Jump to content

Miniature horse: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ce Use
Line 3: Line 3:
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.
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]].
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]].


They are commonly kept as family pets. Some have been trained as [[service animal]]s, and others for sporting activities such as [[driving (horse)|driving]], [[equine agility]] and other competitive [[horse show]] events.
They are commonly kept as family pets. Some have been trained as [[service animal]]s, and others for sporting activities such as [[driving (horse)|driving]], [[equine agility]] and other competitive [[horse show]] events.

Revision as of 08:49, 20 August 2022

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 family pets. Some have been trained as service animals, and others for sporting activities such as driving, equine agility and other competitive horse show events.

History

Miniature stallion with mares and foals

Miniature horses originated in Europe, where there is written and iconographic documentation of them from the late eighteenth century.[3]: 168 [4] The English began using small ponies in their mines after the Mines and Collieries Act 1842 prohibited the use of young children as mine workers. Shetland ponies were most frequently seen, although any small, strong ponies that would fit in the small mine shafts were used as pit ponies.[citation needed]

The Falabella was developed in Argentina in the mid-1800s by Patrick Newtall. When Newtall died, the herd and breeding methods were passed to Newtall's son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Juan 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]

The South African Miniature Horse was developed in South Africa and has a wide range of conformations represented in its population. Some resemble miniature Arabians, while others appear to be scaled-down versions of draft horses.[6] Wynand de Wet was the first breeder of miniature horses in South Africa, beginning his program in 1945 in Lindley, South Africa. Other breeders soon followed, with many using Arabian horses in their breeding programs. In 1984, a breed registry was begun, and the national livestock association recognized the South African Miniature Horse as an independent breed in 1989. There are approximately 700 miniature horses registered in South Africa.[7]

Characteristics

Miniature horse stallion

Miniature horses are generally quite hardy, often living longer on average than some full-sized horse breeds; the usual life span is from 25 to 35 years.[8] However, there are also some health issues that are more frequently found in miniature horses than their full-sized relatives. Overfeeding is a common problem in miniature horses, leading to obesity; this is especially true when owners are used to owning full-sized horses. Dental issues, including crowding, brachygnathism (overbites) and prognathism (underbites) are frequently seen, due to having the same number of teeth in a much smaller mouth. They can also experience retention of deciduous teeth (baby teeth) and sinus problems from overcrowding. The combination of a propensity for overeating and dental problems can lead to an increased occurrence of colic. A major metabolic problem seen more frequently in miniature horses is hyperlipemia, where an appetite-reducing stressor can cause the body to break down significant amounts of fat, overwhelming the liver and potentially leading to liver failure. Reproduction is also more difficult in miniature horses, with a higher incidence of difficult births and a greater potential for eclampsia. The majority of the health problems seen more frequently in miniature horses are easily rectified with proper feeding and maintenance.[9]

Use

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.[3]: 170  They may participate in events such as halter (horse conformation), in-hand hunter and jumper, driving, liberty, costume, obstacle or trail classes, and showmanship. A small number have been trained as guide horses for blind people;[3]: 170 [4][10] some people, particularly from Muslim cultures, may consider dogs unclean but accept horses.[11]

See also

References

  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 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". International Museum of the Horse. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  5. ^ Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 183–184. ISBN 9780806138848.
  6. ^ Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 385. ISBN 9780806138848.
  7. ^ "History" Archived August 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Miniature Horse Breeders' Society of South Africa. Accessed April 28, 2014
  8. ^ "Miniature Horse Facts", Guide Horse Foundation. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  9. ^ The Miniature Horse: More Than Just a Smaller Horse. The Horse. January 13, 2013. Accessed April 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "Horses in the house". Guide Horse Foundation. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  11. ^ Seeing-eye horse guides blind Muslim woman, MSNBC, retrieved February 8, 2012

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miniature horse.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Miniature_horse&oldid=1105442311"