]
Miniature horses originated in Europe, where there is written and [[iconographic]] documentation of them from the late eighteenth century.{{r|dutson|p=168|imh}} In the first half of the twentieth century small horses were bred in England by Lady Estella Mary Hope and her sister Lady Dorothea.{{r|dutson|p=168}}

The [[Falabella]] was developed in [[Argentina]] in the mid-1800s by Patrick Newtall. When Newtall died, the herd and breeding methods were passed to his son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Falabella added additional bloodlines including the [[Welsh Pony]], [[Shetland pony]], and small [[Thoroughbreds]]. With considerable inbreeding he was able to gain consistently small size within the herd.{{r|hendricks|p=183}}

The South African Miniature Horse was bred in South Africa from about 1945, when Wynand de Wet of [[Lindley, Free State|Lindley]] began [[selective breeding]] of Shetland stock. In 2011 there were about 700 of the horses in the country. [[Morphology (biology)|Morphology]] is variable: some have an [[Arabian horse|Arab]] appearance, while others have the [[equine conformation|conformation]] of a [[draft horse]]. A [[breed association]] was established in 1984, and in 1989 the South African Miniature was recognized by the national [[South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association]].{{r|samh}}

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Charming.JPG|thumb|[[American Miniature Horse]] stallion]]

Miniature horses are generally quite hardy. They often live for longer than is typical for full-sized horses of some breeds; the usual life span is from 25 to 35 years.<ref name=facts>[http://www.guidehorse.com/faq_horses.htm Miniature Horse Facts]. Guide Horse Foundation. Accessed April 28, 2014.</ref>

Their predisposition to disease is markedly different from that of full-sized horses. They are only rarely affected by ailments such as [[laryngeal hemiplegia]], [[osteochondrosis]] or [[navicular disease]], all of which are common in larger horses,{{r|rebecca|p=xii}} but are much more likely to develop other illnesses rare in large horses, such as [[hyperlipaemia]] — which may lead to [[hepatic lipidosis]] — or [[eclampsia]].{{r|rebecca|p=xii|ceh|p2=6}} [[Dental misalignment]] and overcrowding are more common than in larger horses: [[brachygnathism]] ("parrot mouth") and [[prognathism]] ("sow mouth") are often seen;{{r|rebecca|p=53}} retention of [[deciduous teeth|caps]] can occur, as can infection of the [[paranasal sinuses|sinuses]] associated with [[tooth eruption]].{{r|rebecca|p=55}} Poor mastication can contribute to an increased incidence of [[horse colic|colic]] caused by [[enterolith]]s, [[faecolith]]s, or sand.{{r|ceh|p=5}}

== Use ==
[[File:Guide horse.jpg|thumb|A miniature [[guide horse]]]]
Miniature horses are commonly kept as companion animals. They are often too small for any but the smallest riders to ride, but are well suited to [[driving (horse)|driving]]; some may participate in other [[horse show]] events.{{r|dutson|p=170}} A small number have been trained as [[guide horse]]s for [[blind people]], particularly for those who consider dogs unclean, as is common in [[Muslim]] cultures.{{r|dutson|p=170|imh|nbc}}

==See also==
* [[Miniature cattle]]

==References==
{{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=cabi>Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). [https://books.google.it/books?id=2UEJDAAAQBAJ&hl=en ''Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding''] (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. {{isbn|9781780647944}}.</ref>

<ref name=ceh>[s.n.] (December 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20131206151406/http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/docs/horsereport/pubs-Dec2012-sec.pdf The Miniature Horse: More Than Just a Smaller Horse!]. ''CEH Horse Report''. Davis, California: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Archived December 6, 2013.</ref>

<ref name=dad>[https://www.fao.org/dad-is/browse-by-country-and-species/en/ Browse by species and country]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.</ref>

<ref name=dutson>Judith Dutson (2005). ''Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America''. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. {{isbn|9781580176132}}.</ref>

<!---ref name=ghf>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130127013333/http://www.guidehorse.com/horses_house.htm Horses in the house]. Guide Horse Foundation. Archived January 27, 2013.</ref--->

<ref name=hendricks>Bonnie Hendricks (2007). [https://books.google.it/books?id=CdJg3qXssWYC&pg=PA183&hl=en ''International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds'']. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. {{isbn|9780806138848}}.</ref>

<ref name=imh>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150323212116/http://imh.org/exhibits/online/american-miniature-horse American Miniature Horse]. Lexington, Kentucky: International Museum of the Horse. Archived March 23, 2015.</ref>

<ref name=nbc>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210801125000/https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/seeing-eye-horse-guides-blind-muslim-woman-flna1c9465263 Seeing-eye horse guides blind Muslim woman]. ''NBC News''. Archived August 1, 2021.</ref>

<ref name=rebecca>Rebecca L. Frankeny (2008). [https://archive.org/details/miniaturehorsesv0000fran/page/n12/mode/1up ''Miniature Horses: A Veterinary Guide for Owners and Breeders'']. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing. {{isbn|9781570763984}}.</ref>

<ref name=samh>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110814042428/http://www.saminiaturehorse.co.za/index.php?p=2 History]. Bloemfontein: The South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association. Archived August 14, 2011.</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
{{commons|Miniature horse}}
{{refbegin}}
* R.L. Blakely (March 1985). Miniature Horses. ''National Geographic'' '''167''' (3): 384–393. {{issn|0027-9358}}.
{{refend}}


[[Category:Horse breeds]]
[[Category:Horse breeds]]
[[Category:Types of horse]]
[[de:Falabella]] [[sv:Falabella]]

{{bots|deny=Citation bot}}

Latest revision as of 19:18, 20 November 2024

a very small pale chestnut horse
At the Agriflanders agricultural show in Ghent in 2009
At Agriflanders in Ghent in 2007

A miniature horse is a breed or type of horse characterised by its small size. Usually it has been bred to display in miniature the physical characteristics of a full-sized horse, but to be little over 100 cm (40 in) in height, or even less. Although such horses have the appearance of small horses, they are genetically much more similar to pony breeds such as the Shetland.[1]: 486  They have various colors and coat patterns.

Miniature horses are present in several countries, including Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Namibia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.[2] In some countries they have the status of a breed; these include the Falabella of Argentina, the Dutch Miniature or Nederlands Mini Paard, the South African Miniature Horse and the American Miniature Horse.

They are commonly kept as companion animals, or for sporting activities such as driving or other competitive horse show events. A few have been trained as guide horses for blind people.

History

[edit]
At a show in Avaré, São Paulo, Brazil

Miniature horses originated in Europe, where there is written and iconographic documentation of them from the late eighteenth century.[3]: 168 [4] In the first half of the twentieth century small horses were bred in England by Lady Estella Mary Hope and her sister Lady Dorothea.[3]: 168 

The Falabella was developed in Argentina in the mid-1800s by Patrick Newtall. When Newtall died, the herd and breeding methods were passed to his son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Falabella added additional bloodlines including the Welsh Pony, Shetland pony, and small Thoroughbreds. With considerable inbreeding he was able to gain consistently small size within the herd.[5]: 183 

The South African Miniature Horse was bred in South Africa from about 1945, when Wynand de Wet of Lindley began selective breeding of Shetland stock. In 2011 there were about 700 of the horses in the country. Morphology is variable: some have an Arab appearance, while others have the conformation of a draft horse. A breed association was established in 1984, and in 1989 the South African Miniature was recognized by the national South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association.[6]

Characteristics

[edit]
American Miniature Horse stallion

Miniature horses are generally quite hardy. They often live for longer than is typical for full-sized horses of some breeds; the usual life span is from 25 to 35 years.[7]

Their predisposition to disease is markedly different from that of full-sized horses. They are only rarely affected by ailments such as laryngeal hemiplegia, osteochondrosis or navicular disease, all of which are common in larger horses,[8]: xii  but are much more likely to develop other illnesses rare in large horses, such as hyperlipaemia — which may lead to hepatic lipidosis — or eclampsia.[8]: xii [9]: 6  Dental misalignment and overcrowding are more common than in larger horses: brachygnathism ("parrot mouth") and prognathism ("sow mouth") are often seen;[8]: 53  retention of caps can occur, as can infection of the sinuses associated with tooth eruption.[8]: 55  Poor mastication can contribute to an increased incidence of colic caused by enteroliths, faecoliths, or sand.[9]: 5 

Use

[edit]
A miniature guide horse

Miniature horses are commonly kept as companion animals. They are often too small for any but the smallest riders to ride, but are well suited to driving; some may participate in other horse show events.[3]: 170  A small number have been trained as guide horses for blind people, particularly for those who consider dogs unclean, as is common in Muslim cultures.[3]: 170 [4][10]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. ^ Browse by species and country. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Judith Dutson (2005). Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176132.
  4. ^ a b American Miniature Horse. Lexington, Kentucky: International Museum of the Horse. Archived March 23, 2015.
  5. ^ Bonnie Hendricks (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806138848.
  6. ^ History. Bloemfontein: The South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association. Archived August 14, 2011.
  7. ^ Miniature Horse Facts. Guide Horse Foundation. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Rebecca L. Frankeny (2008). Miniature Horses: A Veterinary Guide for Owners and Breeders. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing. ISBN 9781570763984.
  9. ^ a b [s.n.] (December 2012). The Miniature Horse: More Than Just a Smaller Horse!. CEH Horse Report. Davis, California: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Archived December 6, 2013.
  10. ^ Seeing-eye horse guides blind Muslim woman. NBC News. Archived August 1, 2021.

Further reading

[edit]
  • R.L. Blakely (March 1985). Miniature Horses. National Geographic 167 (3): 384–393. ISSN 0027-9358.